Why we suck at not sitting all day


We all know that sitting for hours is bad for our health.

Not only physical (increasing our risk of getting a heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, persistant pain, etc.) but mental. We're simply not made to sit so much.

So why do we suck at moving more?

My theory is this:

We were told in our 20s that sitting is bad, but “an increased risk of heart disease” scares absolutely no one in their 20s. It’s too far away, too vague. We were also told we should start planning our retirement, and we all know how that went.

So we created the habit of sitting all day. For a simple reason: it’s more comfortable, more convenient to do ur work.

And then we got to our 30s... and suddenly we start paying the price:

“Oh no, my back hurts”

“Oh no, I’m depressed”

“Oh no, I’ve put on 20 kilos”

So we get a standing desk, but we use it once a year, because the habit we created 15 years ago is just too strong.

So we decide that it’s just the way it is. We’re getting old, and it’s normal to be in pain.

BUT IT’S NOT.

I promise you two things:

  1. It's not normal.
  2. You can absolutely fix the damage without sacrificing your comfort

It’s just a matter of building a healthier routine. A routine that you love and that fits seamlessly into your life.

And it’s so, so worth it. Let me help ✊

In this podcast episode, I shared why we don't do what we know we should be doing, and how it has nothing to do with laziness (so please stop feeling guilty over it).

And if you want support to build a healthier routine, reply to this email or write to me on WhatsApp with a few words describing your situation. I'll tell you if I can help and how :)

Om, peace 🧡

Clem

Clémence Dieryck

I'm a bilingual yoga teacher who helps people who sit a lot gain mobility, move without pain and reduce their stress.

Read more from Clémence Dieryck

You had a routine, and it was working pretty well. And then something changed in your life. A move, a new job, a baby, a separation. And the habits you had built simply fell apart. Now, when you look back at what you used to do, you think: I'll never get back to that. It's a common situation for my clients (and soon for me as well I'm sure 😁) It's disheartening, for sure, but I still have good news. It's not a willpower problem, you're not lazy. It's very, very normal. Our habits are neural...

Normal X-rays. Normal scans. Normal blood tests. And yet you're in pain. In a specific place, here or there, sometimes all over... And it can last for months, even years. You've seen specialists, done all the tests, and every time you get the same answer: we can't find anything. If that's ever been your experience, let me be so clear: "We can't find anything" doesn't mean it's imaginary. It doesn't mean you're exaggerating. And it definitely doesn't mean nothing can be done. Our understanding...

So, two weeks ago I went on a ski trip for the first time in my life. I knew it would be hard to learn how to ski at nearly 40, but what I underestimated was the FEAR. The fear of falling itself, but also the fear of falling down the mountain, the fear of losing control of my speed, the fear of falling again where I’ve already fallen. I’m a big scaredy-cat in general, and that REALLY tested me! But I did it, I cried a lot, I learned a lot, I had a horrible time and a wonderful time. And I...