As the efficiency and necessity of technology penetrates society more and more, the number of people working from behind a computer screen is growing exponentially. We all need a paycheck. That’s the reality. While I’ll never tell anyone that their job “isn’t worth it”, I do believe it’s crucial for those who sit the majority of their 8+ hour work day to understand the consequences their body may suffer in the long run. A few of the risks associated with careers that keep people sitting too long include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression and chronic pain. We often associate these issues with aging, but the truth is that they are far more influenced by a person’s lifestyle than their age. So what kind of lifestyle should you adopt in order to prevent these issues? A lifestyle in which you are physically active 150-300 minutes per week; that’s 30-60 minutes each day at least 5 days a week. What kind of activity “counts” toward these minutes? To be honest, nearly anything, so long as you’re putting in an honest effort, [so no, walking hand-in-hand with a toddler likely won’t cut it, but a brisk walk-and-talk with a neighbor will!]. Pick any activity, group exercise class or workout program you’d like! The only thing I’d say you need to do is dedicate at least 60-minutes of your weekly activity to strength training - that could be two 30-minute strength training sessions, or three 20-minute sessions per week - and you should aim to train each major muscle group twice a week. Why do I say strength training is a necessity? For a few reasons: 1. It helps maintain our bone density [prevents osteoporosis/broken bones as we age]. 2. Strength training specifically is associated with decreased risk of certain chronic diseases like diabetes and some cancers. 3. It prevents and/or corrects muscle imbalances that result from sitting too long/with imperfect posture and can often lead to chronic joint, back and neck pain or even injury. So as far as quality of life, [living injury, pain and disease-free], I strongly encourage you to make strength training a habit - especially if you’re generally inactive at work. Long story short, don’t sacrifice your well-being while earning your retirement! Prioritize your health and wellness now so that you can truly enjoy your retirement later.