Shut Down to Drop Pounds

If you're like most people today, you probably spend a lot of time sitting in front of a screen — either your television, catching up on the latest prime-time dramas, or your computer, checking e-mail for the hundredth time in a day. All that time you spend sitting could be working against you, especially because you're more likely to snack while you're doing it. So this week we're going to take on my Shut Down and Drop Down Challenge! Do you feel ready?

For this challenge, all you need to do is log no more than two hours of computer or TV time every day next week — so you can start to see your weight drop when you step on the scale! That's two hours total, not two hours each! Once you've hit two hours, you've got to shut down the computer and turn off the television, and they can't go back on until the next day. (If you don't use your TV or computer for two hours a day normally, then good for you! You've got a head start, but that means you need to cut down to no more than one hour a day for the week.) Think you can do it? I know you can!

If you work at a computer, I'll cut you a little slack. You don't have to quit your job — we'll only count the leisure time you spend on the computer or at the TV when you're home, of which you should aim for just 30 to 60 minutes. Also, look for ways to cut down on your "zombie" time at work too! Make a point to get up and talk to co-workers instead of just e-mailing them, and take the stairs up and down when you go to lunch. If you walk to work, you get bonus points!

Remember when you said that you have no time to exercise in your busy day? You'll be amazed at how much more time you'll have for yourself when you start cutting down on TV and computer time. C'mon, let's do this challenge together — it's going to be a great, active week!