Exercise and Weight Loss: 7 Ways to Reduce Your Screen Time

Sedentary behaviors are things you do while you are sitting still. Decreasing your sedentary behaviors can help you lose weight. For most people, the best way to decrease sedentary behavior is to reduce the time they spend watching TV and using a computer and other electronic devices. All of these activities are called "screen time."

Some ways to decrease screen time are:

• Choose 1 or 2 TV programs to watch, and turn off the TV when they are over.
• Do not keep the TV on all the time for background noise -- you might end up sitting down and watching it. Turn on the radio instead. You can be up doing things around the house and still listen to the radio.
• Do not eat while you are watching TV or surfing the web.
• Take the batteries out of your TV remote control and get up to change the channel.
• Before you turn on the TV or your computer, take your dog or a neighbor’s dog for a walk. If you are going to miss your favorite show, record it.
• Find activities to replace TV-watching. Read a book, play a board game with family or friends, or take an evening cooking class.
• Work out on an exercise or yoga ball while you watch TV. You will burn calories. Or, set up a stationary bike or treadmill in front of your TV and use those while you watch.

If you like playing video games, try games that require you to move your whole body, not just your thumbs.

For more tips and information on exercise and weight loss, visit our online Weight Loss Health Guide at franciscanstmargaret.org/weightloss.

Source: ADAM Weight Loss SmartSite