“Working Retail & on my feet!”

01 Feb “Working Retail & on my feet!”

Hey Walkers … you are close to a 5K today … the iVillage Walk Challenge continues to be STRONG!!!! Go to iVillage.com for the fun!

And how many of us can relate to casee56?  From the Ask Leslie boards ….

I work retail and spend 10 hrs a day on my feet very little sitting. I spend most of the day walking and standing. Does this help me at all?

Well hi there casee56!

Oh …absolutely your “on-your-feet” working day is a blessing in my opinion …. thank goodness you are on your feet and able to stand and walk to get your work done!  The other side of that is so challenging for our health … you see … many jobs force us in a chair for “hours” … it’s so UN-NATURAL!!!  Our bodies were designed for movement (muscle & bone are for moving) …. sitting for hours is not what the human body should be doing most of the day … but it’s how our modern world has evolved!  Computers, technology does much of our physical work … I believe this is the reason that 67% of Americans have more weight than they need for good health – overweight and obesity rates climb higher and higher – I just don’t believe we over-eat constantly – or even the “super-size” portions debate – large portions are an issue … but weight sneaks up on everyone when muscles are not used as they were designed …. period! WHEW!!!! That wonderful topic sent me on a rant … I love it!

Now … back to what you can do with a very busy 10 hr. “retail” job work day!  I think short sessions of cardio and short sessions of strength training would make you feel so strong and not “beat up” at the end of the day!  Here’s a weekly suggestion …

Mon./Wed./Fri/ – about 15 minutes – Strength Training 2 exercises each for -legs-back-chest-arms-core (2 sets 12 repetitions)

Tues./Thurs. – about 12 to 16 minutes – cardio Intervals – Do Walk/Jog cycles – 3 min. walk / 1 min. jog

Do a 5 minute Warm Up Walk before the intervals and a 5 min. Cool Down Walk and stretch after!

Weekends – make them active – a 2 Mile Walk in the park, ride a bike, etc.

You can get up 15 mins. early and get these routines done early in the day … or fit them in mid-day or directly after work … any time you exercise IS THE RIGHT TIME!

Even with an “on your feet” job … we all need targeted exercise to keep a strong, healthy foundation for many years to come!

Hope this helps doll!

On the way to Philly – QVC today … hope we get in before the big storm!!! If we get there … we’ll be Power Walking with Jayne and Pat in the 7 AM EST Morning Show tomorrow Feb. 2!  Groundhogs everywhere … start walking!