New research links TV advertising and prolonged sitting with the fattening of America. By replacing TV time with activity, you can lose over 104 pounds a year.
One of the easiest ways to lose weight and keep it off is to turn off your television. According to the A.C. Neilson Company, the average American watches four hours of television every day, or 28 hours a week—the equivalent to a part-time job.
The Dangers of Sitting
The dangers of sitting were recently explored in “Can the Rat Race Keep You Fit,” ACE Fitness Matters Magazine (March/April 2008). Writer Jim Gerard profiled a study on the dangers of sitting conducted by scientists at the University of Missouri and published in Diabetes (Nov. 2007).
The study revealed that when people sit, lipase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down fat and removing it from the bloodstream, simply shuts down. This leaves fat floating around in the blood, raising cholesterol levels and gumming up arteries.
Worse, when this fat does finally pass through the walls in the bloodstream, it gets sucked right into the adipose tissue, thus adding to fat stores so quickly that even regular exercise isn’t enough to burn it off. The only solution, don't sit for prolonged periods of time.
The Power of Suggestion
According to JAMA's, "The Hidden and Potent Effects of Television Advertising," (April 2006) grocery stores, restaurants and fast food chains and other food manufacturers spent $7 billion dollars on advertising in 1997 which contributed to America's expanding waistlines.
Researchers discovered graduate students who watched TV consumed an extra 163 calories per day and reported eating despite not feeling hungry. Worse, the food consumed was similar to what had been advertised, meaning high-fat, high-sugar, salty, processed foods.
Strictly Calories
To lose one pound of fat, the body needs to burn an extra 3,500 calories. Watching burns approximately 50 calories an hour while walking, for example, burns about 250 calories per hour. How does this add up?
Calories Burned During 4 Hours of TV Watching= 250
Average Excess Calories Consumed = 163
Daily Weight Gained = .05 pounds
Yearly Weight Gain = 17 pounds
Versus:
Calories Burned During 4 Hours of Walking = 1,000
Average Excess Calories Consumed = 0
Daily Weight Lost = .29 pounds
Yearly Weight Lost = 104.3 pounds
Walking has a plethora of other health benefits that watching television doesn't offer. Walking improves cardiovascular health and fitness, muscle tone, reduces stress, elevates the mood and is a great way to get out into the community and meet people.
Can’t Give Up the TV
Try reducing the amount of time you spend watching TV. Start by logging how much TV you watch, then set a goal to replace one or more hours each day with physical activity. For maximum success, don’t eat in front of the TV and don't sit still for more than an hour or two. By turning off your television, you'll be on your way to a happier, healthier you.
