Stairway to Health

The Stairway to Health event was held last Friday at Ryerson University. It was organized by Health Promotion team members, to raise awareness about increasing daily exercise in our lives. This program encouraged both students and staff to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

People walking the halls glanced momentarily at gleeful students looking for recruits. I figured it would be a good a way to walk off my lunch calories so I signed up. I was enthusiastic until the stair climbing recruit motioned to the staircase and wished me luck.

A flight of 12 angry steps loomed before me in a stark white stairwell. There were signs of encouragement along the way including health statistics and “Half-way” there banners. It didn’t really help. I made it to the top winded and a little wobbly, but in one piece. Complimentary juice, fruit and cookies revived me and as encouragement I received a pedometer to chart future my stair-climbing progress.

Toronto should have an official “climb the stairs” day. Boycott the elevator at work.

Can you imagine climbing 30 floors of the First Canadian Place? Not.

There is the option of participating in the Annual Canada Life CN Tower Stair Climb for WWF challenge that raises money for the World Wildlife fund. Hundreds of people climbing 1,776, can get a little crammed if you need a moment to stop and catch your breath. One girl I know, who did the climb a few years ago, trained for 5 months.

Check out this story about Peter Doucet.

If you aren't up for the CN Tower climb, there is always the infamous stairs at Glendon College. The campus is beautiful but those stairs are an albatross. The crooked, winding stairs leading from the main campus to the athletics centre is a workout in itself.