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Tune In to a Healthier You

Time to Turn Off Those TV's!

-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer
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 How often do you come home from a hard day, only to plop on the couch and "relax" in front of the TV? If you find it hard to escape the sights and sounds of the tube, or if watching your favorite show turns into more wasted hours than you planned, you're not alone. Americans watch TV for an average of 4 hours every day; even when we're not watching, the television is on--for almost 8 hours a day in the average home. Have you ever realized how much TV has become a part of our lives? Here are some more startling facts, from the non-profit organization, TV-Turnoff Network: 

40% of Americans always or often watch TV while eating dinner.
  • Eating dinner or snacking in front of the TV is linked to overeating and dissatisfaction. When you're distracted, you're not mindful of the meal you are eating, causing you to eat more without realizing it or really enjoying your food. Turn off the TV (and other distractions like the computer or the phone), and you'll savor that portion-controlled meal.
50% of US households have 3 or more TVs.
  • When you have more TVs, chances are, more of your family members are watching- instead of spending quality time together, doing homework, and being active.
By age 65, the average American has seen 2 million TV commercials.
  • Many of the commercials we see show appetizing foods-fast food, junk food, soda, alcohol, sugary cereals, and candy. Think "out of sight, out of mind."
The average American youth spends about 900 hours per year in school, and over 1,000 hours per year watching TV.
  • While you can't place all the blame on TV, soaring rates of childhood obesity are a result of both poor nutrition and an inactive lifestyle. Limit the amount of time your kids (and yourself, leading by example) watch TV and encourage more physical activity like walking the dog, helping with yard work, playing sports, or other active hobbies.
  • In a 2008 Canadian study, researchers from the University of Toronto found that kids who watched TV while eating lunch consumed 228 extra calories than those who ate without the television on. Harvey Anderson of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (the organization that funded the study) believes that watching TV leads to mindless eating. By focusing on TV instead of a meal, kids (and adults) are less likely to notice feelings of fullness.
TV-Turnoff Week
Consider turning off that TV permanently--OK, well maybe for just a week. April 19 through April 25 is the official "TV-Turnoff Week," an exciting opportunity for adults and children to experience life without television. For seven days, people around the world will turn off their TVs and find something better to do. But no matter what  time of year it is now, there are plenty of reasons to cut down on your TV time.

Think it would impossible to turn off your TV for an entire week? Imagine how much more free time you would have if you didn't spend time watching TV! There are lots of fun (and healthy) things you could do with your newfound time. Here are some examples:
  • Get active! Think you don't have time to exercise? Here?s your opportunity!
  • Make it a family event! Take the kids out for a walk, ride bikes, learn a new sport, go canoeing, etc.
  • Read a book or magazine
  • Go to bed earlier and get your recommended 7-8 hours of sleep
  • Start that new hobby you've been wanting to try
  • Cook dinner for your family and enjoy it together at the table
  • Volunteer at your local church or community center
  • Start a vegetable garden or plant flowers
  • Take a class- drawing, woodworking, sewing- whatever interests you
  • Take a trip to the grocery store. Without the usual rush, take the time to compare labels, find new foods, and stock up on fresh fruits, veggies and healthy snacks.
  • Write a letter to someone you haven't seen in awhile
  • Spend more time with your pet! Go for a walk or play a game of Frisbee.
  • Prepare healthy bag lunches for the family.
The possibilities are endless! Do you think you could give it a try, just for one week? According to a follow-up survey, 80% of TV-Turnoff participants said they altered their viewing habits and now watch less TV. You'll be amazed how a little less TV can have a big impact on you and your family. 

For more information on TV-Turnoff Week, visit: www.tvturnoff.org
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About The Author

Jen Mueller Jen Mueller
Jen received her master's degree in health promotion and education from the University of Cincinnati. A mom and avid marathon runner, she is a certified personal trainer, certified health coach and advanced health & fitness specialist. See all of Jen's articles.

