All Dressed Up for Sitting Down
by Sherri L. Dodd
zone3
There is a saying that you should dress for success. Most usually,
this phrase implies fine suits, designer shoes and any extra accessory
that you can add to the ensemble. This is because when you hear the word
success, most people visualize wealth and its preceding occupation. In the
fitness world, dress for success means something different. Not
necessarily success from a different type of job, but instead fitness
success through your method of dress. This is due to that fact that
studies have linked casual dress at work to more calories burned while
doing normal day to day activities.
For many women with jobs such as those in the media, management
positions, bank tellers and even the glamorous gals behind the counters at
your favorite department store, tight skirts, constrictive collared
blouses and high heels are common thread. In the past, I have also shared
in the cruel wardrobe during the many years while I worked for a large
corporation and various other professional jobs. As the day progresses and
your time-efficient tootsies have begun to swell, sometimes you prefer the
sanctity of your stabilized desk rather than the crushing sensation of
body weight in heels against the earth. Sometimes even a much-needed trip
to the restroom is postponed for the sake of avoiding the walk of what
seems like burning coals.
In addition to sore feet, there is also
the social lunch hour. A welcomed colleague luncheon may bring plenty of
laughter, but the resulting swollen tummy in your form-fitted skirt may
beg for shelter beneath the edge of your desk. Pair the two together and
it is a recipe for activity avoidance. This lack of interest in,
literally, going the extra mile may contribute to sedentary tendencies
while in the workplace, which can indeed lead to weight
gain.
American Council on Exercise decided to study the activities
of employees and their activity levels based on daily attire. The findings
were relevant to expectation – an eight percent increase in caloric
expenditure in the subjects that wore casual and comfortable clothing.
These casually-dressed participants took more steps throughout the day,
including stairs over elevators, and subsequently, more calories were
burned. This was solely based on time in the office and does not include a
visit to the gym. In addition, this study was conducted in the colder
seasons. The researchers agree that there could be as much as a 15-20%
increase in steps taken in the warmer months, which would equal a total of
23-28% increase in activity of those that dress casually to work.
While the studied percentage may seem insignificant, it does
offsets the nation’s average annual weight gain of .4 to 1.8 pounds. If
this does not encourage you to seek out better means of your professional
presentation, you may want to also consider less foot trauma and the
decline of irregular inner thigh contractions from putting off that
lingering urge to visit the ladies room.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sherri Dodd is the creator and author of Mom Looks Great - The Fitness
Program for Moms. She is also an ACE-certified Personal Trainer and a
Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant with over fifteen years of
exercise experience. She is dedicated to a life of fitness as well as
encouraging others to establish healthy habits and a better quality of
life.
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