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+ health
Photo Illustration by Sachiko Miyakawa
taking the stairs
We are all busy, and making time for a workout may not be a priority. But before giving in to the hustle of school life, use the stairs instead of taking the elevators.
Regular stair climbing can be a good daily exercise, says Amber Long, fitness coordinator at the Student Recreation Fitness Center.
"You can do it in regular clothes," she says. "Every little bit that you can do helps throughout the day."
Long says taking the stairs helps your body burn more calories and keeps your muscles in a stronger state.According to the Calorie Control Council, three minutes of stair climbing can burn 31 calories.
Walking up the stairs may make you out
of breath, but it's a good sign that your body uses a lot of oxygen. Long says stair climbing can be aerobic exercise, which increases heart rate and stimulates blood circulation. Walking up hills has a similar effect, she says.
— Sachiko Miyakawa
Long also recommends including small exercises as part of lifestyle activities, such as walking from home to school, and stretching and squatting during study breaks.
VERDICT: GOOD FOR YOU
running marathons
Sure, running is a great way to stay in shape, but is there a point when it becomes too excessive? How about running or training the 26 miles of a marathon?
Training for a marathon or half-marathon is a great way to stay fit and lose weight, but Lance Snyder, orthopedic surgeon at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute in Leawood, says that running marathons is not for everyone.
"There is a reason the first two people who ran the marathon died," Snyder says. "Marathons are meant for extremely athletic people, not your average Joe."
Snyder says he has many patients who decide they want to run a marathon and six weeks into their training they are struck with ailments such as Planter Fasciitis, torn ligaments, hip displacement and the list goes on.
The stress of your body constantly hitting
Photo Illustration by Jerry Wang
the hard pavement is meant for only a select group of athletes. On an average body, the stress can do much more damage than good.
Snyder recommends other ways of staying in shape such as joining a gym or a local intramural group.
Lauren Gray, Leawood senior, is training for her second half-marathon. The half-marathon will be held October 12 in Kansas City, Missouri.
"I like it because as I train, the muscle throughout my body becomes much more toned and I am able to build my endurance," Gray says. "However, there are times after long runs where I have pain in my knees and hips."
Gray says that the positive mental gain outweighs the physical pain.
14
VERDICT: BAD FOR YOU, but a half-marathon in the near future isn't unrealistic.
January 15,2009
— Megan Weltner