30/30

My co-worker and fitness goal twin*, Dre, recently set up a facebook group to encourage people to exercise 30 minutes a day for 30 days straight.

She started her pledge on October 1 and encouraged us to do the same.  At first I didn't think much of it, because I already get exercise in each week.  But on Sunday afternoon when I normally languish on the couch reading novels, I thought of the fb group and decided I'd rather do something worthwhile instead. So I went to the gym to swim 30 minutes. It made me feel great and re-energized me for an evening with my favorite teenagers.

Plus yesterday I skipped my lunch time workout to have lunch with my friend Kati, who I don't see very often. After work I had big plans to do a quick surface clean of the house and then lay on the couch in the company of James, my DVR. (Yes, he has a name. He's very important in my life.) Instead, I thought of the pledge and took Bonnie for a long walk. It was a great way to enjoy the near perfect temperatures yesterday.

Anyway, U.S. Fitness guidelines recommend 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week.  There are all kinds of health benefits associated with aerobic exercise, including living longer.  See the Mayo Clinic's Top 10 Reasons to Get Physical for more benefits.

If you're not currently exercising, don't start with 30 minutes a day. Start smaller and add to it as you get fitter. Or if you are currently exercising, but are somewhat sporadic in your efforts, make a goal to start a streak.  Try to do some form of exercise every day for five days. Sparkpeople.com recommends you start with 10 minutes a day.  Or take the plunge and pledge to do 30 minutes a day for 30 days straight.  So far, I'm going six days strong.

If you'd like to be a member of the 30/30 facebook group to get encouragement from others who've pledged the 30/30, let me know and I'll add you.


*She does not know, but I have decided we are fitness goal twins because we seem to do everything separately, but in tandem. We both started running about the same time, started training for triathlons about the same time and decided to do an obstacle course the same fall - she did the Warrior Dash a few weeks ago, my Mud Run is in a week (panic!) We choose these goals independently, but it is uncanny how they mirror each other. Although she is cooler than me because she is a certified Turbokick instructor.