Watching too much TV can lead to weight gain. Besides being a sedentary activity, it is often something people do at night while snacking. This combination of sitting and late-night eating can pack on the pounds and make it difficult to lose weight.

In the United States, the average person spends more than four hours a day watching TV. That means in the span of 65 years, the average American devotes nine years to watching television. Studies indicate that adults who watch television for three hours a day have a greater chance of being obese than those who engage in less than an hour of daily TV watching.

These are alarming statistics when you consider the number of health problems that result from being overweight. Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and gall bladder disease are just some of the health issues that are associated with obesity. Clearly, watching less TV can not only help you to achieve the appearance you desire, but it can increase your quality of life through preventing disease.

Despite the negative consequences of TV watching, if this is one of your favorite activities, there are ways to still enjoy it. Watching TV can be very relaxing after a stressful day at work or a long day with the kids. It's possible to de-stress through a single hour of TV viewing; you don't have to sit for three hours in order to unwind.

Plan your TV time ahead of time. Think through and identify the must-see programs and eliminate the rest. Watching too much TV often results from sitting and spacing out with little attention to what is actually on the screen. Before you know it, you have watched a game show, the news, an episode of night-time drama and a late-night comedian.

Being selective in your TV watching also reduces the chances of excessive late-night snacking. When you watch less TV, you are more likely to choose activities that burn more calories. Exercising and engaging in gardening and other hobbies can increase your fitness level and help you to achieve your desired weight.

If you find it difficult to cut down on your TV time, consider combining other activities with TV watching. Riding an exercise bike, for example, can be a healthy way to enjoy your shows while getting much-needed exercise and burning off calories. Doing sit-ups or push-ups in front of the TV are other options. In general, many types of calisthenics can easily be combined with watching TV.

In short, watching too much TV is a bad idea if you want to lose weight. To reach your weight loss goals, decrease your TV time and or combine it with indoor exercise. You will experience greater health and a better quality of life. Less TV time also leaves more time to spend with your loved ones.