Steps to Health: Small movements offer big payoff

Find ways to incorporate more movement into your daily life:

- Instead of driving your kids to school, organize a walking school bus. If the school is within walking distance, a parent can escort the kids in the neighborhood to school and back.

- Have walk-and-talk meetings at work. Skip the conference room and invite a co-worker or two for a mobile meeting around the block.

- Walk to a co-worker's desk to chat instead of emailing or calling.

- Use the restroom on another floor of your office building.

- While watching TV, do sit-ups or push-ups, march in place or simply stand instead of sitting.

- Walk or bike instead of driving whenever possible -- to the supermarket, library or video store.

- Have a break at work? Try a walk around the block instead of a cigarette or calorie-laden coffee drink.

- Try working at a stand-up desk instead of sitting.

- Skip the drive-through at the bank or fast-food restaurant and walk in instead.

- Pace while talking on the phone.

- Walk up stairs instead of escalators, or walk up escalators instead of standing still.