Now, stand up to lose weight

Tired of sitting on the chair? Just stand up, and remain standing for some part of the day, if you want to lose weight. Yes, you read it right.
A recent study conducted in the UK, says that people who prefer standing and doing their work, are more likely to lose calories than people frequenting the gym or dieting. Though the idea seems achievable for city-based gym enthusiasts, fitness experts remain divided by the opinion, when it comes to the new ‘stand up’ exercise.It can be of worth, they feel, only when some movement is done while standing.
For city-based fitness enthusiasts, the ‘stand up exercise’ is achievable as it is ‘easy and different’. “I wouldn’t mind standing for some time of the day. As the entire day, we sit, either on the bike while coming to work or at home while watching TV. And if it is helping us to be in shape, then it is always a welcome move,” says Natasha Rodrigues, a fitness enthusiast. So will it reduce the attendance in gyms? “It is a far-fetched thought that ‘stand up exercise’ will be the next best thing to working out. But, yes, if it is helping people reduce weight and be fitter, then one can try it at home for some hours as standing increases blood flow,” says Shraddha Godbole, a doctor.
Elaborates fitness expert Tushar Ramanan, “Standing, for me is a lazy man’s activity where you don’t do any kind of physical movement. So it cannot be an enterprising exercise as it doesn’t develop flexibility, nor does it increases the strength of muscles.” Also, the stand up exercise can only be possible and is fruitful, if one makes some movement while standing.
“Simply standing will not help as it results only in loss of water content from the body and not loss of fat. If one really wants to lose kilos, then it is advisable to move and not stand in one place. For example, if you are talking on the phone, then instead of sitting at one place, try walking during your conversation, this can be a very basic exercise to keep oneself active,” explains Tariq Shaikh, physiotherapist, Pune Football Club. However, fitness experts wouldn’t mind recommending the exercise to their clients as a ‘basic warm up’ one. “We always advise our clients to be on the move and not sit and become a couch potato. Standing, in a way, helps carry your own body weight. This can increase your strength,” adds Yogesh Kulkarni, gym trainer.