The typical American spends only three hours of each day standing or being active. That's 21 hours of sitting, sleeping, lounging, or (insert-your-own-sedentary-activity here).

Dr. Tracie Collins, chair and professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the KU School of Medicine–Wichita, is taking a step – several thousand of them each day, actually – to get herself out of the office chair. She walks about 3 miles daily ... without leaving her desk.

She recently brought a treadmill desk into her office and has no regrets.

"As a resident, I was running around the hospital all day long. Since then, I spend at least four hours at my desk every day," Collins said. She used to run for exercise, but had to give it up after sustaining an injury. Now she's working out while on the clock.

The treadmill sits next to her old desk, which now only gets attention at lunchtime. The treadmill's attached desktop houses her computer, keyboard, phone, and even a cup holder.

Collins is reaping the rewards of her decision. She rests better at night and burns loads of calories. "I go home hungry every night," she says.

More KUSM–W employees are following in Collins' footsteps and leaving their chairs. Spencer Post and Harpreet Singh, both PMPH staffers, built their own standing desks to modify their existing office furniture.

"It took a couple of days to get used to standing, but now I have so much more energy at the end of the day," Post explains.

Yes, you read correctly. More energy. Our bodies weren't meant to sit all day. They like to move, and they feel better when they do.

Collins agrees, "I have a conference call tomorrow that will last about seven hours. Being able to keep my body up and moving during the call will help keep me focused and energized."

Standing desks come in all shapes and sizes. Some are adjustable with the push of a button to allow for sitting or standing. Some have treadmills attached. Some can dispense smoothies made from organic, locally-grown fruit and vegetable juices from cooperative farms.

Ok, so the last part isn't true. But even without the smoothies, we're convinced.

Sit less. Ditch your chair. Your body will thank you for it.