In my day job as a copywriter/editor, I spend most of the time sitting in front of a computer. Now as I’m eight months pregnant, and my bottom has been steadily increasing in size for some time now, I’m not so worried about the weight implications of my sedentary work culture. But consider the time us desk-bound folk spend sitting still at work, as well as while commuting, and the butt time really adds up – apparently the typical office worker is sedentary for 75 per cent of their working day. That can’t be good.

Many of us try and do a bit of exercise a few times a week, but after a busy day, most of us will just want to collapse in front of the TV. According to a study by researchers including Dr David Dunstan from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute earlier this year, four or more hours a day of television increases your  risk of death from heart disease by 80 per cent, and risk of death from all causes by 46 per cent compared with people that watch just two hours a day.

All up, including telly time, we could be sitting still for up to 15 hours a day.

So, apart from changing careers and cutting down on TV time, what can we do about it? Try the following methods to help you get off your ass:

• Stand up when using the phone.
• Move your rubbish bin/printer further away from your desk.
• Take the stairs instead of the lift.
• Walk over to talk to a colleague instead of sending an email.
• Getting up to move around for few minutes or so every hour.
• At home, do a bit of ironing whilst watching TV.