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Swap It, Don't Stop It
Why Swap?
Health professionals will tell you that an increase in your waistline increases your risk of some cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
In Eric’s case, his main reason for losing weight are his wife Erica and their two kids. He’s got too much to live for.
Statistics show that Eric’s not alone with his increased waistline. In 2007-08, the proportion of Australian adults who were overweight or obese had grown to 61%, up from 56% in 1995.
If you’re concerned about your personal health or waist measurement, please talk to your health practitioner.
Health Risks
Being an unhealthy weight impacts on our health in many ways, some of which aren’t always immediately obvious.
For parents with active children, it can limit their ability to participate in playtime with their kids.
And, it can inhibit our ability to sleep comfortably, which can result in tiredness and a lack of concentration during the day.
But while most of us acknowledge that being overweight isn’t healthy, we probably don’t fully appreciate the dangers it represents. Unhealthy eating and a lack of physical activity can lead to an increased risk of developing a chronic disease such as some cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Swap Tips
Throughout your day, there are little swaps you can make that’ll help reduce your waistline. To start out, you might just aim to make one swap during each part of the day and then slowly build from there.
Once you begin, you’ll find it’s easier than you think. Remember, you don’t have to stop it, just swap it!
Physical Activity Swaps
- Swap an email or phone call for a face to face chat
- Swap making an internal phone call for talking to your colleague face-to-face
- Swap sitting for standing on Public Transport
- Swap the car for the bike
- Swap the car park closest to the entrance for one further away
- Swap the lift/escalator for the stairs
- Swap waiting for the bus for walking to the next bus stop
- Swap getting off public transport at the front door for getting off a few stops before
- Swap standing on the escalators for walking up the escalator or taking the stairs
