Is Facebook Making You Fat?

No, I'm not saying you should close your account or un-friend all your Facebook friends. I am saying that you can certainly pack on pounds sitting in front of your computer posting to your friends' walls. Sitting for too long dampens down your metabolism, so you don't burn off calories or fat. It also makes you flabbier and weakens your muscle tone and who wants that?

It hasn't been that many years since we've been so internet addicted, has it? Remember a time when we actually talked to people in person instead of via wall? Conversations existed before we tweeted everything back and forth, didn't they? Not that I'd want to give up my Twitter and Facebook accounts either. I use them daily, but I have cut back on the time I spend on them and online in general, in order to lose weight.

How about checking your Facebook account first thing in the morning, right after breakfast? Then, maybe after lunch if you can do that at work or wherever you are at lunch. The worst thing you can do is get on Facebook or into a tweeting frenzy at night. You know what happens: you look up and it's after midnight and you've been sitting there for four hours with occasional forays for Hagen-Daz or chips. This is not the way to lose pounds.

So, maybe a quick check-in at night, but maybe you should set a timer. Spend some time with family at night. Read or play a game – not a virtual game, a real one – with your kids or with friends. Pogo isn't the only place to chat, you know. People used to get together and do things after dinner, like walk or visit. There's no reason you can't revive the tradition in your family circle.

Balance is really important in life and most of us have gotten out of balance when it comes to our online and offline lives. Limiting the time you spend online, whether it's on a social site or checking your email or just surfing, will help you in other ways besides weight loss.