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Prevent the Negative Side Effects of Sitting With This Guide

Leta Shy — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:07:35 PDT

Like it or not, many of us spend lots of time planted in that office chair. And as a result, we can suffer everything from tight muscles to even more serious aches and pains. But a little preventative effort goes a long way. Read on for your guide to sitting correctly - read this, your body will thank you!

Source: Thinkstock

Don't Take It Sitting Down

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:00:00 PDT

We all know that being sedentary doesn't burn up the calories like going for a run, but sitting down all day may be worse for you than you think. New research on the simple act of sitting indicates that our fat burning enzymes actually turn off if we are seated for extended periods of time. Long bouts of sitting can also slow down your metabolism and lower your beneficial HDL cholesterol. It seems like we just weren't meant to sit at a desk all day long.

These three reasons alone should be enough motivation to help you move about throughout your day. Here are a few ideas for getting up and out of your chair. Try to walk at lunch or for your coffee breaks. Don't send an e-mail, get up and talk to your co-worker face to face. Stand while you talk on the phone, or pace and talk if you're able. Why not throw in a few exercises while you're at your desk? Here are ways you can work it, while at work too.

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Sit All Day? You Can Still Be Healthy

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Let's face it: most of us are more sedentary than we want to be. We're desk-bound at the office, and sitting during our commutes. All this sitting is not exactly the best for your body. Not moving around translates to fewer calories burned throughout the day, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Sitting for more than eight hours a day can also cause back pain, a tense neck and shoulders, and leg cramps. Sixwise offers some tips on keeping your body and mind healthy while on the job.

Check your posture and your desk set-up. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor, and if you type at a keyboard, your hands, wrists, and forearms should also be parallel to the floor. Make sure your chair is padded yet firm, so the natural curve in your spine is supported and you're not sinking into your seat.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a big office buzz word, so you want to work on preventing this and other injuries by avoiding repetitive motions. If you use a mouse, purchase a new one that places your hand and wrist in a different position (like a vertical mouse). Try to rearrange the things on your desk often, like your coffee cup or your pens, so you have to reach for them with a different hand.
Just because you sit at a desk all day doesn't mean you're glued to your seat. Be sure to stand up and move around every 20 minutes or so, for at least 30 seconds. Do some desk stretches, take a walk to visit your co-worker, or go to the kitchen to refill your glass of water. Not only will this circulate blood to your muscles, but it'll also prevent boredom.

For more desk tips,

Sitting Upright...Not So Good for Your Back

FitSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Back pain is the most common complaint of office workers in the US. And go figure, the problem might just be their perfect posture.

In a recent study, 22 healthy volunteers had their spines scanned with an MRI while sitting in 3 different positions. The position causing the least amount of undue stress on the vertebral disks was a relaxed position, with 135 degrees between the top of the thighs and the spine. Sitting upright, with the excellent posture our mothers and/or ballet teachers drilled into our heads, created the most stress on the vertebral disks, even more than the position of having a 70 degree angle between the legs and spine. I would have to argue though, that slumping forward with a rounded spine is worse than sitting upright. Slouching forward stretches the ligaments that structurally support the spine and keeps the muscles that should support the spine in a stretched position so they can not functionally help stabilize your vertebra.

This image from a BBC News article illustrates the positions best. Do note: In all positions the participants have back support and both feet on the ground (just in case you want to experiment with your work station).

Fit's Two Cents: I think that we just aren't really made to sit 10 hours a day like many of us do. We evolved as a species to be hunter-gatherers, which means walking around a lot and squatting (no chairs forcing our spines into a 90 degree angle from our legs) when we needed to take a load off our spines. So walking around as much as you can during the day is always a good idea. Your back will love it, and chances are, your mind will to.

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Since Sitting is So Bad For Us...

FitSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:30:00 PDT

We've all heard how bad sitting in a chair all day is - Well G-Tech has addressed this problem.

No this woman is not at the dentist - she's working on her computer on the ergonomic Neber chair designed in Korea. It tilts you back, so the weight is distributed evenly throughout your body, instead of being focused on your lower back and bum (as with regular sitting).

This "Lazy Boy Recliner meets works station" could revolutionize the work place, creating happier, healthier men and women. Instead of complaining about their aching backs, workers can complain about their work load.

I have to say I would love to try one of these chairs since I am at the computer for so many hours in a row - how about you? Tell me in the comments section below.

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A Reader Recipe: Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Fit Community — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:27:50 PST

If you've got a cookie craving, you're in luck: FitSugar readers Pure2raw recently shared this gluten-free chocolate chip cookie cake with us in our Healthy Recipe group.

Everyone loves cookie cake, right? We have a chocolate chip cookie cake that is not only gluten-free but egg- and dairy-free, too. It is full of flavor with a great soft, cakelike texture. Plus the three-ingredient coconut frosting is too good not to try.

Get the recipe after the break!

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Show PDA at Her Exclusive Birthday Bash

Lauren Turner — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:42:09 PST

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux embraced on the balcony of the Chateau Marmont in LA during Jennifer's 43rd birthday party on Saturday. The couple kissed and hugged when they weren't chatting with friends or sitting down to eat. We're used to seeing Jennifer in a bikini around this time of year, but it looks like she's making new traditions with her man Justin. There was no shortage of pals on hand to toast Jennifer, though, since Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, Christine Taylor, and Courteney Cox were among the guests spotted at the event.

The celebratory weekend kicked off on Friday, when Jennifer and Justin met a friend for dinner. Their fun will continue on Valentine's Day tomorrow since Jennifer and Justin are set to premiere their new movie, Wanderlust, in LA. The comedy doesn't hit theaters until next week, but Jennifer is already apparently lining up her next big screen project with rumors that she'll star in the best friend drama Miss You Already.

Celebs Show Off Their Style From the Front Row at NYFW

Hannah Weil — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:13:34 PST

Fashion Week is in full swing - as is celebrity attendance. As front-row fixtures and party guests, these styled celebs only further the glamour of New York Fashion Week. Highlights include Twilight star and DKNY face Ashley Greene sitting front row at the brand's runway show, Olivia Palermo at Tibi, and a cute and colorful Solange at Diane von Furstenberg. You never know who you'll see cropping up at Fashion Week - click through to see who else we spotted thus far.

Sam Claflin Reveals Musical Connection to Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

Molly Goodson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:48:22 PST

Sam Claflin is one of Kristen Stewart's two leading men in the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman, which hits theaters June 1. We stopped by the London set of SWATH in October to sit down with the cast and crew and learn a little bit more about the highly anticipated dark retelling of a classic fairy tale. Sam, who plays Prince William in the film, is relatively new to the big screen after making his debut in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides last year. While on the SWATH set, Sam shared this cute story about having the same taste in music as Kristen and a connection they made through a favorite singer:

Kristen [Stewart] has just starred in

David and Harper Show Their Support For Victoria Beckham at Her NYFW Presentation

Lauren Turner — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:30:28 PST

Today is a big day for the Beckham family since Victoria showed her latest collection at NY Fashion Week. The presentation, which took place at the NY Public Library, was packed with famous faces including Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Victoria's husband, David. He was spotted carrying Harper into the show, though he had his hands free to take pictures while sitting in the front row. The Victoria Beckham collection featured plenty of sexy dresses, but there was one super-sweet addition since Victoria named a handbag after her 7-month-old daughter, Harper.