Small steps make a big exercise leap

By Lisa Liddane
The Orange County Register

You probably saw that Mercedes ad sometime ago. Young couple gets out of the house, does few stretches to give the appearance of heading to a workout. They climb into their car and drive several feet — to the gym.

Yes, it’s a parody. But it’s really a statement about how we’ve truly engineered simple forms of activity out of our lives. We seem to forgo daily activities instinctively because we’ve done it often, out of time constraints or simply because a convenient way to get from here to there is available.

Sometimes, our perception of what constitutes exercises shrinks to a myopic view.

At an obesity conference several months ago, a lecturer presented a photograph of real people that burned itself into my memory. It showed the entrance to a popular health club on the second level of a building. There were two staircases on either side of a short escalator leading up to club.

Guess where everyone was?

We probably spend more time driving around parking lots looking for the closest parking space when we get to club. Think about it — walking briskly from your car to the gym can be part of your warm-up.

Have a lot of time between flights at the airport? Skip the escalator, people mover and elevator, head for the stairs.

Going to an outdoor shopping center where you can drive from one store to the next? Park, then walk with your bags.

Taking your kids to the park? Instead of driving them there, put them in a bike trailer or, if they’re old enough, have them ride their own bikes with you to the park. I know it’s more convenient to put your toddler in the stroller and head over to the park or a neighbor’s house.

Have something to ask a colleague across the room or in another part of the building? Forget instant messaging. Head over there and get some face time with your co-worker.

Instead of heading for that cup of coffee to jolt you out of your early-afternoon sleepiness, take the long way to the water fountain and drink some water.

Sure, it’s easy to get together with friends over a meal. But you also can meet for a walk or a hike. It’s a terrific way to catch up while enjoying the outdoors and maintaining fitness.

If you doubt that these activities amount to anything meaningful, try this two-day easy experiment I learned from a friend:

Borrow a pedometer, put it on the moment you wake up, and keep it on until you’re ready for bed. On day one, go about your usual day. To prepare for day two, give yourself some visual reminders about walking, such as putting Post-it notes where you can see them — in your car, on your fridge, next to your computer monitor. On day two, wear the pedometer again and see if you log more steps.

You might be surprised at what you find.