A few weeks ago I was reading Real Simple, thinking about how I really need some motivation to get my behind moving (since weaning the weight has been coming back), when I noticed a blurb about the WOMAN Challenge.
So I emailed my blogging buddies Jen, Angela, Andi, and Sinead, and we decided that this month, in lieu of a breastfeeding carnival, we would form a team and participate in the WOMAN Challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of National Women's Health Week.
We have all committed to doing at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day for 8 weeks, starting on Mother's Day, May 13th. Any kind of activity counts - walking, swimming, yoga, weights, pilates, pushing a stroller are all great.
If you join the challenge you get email updates, a tracking log, a pedometer (while supplies last), and you'll be able to track our team's virtual progress on a map. We chose the cross-country route, which starts in San Francisco, and ends in Washington, D.C.
Our team, The Breastfeeding Babes (thanks to Angela for the title!), is open to anyone. You don't have to have a blog, be breastfeeding, even be a woman! And yes, exercise is just fine for breastfeeding women.
If you're up to the challenge, here's what to do:
- Sign up here. If you choose to count your activity in steps, you may get a free pedometer (while supplies last).
- Follow the directions for joining a team, and join the "Breastfeeding Babes." Note: You may have to search for teams in Massachusetts to find it.
- Starting on Mother's Day, track your progress on the WOMAN Challenge website.
- Tell your friends and encourage them to sign up!
Jen and I will be the team leaders. We'll keep each other going (read: please keep me going).
Who's in?
