Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness, and Early Death--and Exercise Alone Won't” as Want to Read:
Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness, and Early Death--and Exercise Alone Won't
by
This groundbreaking new medical work demonstrates how modern sedentary lifestyles contribute to poor health, obesity, and diabetes, and how health can be dramatically improved by continuous, low-intensity, movement that challenges the force of gravity. Citing her original NASA research on how weightlessness weakens astronauts' muscles, bones, and overall health, the author
...more
Paperback, 150 pages
Published
November 3rd 2011
by Linden Publishing
(first published January 1st 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Sitting Kills, Moving Heals,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Sitting Kills, Moving Heals
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness, and Early Death--and Exercise Alone Won't
When I read Sitting Kills - Moving Heals by NASA scientist, Joan Vernikos a lot clicked! Maybe not the best written book on planet earth but the relentless message is challenging. Day to day my challenge -- our challenge -- is to stand up to gravity.
When I stand; when I lift weights or jump; when I get out of bed in the morning or dance or bounce up and down on a scooter -- I'm pushing hard against gravity.
...but when I sit down at the computer or vege out or sleep I'm pushing a lot less.
Think a ...more
When I stand; when I lift weights or jump; when I get out of bed in the morning or dance or bounce up and down on a scooter -- I'm pushing hard against gravity.
...but when I sit down at the computer or vege out or sleep I'm pushing a lot less.
Think a ...more
Jul 15, 2013
Nina
added it
So it took awhile to finish this book. But it is well worth reading. I later heard the author speak and she told a "Stand up every 20 minutes" that I still tell to everybody!!!
...more
There's quite a bit of good, sound, evidence-based exercise data in here, and good recommendations based on the author's original research at NASA (some of which I've read in peer-reviewed journals). Unfortunately, it's interspersed with anecdotes and unsupported pseudoscience. This results in a book that is equal parts enlightening and infuriating. ...more
Aug 31, 2012
Tamahome
marked it as to-read
podcast interview: http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/th...
two words: erectile dysfunction!
I'm like halfway through. This is actually an ex nasa employee who compares astronauts weightless in space with us on earth doing extended periods of sitting, ending up with similar effects, only faster in space. It's simple to fix though, just get on your feet more often. I don't see the advantage of a standing desk though, especially if you already have varicose veins. Even at home now I get up with ever ...more
two words: erectile dysfunction!
I'm like halfway through. This is actually an ex nasa employee who compares astronauts weightless in space with us on earth doing extended periods of sitting, ending up with similar effects, only faster in space. It's simple to fix though, just get on your feet more often. I don't see the advantage of a standing desk though, especially if you already have varicose veins. Even at home now I get up with ever ...more
This is an eye-opening book about sitting too much, even if you hit the trail, gym, or rock climb an hour or two a day, you are still in danger. A simple, easy, and very workable solution to move every 20 minutes. Move it! :)
Dec 08, 2013
Cindy
added it
Great book...need to own my own copy! Gives simple, everyday things to do to stay in shape.
This is the most important book I’ve read so far on long term physical health, mobility, and fitness. It’s changed my daily habits and exercise philosophy dramatically.
For long term physical health and functionality, physical activity frequency and consistency are everything. Intensity and volume are secondary. That hour of intense exercise every morning, in the long run, will not compensate for the debilitating effects of a sedentary lifestyle the other 23 hours of each day. We need to be movi ...more
For long term physical health and functionality, physical activity frequency and consistency are everything. Intensity and volume are secondary. That hour of intense exercise every morning, in the long run, will not compensate for the debilitating effects of a sedentary lifestyle the other 23 hours of each day. We need to be movi ...more
Boring Science Book
Part 1 was almost a science textbook on gravity, especially in relation to space travel. Part 2 was some practical applications that could have been made more practical. The best thing about this book is the truism title. Not much new or helpful to me otherwise.
Part 1 was almost a science textbook on gravity, especially in relation to space travel. Part 2 was some practical applications that could have been made more practical. The best thing about this book is the truism title. Not much new or helpful to me otherwise.
Gravity. Astronauts. Low-impact movement. Balance. NASA Life Sciences Division.
I like to keep a "collection" of quotes on different topics and these 2 by Hippocrates, the father of medicine ("above all, do no harm") , are among my favorites.
"Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food".
"Walking is a man's (and woman's) best medicine".
For all the wisdom of the ancient Greeks, including philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, the 2 quotes above seem, to me, among the wisest observations ever preserved from the "cradle" of Western Civilization.
Even thou ...more
"Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food".
"Walking is a man's (and woman's) best medicine".
For all the wisdom of the ancient Greeks, including philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, the 2 quotes above seem, to me, among the wisest observations ever preserved from the "cradle" of Western Civilization.
Even thou ...more
** Originally posted at www.bunnycates.com **
After seeing author John Green’s video on getting himself a treadmill desk, I really started paying attention to how much I sit every day.
He was right. I, my whole family – actually, sit a ridiculous amount of time each day! A few days after his video got me to thinking about my fitness, or lack there of – I was contacted by Quill Driver Books and offered this book to review. Coincidence? I think not! lol.
According to USA TODAY a recent study showed t ...more
After seeing author John Green’s video on getting himself a treadmill desk, I really started paying attention to how much I sit every day.
