Would you be willing to turn off the TV to lose weight?
Numerous studies show a clear pattern: people who watch more television are more likely to be overweight. The less time spent in front of the TV, the lower the likelihood of carrying extra pounds.
Related: Mindless Eating: The Book That Helped Me Lose Weight & Keep It Off for Good
Evidence suggests that for every two hours of television viewed daily, the risk of being overweight increases by about 23%, and the risk of developing diabetes rises roughly 14%.
Nutrition expert Elizabeth Somer notes that watching TV slows metabolism more than most waking activities, second only to sleep. Television also exposes viewers to a high volume of junk-food advertising, which encourages snacking and can trigger overeating. If you pay attention, the number of food commercials during an hour of programming is astonishing.
More than 90% of people report watching TV while eating at home, which is a risky habit. When attention is focused on a screen rather than on the food, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’ve consumed. TV creates a threefold eating risk: it prompts eating, distracts from monitoring portions, and often leads to prolonged eating sessions.
Research from the University of Massachusetts found that people who watch TV during meals consume an average of 288 extra calories compared with those who don’t. Cutting TV time in half can reduce daily calorie intake by about 100 calories — roughly one pound lost every 35 days, simply from watching less television.
I used to be someone who regularly ate in front of the TV, often while watching cooking channels. Deciding to watch less TV seemed like a simple, achievable change, so over the past several years I’ve worked to break the habit. Progress comes with practice: there are setbacks, but gradually it has become easier. Like most behaviors, it’s a habit that can be changed.
Would you be willing to try cutting back on TV to support weight loss and healthier eating habits?
Related: Mindless Eating 6 Week Challenge
Sources
10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman’s Diet
Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think
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