Member Comments

  • MOONSTONEWOLF
    I did this 12 years ago and haven't turned on the TV since except to catch some breaking news. I need to adapt this for the computer though. - 2/12/2013 11:14:44 AM
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  • MISSLISA1973
    My problem is more the computer than the TV. I do watch some TV, but I am in front of the computer almost constantly. It's so bad, I don't know what I would do without it... and not just at work, but even on my own time! - 11/12/2012 10:06:12 PM
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  • DOINITRIGHT2012
    Again...no TV for over 4 years, and we don't miss it a bit. I wouldn't have time to watch it if we did. - 11/10/2012 7:49:55 PM
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  • JPERRY423
    I beginning to feel the same way about the computer, facebook, etc. In our house we call everything electronic (computer, tv, video games, etc.) "screen time" and we have to limit it. It's always amazing to me how I will sit down to watch one thing and get sucked into countless others. It's designed to do that, I suppose. - 11/10/2012 1:44:06 PM
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  • VABCHLOSER
    I have 3 TV's in my house, with no cable or antenna which = static. I can watch Netflix on one TV. Seldom is the television on. I probably watch 1 hour of TV a day on average. I don't have time for more. But there was a time in my life when I watched about 12 shows a week, and then some. Probably spent 4 hours in front of the TV a day. - 11/10/2012 1:42:37 PM
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  • CATINCJ
    Ditto. Haven't had TV in more than 30 years.

    People are amazed and ask questions like "what do you do?" to which we reply: talk to each other; take a walk, take a ride, read a book, and the list goes on.

    We have a couple TVs which are hooked up to dvd players for music, exercise videos, etc.

    Move it!!! - 11/10/2012 1:09:43 PM
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  • BUNNIEBUILDER
    When I moved out of my parents, I didn't think twice about buying a TV. I feel like I'm wasting so much time just sitting on the couch, staring at a screen, watching the dumbest stuff. Also I don't like that I often find myself feeling like I HAVE to watch some TV series because "everyone" watches them. When my boyfriend moved in, He bought a TV but we only use it once a week to watch a movie. - 11/10/2012 10:05:28 AM
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  • BAMABEN
    I was on my death bed watching tv. I gave it away, became bored and started to move around. If we can't turn the tube off, get rid of it! Our health is more important! - 10/3/2012 11:36:56 PM
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  • DJ1SKYWALKER
    ATTACHED LINK DOES NOT WORK - 6/27/2012 7:32:53 AM
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  • MRSJOCCO
    TV is like everything else--it should be used wisely.

    It is not an evil entity hungry to make you fat, stupid and lazy.

    To say TV is bad is like saying reading is bad--it's sedentary, it's isolating, it's bad for your eyes, etc... - 12/18/2011 11:41:35 AM
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  • NATALIE225
    I don't have a TV. I do have Netflix that I can watch on my computer, but it's been 2 weeks since I've even signed into my account! Now that they're raising prices I may get rid of that as well.

    My Gold's gym has cardio machines with individual TV's. I find if there's a show I really want to watch this can be a great motivation to workout. - 7/14/2011 3:42:16 PM
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  • CAROLJ35
    I could live without TV. Occasionally I watch the Food Network while riding stationary bike, but I am not so fond of it anymore since everything has to be done in a big hurry.
    I prefer to read a book. - 6/20/2011 9:10:44 PM
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  • CHRIS3874
    I couldn't do it there are some show I just have to watch (Nova on PBS and Coronation Street on CBC). - 6/20/2011 8:56:31 PM
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  • MISSY0009
    When I was in college I would come home from classes and veg infront of the tv for hours. If I missed a show I wanted to see I would tay up until 3 am to watch the rerun. Then when I graduated and moved in with my boyfriend, who grew up without cable, I couldn't afford to pay for it so we spent our first 2 months without tv. The first few weeks drove me crazy! I spent more money on renting movies that I probably would have on cable. After a while I started to find other ways to fill my time. Now that we do have cable we maybe watch 3 hours a week. - 10/11/2010 12:45:32 PM
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  • JENJEREH
    Statistics like this make me glad we don't have cable. And even glad that our digital tuner is broken, so our previous NBC and PBS aren't available. I'm afraid that I -- and my kids -- would be among those sitting on the couch for hours if it was in front of us. They've never had it and don't miss it. (And I don't miss the "gimmies" that all the toy commercials can produce.) Certainly there are shows worth watching. And there are certainly shows that are entertaining. But nothing that is as real as your own life, and very little worth spending precious time of your own life to witness. Weaning yourself from the TV is really an amazing thing. - 9/21/2010 9:54:26 PM
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