The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is calling on people across the country to get moving in honor of its fourth annual National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day on May 2. Celebrated each year on the first Wednesday in May, National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day aims to increase awareness of the dangers of prolonged sitting and the importance of moving more throughout the day. The ADA’s 2018 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes recommend breaking up sedentary time with three or more minutes of physical activity—such as walking, leg extensions or overhead arm stretches—every 30 minutes for improved health outcomes in addition to getting the recommended 30 minutes a day, five days per week, of moderate exercise. Regular physical activity reduces the risk for type 2 diabetes and helps people with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes manage blood glucose.

WHAT: American Diabetes Association National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day
WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2018
WHERE: Individuals are encouraged to break up sedentary time—especially at work—with three or more minutes of physical activity every 30 minutes for improved health outcomes.

Additional Information: Individuals who would like to increase their physical activity can begin by incorporating one change at a time. Here are some suggestions:

• Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to get up every 30 minutes and stand, walk or stretch.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Move around while sitting at your desk—try raising your legs and arms.
• Use part or all of a lunch break to take a walk.
• Walk or ride a bike to nearby locations instead of driving.

Companies and organizations looking to motivate their employees and members to get active on National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day and beyond can download the ADA’s e-toolkit, which includes activation ideas, email templates, social media messages, animated GIFs of exercises you can do at your desk, tip sheets, an infographic and more. 
National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day is sponsored nationally by NRG Energy, Inc. & Freeze Tag, Inc. For more information and resources, click here or visit diabetes.org/getfitdontsit. 

About the American Diabetes Association
Nearly half of American adults have diabetes or prediabetes; more than 30 million adults and children have diabetes; and every 21 seconds, another individual is diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization whose mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA drives discovery by funding research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and works to safeguard policies and programs that protect people with diabetes. In addition, the ADA supports people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes, and the health care professionals who serve them through information and programs that can improve health outcomes and quality of life. For more information, please call the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visitdiabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).