It has been estimated that just the simple act of getting up to change the channel, adjust the sound or to turn the TV off helped to use up enough energy for one whole kilo of body fat. People also watched less TV because there was less, a lot less. No breakfast programs or daytime programs and only three channels to choose from. Every station shut down over night and this was usually before midnight unless it was a Saturday night and the station was showing a black and white horror film.
Watching TV sends your brain into a relaxed state that is almost hypnotic. This is why it feels like it is more energy to turn it off and go to bed than to stay there watching the screen even though your eyelids keep closing and you know that you need to get some sleep. Then when you start to get ready for bed you find yourself more awake than when you were watching TV but this is only because you have been released from your hypnotic state.
With endless channels and a remote it is possible to remain motionless on the couch for hours at a time, only disturbed by the call of nature and to collect more high fat and high sugary snacks and drinks on the way back. Research also shows that you learn far more reading than you do watching TV, despite all those 'educational' channels.
Next time you watch TV make a note of how many times you use the remote and from this how much exercise you would have gained without one. Every time you use the remote you could do one squat or one press up or just stand up and wiggle on the spot and sit down again. Your cardiovascular system will thank you for it and so will your brain.
TV: watch responsibly!
love
Sarah
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