So you eat right and exercise but want to do more to maintain your health? Well, how about taking some extra steps while you’re away from home? According to the U.S. Surgeon General, most Americans should log 10,000 steps per day to reduce the risk of disease and help lead a healthy, productive life. Consider using a pedometer, a device used to track how many steps you take, along with these stair-use recommendations:

Stair Use Suggestions
*  When you need to use the restroom at work, walk the stairs to another floor to do so.
*  While at work, at the shopping mall or other public buildings, consider taking the stairs instead of riding the escalator or taking the elevator. In doing so, you will burn 10 calories for trekking up a flight of stairs as compared to only one and a half for taking a ride on the elevator. Multiply this by several trips on several flights and you will get in a mini-workout!
*  If you’re physically able, always take the stairs when traveling only three floors or less.
*  You can also help the environment by taking the stairs versus using the elevator or escalator. Teach this eco-friendly lesson to your kids too!
*  If you are traveling several floors up or down and cannot physically take the stairs the entire way, consider getting off the elevator one or two floors early and take the stairs the rest of the way. Or, consider climbing one flight and then riding the elevator the rest of the way to your destination. As time goes on, you will slowly build up your fitness level and will eventually be able to use the stairs the entire way.

Healthy Hints

Huffin’ and puffin’ up the stairs will build your cardiovascular health, while also toning your leg muscles. Consider implementing stair use into your routine while you’re out and about, and burn a few calories in the process!

Courtesy of Whitaker-Myers Insurance Group

This flyer is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice., © 2008-2010 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

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