The American Heart Association released a study this week reporting that people who spend more than four hours in front of the TV daily have an 80 percent increased risk of cardiovascular death. While it’s no surprise that people who watch a lot of TV have increased health risks due to inactivity this is a staggering number.

Health experts are often heard making suggestions like “take the stairs at work,� or “park farther away in the parking lot.� This doesn’t even begin to address the root of the problem and our country’s growing obesity epidemic is proof these strategies are failing.

There’s a much bigger problem going on here and we’re not getting anywhere telling people they can lose weight and improve their health by burning an extra 50 calories a day by taking the stairs or walking a few more steps to work. It’s simply not enough and this advice is misleading to say the least.

The question we should be asking is what’s behind our addiction to TV?

Unless there’s some straight talk on answering this question we won’t get anywhere. Our society has changed dramatically in the last fifty years and TV has simply been just one part of it.

I never would have thought we’d see TV’s on exercise equipment but walk into most any health club today and you’ll find them everywhere. Row after row of cardio equipment with flat screens built right in the console.

Now I can’t blame the manufacturers because they’re only giving customers what they want. This is simply good business on their part but why are we so obsessed with TV?

I think the answer lies in our desire to disconnect. TV is an escape from the stress of our everyday lives. Think about it. When you’re watching TV you don’t have to think, there’s no interaction with others…it’s nothing more than an escape from reality.

We have no problem listening to other people’s problems since we don’t have to think about our own. Look no further than the increased popularity of reality shows as testament to this fact.

Watching TV for many people has simply become an addiction.

And just like with any other addiction it has negative consequences on your health. Unless people see it as an addiction they’ll never make the necessary changes to improve their health.

I have to laugh when I see so called “experts� giving advice on how to do exercises while watching TV. This advice stinks! We should be teaching people how to have balance in their lives instead of working with the problem.

Everyone is afraid of being blunt these days. I guess it’s the era of political correctness and not wanting to offend or upset anyone. A lot of good this is doing for our society.

I’m not going to tell you that you can offset watching several hours of TV each day with counting your steps on a pedometer at work or doing some mundane exercises with soup cans in front of the tube.

Let’s be truthful, this just isn’t enough.

The only way to break the TV habit is with a strong desire to change.

We can teach people all day long about how to get active and have balance in their lives but it won’t happen until there’s a want or need.

Maybe it’s a scare from a bad report at the doctor’s office. Maybe you just hit the breaking point from not having energy, being overweight, and feeling lousy all the time.

Whatever the trigger is that initiates change, there simply needs to be a strong emotional connection for new habits to be formed.

So let me just be blunt and tell it like it is. The evidence has shown that if you watch more than four hours of TV a day you have an 80% increased risk of cardiovascular death. You’re shortening your life span plain and simple!

The reasons are simple. You’re more likely to be inactive and consume too many extra calories. This will obviously lead to a greater chance of you being overweight and developing health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The only solution to TV addiction is creating other habits and routines in your life that promote health, wellness, and balance.

It’s about facing reality and owning up to the fact that ONLY you are responsible for your health. I understand the addiction with TV is a problem that can create a vicious cycle of depression and disconnect. If you’re stuck in that rut right now the last thing you want to do is fight the battle on your own.

The best piece of advice I can give is to look for ways to get physical activity and balance in your life that includes support, accountability, and structure.

Don’t go join a gym and try to start working out on your own. The evidence shows that you’re likely to fail. Instead look to join a group that is doing the type of exercise or physical activity that you could enjoy and meets your fitness level.

It’s no secret that people who incorporate accountability and support into an exercise routine are far more likely to be consistent and ultimately see better results. That’s why retention rates and overall results are far greater in things like small group, partner, or one-on-one training routines.

Whatever you choose just look to have accountability and support so you can be more likely to stick with it.

It’s all about starting new habits and new routines that take the place of the old. Watching TV is something you can do on your own without any other human interaction. It’s a total disconnect and that’s where the problem lies. If you try to go exercise on your own chances are you won’t be successful with creating a habit.

Tips on how you can break the TV habit and start incorporating exercise and healthy habits in your life.

• Find a friend, co-worker, family member, or spouse to have as an exercise partner.
• Start a small group, partner, or one-on-one personal training program.
• Start a walking group at work where everyone can meet at lunch or after hours.
• Join a club that meets regularly for some type of recreational physical activity or sport.

Whatever route you choose just don’t try and go about creating new habits all alone. The health clubs have membership rosters filled with people who came a few times and then rarely come back. Interaction with others is the key.

See TV addiction for what it is….nothing more than a disconnect and escape from reality. Plan your day out in its entirety. Know when you’re going to exercise, take quiet time for yourself, etc. Likewise if and when you’re going to watch TV know how much time you’ll spend and when during the day you’ll do it.

Shane Doll is a certified Charleston personal trainer, fat loss expert, speaker, and founder of Shaping Concepts Personal Training Studios. You can receive a FREE, no-obligations trial of his Charleston personal training programs and experience the Shaping Concepts difference for yourself.

Posted: Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 10:20 am

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