The American Diabetes Association is hoping to inspire people to get up and get moving with its second annual "Get Fit Don't Sit Day" Wednesday.
The goal is to encourage people up out of their chairs on the job and at home, and move at least once every 90 minutes.
Americans are sitting for as many as 13 hours a day — sitting at a desk job, sitting in the car commuting, sitting on the couch at home watching TV.
There is increasing evidence that sitting for prolonged periods of time is bad for your health.
Sitting for more than eight hours a day is linked to an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and early death, according to a recent analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine. And while getting regular exercise helps, exercise does not eliminate the impact of excessive sitting.
The bottom line: Sitting too much could be shortening your life.
Ideas for moving more during the day include taking a walk around the building, choosing the stairs over the elevator and simply refilling the water bottle at the cooler down the hall. For more information about the "Get Fit Don't Sit" initiative go to, http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/wellness-lives-here/mission-engagement-days/
Here are 10 ways to get moving throughout your day:
1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator at the office.
2. Hold a walking or standing meeting.
3. If you take public transportation to work, get off one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way to your office.
4. Use a speaker or mobile phone so you can pace around your office during conference calls.
5. March in place while waiting for the printer
6. Stand up and stretch at your desk for a few minutes.
7. Do some chair exercises while at your desk.
8. Walk to someone’s office instead of sending an e-mail.
9. Walk to the water cooler for a refill.
10. Take a break with a quick walk around your office.
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