It was a syndrome that was unheard of in my growing up years. I first encountered the term “couch potato” in Archie Comic Digest and asked my mom what it meant. Even then she was not very clear about it, but now everyone knows what it means. In fact most people have a resident instance who lives with them.
So how do you get a couch potato, who sits all evening nonstop staring at the TV screen and eating snacks almost non-stop, to do little things that will help you lose weight?! It may surprise you but making just a few small piece changes can give you a routine that is much healthier than the one you are currently following. I will outline some changes that can be made and if followed and maintained, will definitely result in weight loss.
A sofa is bad enough but a bed is even worse. Please don’t keep your TV in your bedroom. it’s a bad idea. Not only does this increase the amount of mindless and mind-numbing programming you watch, but it also affects the amount of time you sleep. In fact it lowers the quality of your sleep if you are sharing a room with someone who keeps on surfing channels even though not a single program is worth watching.
When you place the TV and its accessories in a neutral room or common living area, keep the remote control of the TV, DVD player, etc. above the TV even after switching it on. Every time you want to change the channel, get up off the couch and change it. A positive side effect for the wives would be that the husbands would have to limit their power surfing of channels to the duration they want to stand near the TV.
Change food to healthy food. Take popcorn instead of potato chips. Include some cucumbers with freshly squeezed lime juice and salt in the menu. Carrots cut into pieces and served with yogurt based dip is also a good option in winters. Serve your snacks in style in a plate; Do not enter directly into the packet.
During commercial breaks, get up and walk around the room instead of watching the same ad on repeat indefinitely. Do some stretches. A regular serial break involves standing up and touching your toes (if you can reach them) ten times. I’ve tried it and it’s possible at the last moment. Since it is possible according to inclination, it will depend on you.
Sit in the correct straight posture even when you are watching the program. This is to avoid unnecessary pressure on your spine and will burn more calories than lying in a chair. Also if you can spread the mattress on the floor instead of sofa then you will burn more calories while sitting and getting up. Try and wiggle your toes, swing your arms and legs, really do whatever you can to avoid being completely inactive.
Quite simple and effective to implement the change.
Source by Cashmere Lashkari
