Companies throughout Los Angeles are joining with the American Diabetes Association to celebrate National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day on Wednesday, May 4, 2016.

On this Wellness Day, the Association encourages everyone to limit the amount of time they spend sitting by making sure they get up and move at least once every 90 minutes throughout the work day.

“On average, people spend five hours and 41 minutes of their day sitting at work, which does not include time spent sitting away from the workplace,” said Cassie Shafer, region vice president of the Southern California Region. “Research shows that sitting for long periods of time increases the risk for many health problems, so it’s important that we get up and move during the day. National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day is the perfect way for employers to encourage employees to get moving for better health.”

On Thursday May 5, employees of the PDC/Brady Corporation in Valencia will host a special event for employees from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in recognition of National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day. PDC currently participates in the Wellness Lives Here program and has recently completed the steps and applied through the American Diabetes Association to become a Corporate Health Champion.

Sitting too much for long periods of time can be harmful to health. Just getting up once every 90 minutes to stretch or walk around the office is better than sitting for hours on end in a chair. Employees should take every opportunity get up and move while at work.

8 Ways To Be More Active During The Work Day

1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator at the office and in the parking garage.

2. Get up once an hour and take a quick walk around your office.

3. Stand up and stretch at your desk.

4. If you go out for lunch, walk to the restaurant.

5. If you take public transportation to work, get off one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way to your office.

6. Use a speaker or mobile phone so you can pace around your office during conference calls.

7. Try some chair exercises while at your desk.

8. Fidget (when appropriate!) — tap or wiggle your foot during meetings or while working at your desk.

“Since our founding more than 75 years ago, the Association has promoted the importance of healthy lifestyle choices as a way to manage all types of diabetes and to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes,” said Shafer. “Through National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day, we call on everyone, including people with diabetes, to get up from their work chair. Whether you bike to work or take a quick walk up or down the office stairs, it’s time to get active!”

National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day is part of Wellness Lives HereSM, an initiative by the Association designed to inspire and fuel the nation’s healthful habits at work and beyond. To learn more, visit www.wellnessliveshere.org. For information on programs in the Los Angeles area, contact the American Diabetes Association at 323.966.2890 or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). www.Diabetes.org