Why up to 86% of the Global Population is Sedentary
And 3 tips to help you get out of being sedentary
The World Health Organization documented that 65-86% of the population is sedentary. This is a cause for action because physical inactivity has been documented to be one of the top 10 leading causes of death and disability — globally.
Why People are Sedentary
We know that sitting all day, smoking, and drinking alcohol are not-so-good practices. That exercising and participating in physical activities is a good practice. So how come 80% of adolescents and 27% of adults in America are considered sedentary today?
Because it’s hard work to be active. It’s one downside of the industrial revolution.
It’s difficult to begin a fitness journey. The resistance is at its highest then. The longer the postponement of engaging in physical activity, the harder it becomes to overcome the invisible barrier to start or begin again. And once the metaphoric ball starts crawling and rolling, it usually get easier.
More accurately, it gets less difficult. But that’s still a win for me.
To help you start today, here are 3 tips to get out of a sedentary lifestyle.
This might be controversial opinion but don’t go all in (tip no. 1). We’re playing the long game here. At least for those of you who have read this far into the post. And sprinting will only get you so far (in life and in a marathon).
Additional tips:
Related to tip no. 1 so it’s not a tip in itself — Be responsible when beginning your journey.
This doesn’t mean getting the latest gadgets or shoes or OOTD-worthy attire. It means getting enough sleep, food, and water before each session. And it means having a plan before beginning a workout. I recently published an article on Medium discussing a week-long, beginner-friendly, and cost-effective exercise blueprint.
Start small.
Ten minutes a day, one kilometer a day, 250 steps per hour. Then slowly increase from there. Consistency is king, but it doesn’t mean that you should push 100% everyday. Observe the 80/20 rule.
Find a sport of form of exercise that excites you.
Preferably one with a community (where you can meet new friends) or one you can do with old friends. You don’t have to stick to one. Experiment. See what suits you and what doesn’t. This/these sport /s will keep you on track.
Exercise can be in the form of a lot of things.
Walking the dog. Finishing a full body workout at the gym. Swimming for 30 minutes. Mowing the lawn.
Although the best case scenario to achieve “150 minutes per week of moderate intensity” is by actually dedicating time and energy for workouts, examples like those above shouldn’t be overlooked. It can be an excuse for mediocrity and laziness — so don’t let it be one.
Start somewhere today. Don’t be part of the 86%. Lower that number. When you finish this last sentence, get off the chair and walk it out — even for just a minute. Be like Doug Judy.
