Take the Stairs!

I think if there's ever been an anthem for those trying to lose weight everywhere it's these three words: "take the stairs." Every article you read with "hints and tips on how to lose weight" makes sure to include that little nugget of information. Us big fat fatties have had it drilled into our heads from the very first time we opened an issue of Cosmo and read their "10 Tips to Get Bikini Ready" or some other such nonsense.

Thing is, it's not as simple as it sounds. If you're already overweight and out of shape the last thing in the world you want to do is take the stairs and arrive at your destination out of breath and dripping with sweat. They might as well tell you "take a 20 mile bike ride in the Sahara in the dead of summer."

"Take the stairs" is probably best suited for once you've been working out a little bit. Once you can take a walk, push a stroller, cajole a screaming baby, and talk on the phone all at the same time and without running out of breath in the first five minutes. (Ten minutes? Now, that's a different story). We gotta face it: stairs are some serious business!

Last night, my husband and I took our boys to a baseball game. Since the hubs drug his feet on ordering the tickets. we ended up on the - dun dun du dun - dreaded third level. When we exited the stadium after the game, the lines were the escelators were so long they practically wrapped around the building. I looked at the hubs and said four words I never would have imagined would ever leak from my lips, "Let's take the stairs."

Granted, we were going down which I realize is a whole different story from going up. But each level had several flights of stairs. I lost count, but I know we traipsed down at least TEN. Ten flights of stairs! And I did this all with a not-quite-three month old strapped to my chest and hauling a diaper bag that weighed more than the baby. By the time we reached the bottom, I was only slightly winded.

And I was proud.

Proud of myself for suggesting the stairs. Proud of myself for making it down them and only being slightly breathless. As we walked to our car, I was able to carry on a conversation with the hubs. AFTER negotiating all those stairs! I swear, it's the little things when it comes to this weight loss business, but maaaaan - that felt good to me. All the hours I'm logging and the miles I'm riding on my exercise bike are paying off. And not just on the scale or in the way my clothes fit me. And that is an awesome - really, truly, oh-em-gee type of awesome - feeling.

Daily Menu for Wednesday:

Breakfast:
Apple blueberry pancakes
Total Points: 4

Lunch:
Mini Bagel Pizzas
Quaker Mini-Delights
Total Points: 6

Snack:
Brownie Sundae
Total Points: 3

Dinner:
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Garlic Bread
Total Points: 9

Snack
Jello Fizzy Mold
Total Points: 1

Daily Total: 23