Americans spend three percent of time active

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Sedentary U.S. adults are advised to take breaks from sitting in front of the computer and TV and fill that break time with exercise, researchers say.

"A person who gets up in the morning and makes time by spending 30 minutes on the treadmill probably feels pretty pleased with himself -- and he should," Alice Bender, spokeswoman for the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, said in a statement.

Nonetheless, "If he's like most Americans, he sits -- on his commute, at the office and at home," Bender said. "So this person, who fits the traditional definition of someone who's physically active, is actually active just 3 percent of his waking day."

Bender suggested getting into the habit of infusing your work day with more activity by:

-- Setting the timer on your computer to remind you every 60 minutes that it's time to step away from your desk and take a short walk down the hall.

-- Getting into the habit of walking and talking.

-- Keeping light hand weights in the office to use while reading e-mail or talking on the phone.

-- During all phone calls and phone meetings, standing up and walking around.

-- Using office or cubicle walls for stretches, vertical push-ups and leg lifts.

-- Asking your employer to put a punching bag or chin-up bar in your break room.