All of those get-more-fit New Year’s resolutions are probably still firmly in place. (Many of us won’t start to slide until toward the end of the month.) So here's a day to celebrate and reaffirm your commitment. br
Dragging yourself out to the gym, getting up earlier to workout at home, or pushing yourself away from the dinner table may all be difficult, at times, to accomplish. But walking up a flight of stairs...that's pretty darned doable.
And darned good for you. Studies have shown that the risk of cardiovascular disease is lower in those who regularly take the stairs. Climbing just two flights a day can help you lose six pounds a year. Stairs can even be a great stress reliever at work when you're feeling a little overwhelmed; take a few minutes and walk up and down the stairs for an emotional cool down. Taking the stairs is also the “green” way to go—the only energy used is yours!
Luckily, stairs are everywhere—at public buildings, stadiums, offices, schools, in your apartment building. Even shopping centers. Don't think you need anything on the second level of Macy's? Walk up and take a look—that new mattress you've been thinking about may be waiting for you.
--Sarah Hagerty