He was right. I, my whole family – actually, sit a ridiculous amount of time each day! A few days after his video got me to thinking about my fitness, or lack there of – I was contacted by Quill Driver Books and offered this book to review. Coincidence? I think not! lol.
According to USA TODAY a recent study showed t ...more
Astronauts suffer a great deal of physical deterioration when in space. They lose bone density rapidly. Their muscles become weaker. Their immune systems are suppressed. Their sleep is disturbed. Many of the symptoms experienced by astronauts are similar to those associated with aging on Earth. It seems the absence of gravity that causes physical harm in space is often replicated on Earth by lack of physical activity. When we live a sedentary lifestyle, we are not using gravity to our advantage.
...more
Quite a different perspective detailing the importance of achieving a healthy lifestyle. Joan Vernikos, PhD. is the former Director of NASA's Life Sciences Division and uses research from NASA to substantiate key point that activity is a fundamental tool to being healthy. The reader is already aware of the fact that life today with all the modern conveniences does not equate with an active lifestyle. Instead it can foster a more sedentary lifestyle. This book presents a guide to living a natural
...more
I sit WAY too much in a typical day, although I do try to get in three - five hours of formal exercise each week. According to this author, and based on studies related to astronauts returning from weightlessness in space, gravity has a huge role to play in keeping us healthy, and if we oppose gravity by spending too much time in bed or sitting, our muscles and bones deteriorate, and we will have balance and strength problems as we age. The solution? Get up, walking around, stretch, play, swing,
...more
A slim book. The take-away I was most impressed with is the statement that short periods of standing, interspersed with sitting or reclining were most important to readapt to normal 'gravity' fitness after an extended period of weightlessness, forced bed rest in convalescence, or continuous sitting, 32 periods of standing for as little as 2 minutes at a time each day, more effective than continuous exercise or standing for an hour at time 3 to 5 times per week. Very interesting contrast to the c
...more
I don't have a lot to add to what the description and other reviewers have said. I enjoyed the insight into what we take for granted all the time: every cell in our body is designed to interact with gravity; when we change position/posture every cell adjusts. Her recommendations for health seem to boil down to keeping every cell adequately stimulated by gravity. Examples: If you sit at a desk, stretch or hold your elbows certain ways (p.62), change posture several times a day (as in, stand up fo
...more
A quick read and very informative about what effects come from living in zero gravity and the experiences of astronauts. It truly makes the scientific case for doing anything that resists gravity, even if it means simply getting up from the lay-z-boy. The cover convinced me to read it and pass it on to my elderly father. It indicates that the conventional idea of exercise is not enough, we really must incorporate movement in our daily habits. As an instructor, this also puts in a vote for active
...more
One of the most important books I have read in a long time. We are meant to be perpetual movement machines. Most of us aren't. We sit all day looking at a screen, come home to relax in front of the TV and then go to sleep. This book demonstrates why it is so important to move, to stand and do it everyday. I use a standing desk at work now, walk more, move more, do yoga and I feel so much better. Really a life changing book.
...more
A great insight into why going against our natural instincts is (understandably) harmful to your health. Combines scientific insight with practical steps and plans on how to keep moving in your daily life and don't let the lures of sedentary modern comfort attract you! It's subtitle could have been: how not to end up like the fat people in Wall-E.
...more
Read this for our work lit circle. It is full of unsupported, unscientific opinions and I think promises good health for minimal effort to sell books.
In my opinion, eating healthy is most of the battle- maybe 85%, maybe 5% core work- yoga/Pilates and 10% weights and cardio. Anything that promises too much from doing little is just trying to sell you something.
In my opinion, eating healthy is most of the battle- maybe 85%, maybe 5% core work- yoga/Pilates and 10% weights and cardio. Anything that promises too much from doing little is just trying to sell you something.
"The human body is designed to be much more physically active than most of us are today.........The state of health in the world is deteriorating. In the US two out of every three people are unhealthy. This alarming trend must be stemmed and reversed, or it will cripple personal health, national vitality, and resources. Something needs to be done."
...more
...more
Interesting assessment of what really helps: is it exercise, stretching, balance...and how much and how often? A quick read or flip-through will give you some good ideas for staying healthy and on your feet!
This is such an important book - especially for anyone heading towards their 70s and beyond when loss of body muscle impacts health in so many ways. When I was researching for "Eat to Cheat Ageing" this book inspired me. A must read for anyone who wants to live well in their later life.
...more
I love that this is written by a former NASA scientist.
I may have to be adolescently oppositional and read it while sitting.
I may have to be adolescently oppositional and read it while sitting.
This is an interesting perspective, thinking about how to make gravity your ally as you age.
A quick read with easy, every day ways in which to keep your body moving, active and healthy.
Very interesting, especially to one who loathes the idea of exercise. I've been stretching more. Really.
...more
Aug 02, 2012
Donna J.
added it
Thought-provoking . . . . puts things I've read in other places and makes a strong case for exercise and to "keep moving".
...more
Some helpful ideas, a useful book.
Oct 16, 2012
Sue
added it
R
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
News & Interviews
Readers have a lot to look forward to this year! Just feast your eyes upon all of these debut books to check out and emerging authors to...
77 likes · 31 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“We know from previous bed-rest studies that bicycling on a horizontal ergometer for as little as 30 minutes a day, even without getting out of bed, was enough to maintain stamina.”
—
0 likes
More quotes…
