Smarter Health: Do You Take The Stairs?

[HeatherNYC]

One would think after being out and about in this warm weather, I'd have lost a few pounds...yet I have not. So, I've been trying to think of ways to burn a few more calories. I'm going to tackle this in a three-pronged approach. First, I'm going to exercise more: schedule a walk in the park a few times a week while the weather is still friendly. Second, I'm stretching more and tackling yoga (more on this in another post for sure, as my husband has gotten me on this kick). And third: I'm taking the stairs more.

Now, I live on the 23rd floor, so I'm not going to fully embrace this on the home front, but whenever I can, whether at a store or in a shorter building, I try to take the stairs.

And when I've been sitting at the ol' desk for a bit? I get up -- and go up and down a few flights for 10-15 minutes. You may think that doesn't do much but studies have shown that 10 minutes here and there do add up to some big-time health benefits.

How much will I burn on the stairs? Maybe about 50...but doing that five times a day is 250 calories, which isn't so shabby.

How often do you take the stairs? What do you do to increase your workouts?

©iStockphoto.com/CardMaverick   

[lizzig]

 well we live on the second floor of our apartment building & there is no elevator so we take the stairs everyday.  some days pretty often.  when the weather isn't blistering hot the kids & i walk allot.  we'll try to walk home from school 2-3 days a week, about 1.5miles.  we'll also walk to the many parks near us & to the stores.

[elasmimi]

My knees don't let me. Of course I didn't do it before I had the knee excuse either.

[BeachMommy07]

No, I avoid stairs (if there are many) I have lung disease. 

[dusky_rose]

When I went to the bank, I'd always take the stairs to go up and use the bathrooms, but now my 5 year old son likes elevators. LOL So now we have a dog with no fenced backyard and we get our exercise by taking the dog for walks 4 times a day around the block. And my son is starting Kindergarten at a school a half a mile away, so I'm going to try to walk there and pick him up after school to get a mile walk in that way also.

[LifeCafe42]

Every day. I hate elevators so it's an easy choice

[bwsmommy]

I did before i started hurting in my hips from this pregnancy =/ ..

[collinsmommy0]

Yup. I always do stairs if it's only 1-2 stories. And that's usually while babywearing a 22 pound toddler.

And we live in a 3 story townhouse so there's LOTS of stair walking here!

[othermom]

I do take the stairs when we are some place with a choice. I go at a faster pace to increase my work out

[heydooney]

I usually take the stairs but the kids are fascinated by elevators so sometimes i indulge them

[mes_deux_amours]

I take the stairs when I do not have a stroller with me. But, not if its more than 2 flights lol