hunching over, and muscles in your body going
without use for hours. Studies are finding that
although a regular workout routine helps, it
won’t combat the constant weight on your
rump. Although some offices are moving
toward healthier options, such as convertible,
stand up/sit down desks, or treadmill desks (if
you have the skill to think and walk at the same
time), most of us have to face our chairs every
day. What a pain!
There are ways to prevent the negative
effects, such as stiffness and poor circulation, of
constant sitting.
• Get up and move! If you find yourself
sitting for extended periods of time, you
need to break the habit. Schedule an alarm
for every 30 minutes to get up and take a
lap around your office. Manage your time
effectively by going to pick up your paper
from the printer or grabbing a glass of
water. Even better? Visit a co-worker to
talk about a project instead of sending an
email.
• Establish proper sitting habits. Keep your
back straight, feet at 90 degrees, and eyes
level with the top of your computer screen.
Make sure your shoulders aren’t hunched
when resting your elbows on your desk to
type.
• Stretch in place. Adding stretching to your
daily routine is beneficial for anyone. Stand
up and do a few stretches at your desk to
get your muscles loosened up and moving.
Feeling spunky? Add a few jumping jacks
in to get your heart rate pumping for some
extra energy.
• Realize how much sitting you do. Sitting
for eight hours at your job has negative
effects on your body, but going home and
sitting on the couch for the rest of the
night doubles those effects, increasing
cause for concern. If you have a sedentary
job, make a point of taking a walk when
you get home or spend some time on your
feet with your kids or at the gym. Keeping
active during breaks and on the weekends
will help combat negative effects from the
workweek.
HEART HEALTH—SKIP THE
SUGAR!
Heart disease is the number-one killer of all
Americans, but awareness of the disease and its
causes has allowed for a decrease in the number
of deaths associated with it in recent years.
Eating well and exercising are obvious ways
Abby Says...
“
to prevent the onset of heart disease, but a
recent study by the Journal of the American
College of Cardiology looks at another
culprit that has damaging effects on your
heart: sugar (fructose). According to the
study, one to two servings of sugary drinks
per day raises a person’s risk of heart disease
by 35 percent. It is important to be cognizant
of sugar intake, as it can often sneak into your
diet unnoticed. Men should only consume
about 37.5 grams of added sugar (think
coffee drinks, sodas, yeast breads, cereals,
fruit drinks) per day, while women should
stay around 25 grams. Starting out the day
with a latte, frozen beverage, or soda could
add anywhere from 20 to 63 grams of sugar
in just 12 ounces! Make sure to stop and
think before you consume added sugar for
the sake of your heart health, because sugar
isn’t as sweet as it seems.
Don’t be le f ” t
in t he cold!
C a ll Us!
PA7311
724-837-HEAT
johnsonsheating.com
BEST FOOT FORWARD
After hours of physical abuse from
constant pounding and tapping, your feet
deserve a break! Feet take a constant beating
every day, and we often blame foot pain on
a long day on our feet or shoes with poor
support. Foot pain may be caused by other
problems in your body that shouldn’t be
ignored.
Keep tabs on your feet by:
• examining your feet regularly
• wearing comfortable shoes that fit
properly and offer plenty of support
• keeping your toenails trimmed straight
across
• allowing your feet to air out after being
in shoes.
Talk to your doctor if you are
experiencing:
• joint stiffness
• tingling or numbness
• swelling
• discoloration or bruising
• inability or limiting of physical tasks due
to foot pain. ■
Design Studio
Kitchen Bath + Flooring
Expert Design
Service
u Hardwood &
Laminate Flooring
u Custom Tile &
Slab Shower
Surrounds
u Ceramic &
Porcelain
Tile
u
u Granite & Quartz
Countertops
u Hand-Crafted
Cabinetry
u Kitchen & Bath
Fixtures
602 S. Urania Avenue • Greensburg
724.838.8453
Greensburg Salem | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 19