The reality of TV: Where you're wasting the most time "If you'll forgive me for getting on my soapbox here, watching television is the way that most Americans waste the most time,"says Ackerman. According to the latest Nielsen Media Survey, during 2005-2006, the average American watched four hours and 35 minutes of television each day. All of this tube-viewing eats into time that could otherwise be spent on exercise, socializing, reading,working and/or sleeping. Forgoing these activities in favor of the newest variation of "Iron Chef"or"Law & Order"not only makes you less productive, it can also have a serious effect on the size of your "bottom line." "[Watching television] contributes to the obesity epidemic we're facing in this country,"says Ackerman,"in part by reducing the amount of time we spend moving our bodies,but also by restricting sleep.The stimulation of TV keeps us up late into the night,while work schedules demand that we rise early. Most of us are getting a good hour less sleep than we need." This kind of cumulative sleep deprivation impairs the body's ability to control its own blood sugar and hormones. Lack of sleep triggers feelings of hunger, especially for calorie-rich carbohydrates such as cake or bread. In fact, says Ackerman, the body treats the loss of a few hours' sleep like a deficit of 1,000 calories that it wants to make up, so it steps up appetite while also slowing down metabolism.This is a recipe for quick weight gain. "Moreover,when we eat in front of theTV at night,we tend to overeat," says Ackerman."The distraction makes it hard for the brain to monitor food intake, so we nosh away, ignoring the signals saying that we're full." Next time you find yourself mindlessly flipping through channels, turn the television off and go for a walk with a family member, read a bestseller, take a long bath or just go to sleep — you'll most likely have more energy at work and less pounds on your body. © CTW Features