I help run another HealthUnlocked community called StepJockey (it's here: healthunlocked.com/stepjockey). We're trying to get people to use the stairs wherever possible just to burn a few extra calories and get a bit of easy-to-do exercise so you can build up to more strenuous activity (stuff that might need Lycra and sweating!).
I hope you don't mind me posting here - I just found a statistic that I though might be of interest. Apparently, just two minutes extra stair climbing a day is enough to stop average weight gain in middle-age. There's more on the health benefits of climbing the stairs regularly on our website stepjockey.com/health-benef....
That probably equates to going up and down the stairs at a tube station - which, while not easy is probably cheaper than going to the gym!
Rob
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StepJockeyRob
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I moved to an apartment 3 floors up last year and it has certainly encouraged me - and probably helped me - to lose some weight.
A friend of mine who suffers from type 2 diabetes was at an exercise class for diabetics and the leader asked those who lived in a house with stairs to raise their hands and it turned out that none of them had stairs. Coinkidink, huh?
Talking about stairs......Sunday found my partner, myself and two dogs climbing the longest staircase I have ever done - Cadair Idris in mid-wales, a beautiful walk and a most exhausting climb, but rewarded by the most excellent views, and a wonderful sense of achievement.
Much of the pathway is made up of stone steps, put in to prevent erosion by the many feet that pass that way.
Strangely enough, coming down is more difficult than going up, and tough on the knees and ankles. We walked a total of 7 miles and took around 7 hours with several rests along the way.
I couldn't have done this if I hadn't already lost nearly 2 Stone, and hope that the effort will have counteracted any gain from my holiday meals; I will find that out at my next weigh-in!
Fabulous DD, it is being able to do so many great (or small) things that make it all worthwhile isn't it?
How insidiously the weight creeps on and it takes away so many joys in life. Time to reclaim them!
I've only made tentative steps in the direction of Lycra and I'm at goal weight! I think the world has a limited capacity for Lycra regardless of who's wearing it. I walk up escalators now, even long ones. Great exercise on a work day when fitting in exercise might be a major challenge. I don't get out of breath anymore too, which is amazing
I too go out of my way to walk up stairs nowadays, there is a council tower block near where I work that has how much of a Munro you have walked if you take the stairs. Great idea!
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Around the world in 80 days - Please post your steps/kms/miles for Friday 5 February (Part 2)
My Day 1
