A great way to burn extra calories is to use the stairs instead of the elevator. If it's been awhile since you exercised, start off slow. Set some goals for yourself. For example, if you only have three flights to ascend, then set a goal to go up and down the stairs at least four times throughout the day. {relatedarticles}Then keep increasing the times as you get more adjusted. If, however, your destination is 20 floors up, then set a goal to climb five flights and use the elevator to ascend the rest. As you get more fit, it will get easier. Keep adding more floors to your daily climb. Need inspiration? The owner of one of the most famous backsides in the business - Beyonce - climbs stairs to keep her booty toned. She says she has a "naturally good" butt -- but gives nature a helping hand by climbing steps.
And we're not talking a million flights - just two minutes of stair-climbing five days a week burns the same amount of energy as a 20-minute walk - 100-140 calories. Got more than two minutes? Try 20 on the stair climber at the gym. You'll burn around 200 calories at a moderate speed.{relatedarticles} Those who eschew the elevator are healthier, too - stair climbers have lower cholesterol, blood pressure and body fat than those who take the elevator. So the next time you have a choice, pass through that door beside the elevator.