Join our WOMAN Challenge team, the Breastfeeding Babes!

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:

1. Sign up here.  If you choose to count your activity in steps, you may get a free pedometer (while supplies last). 
2. 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.
3. Starting on Mother's Day, track your progress on the WOMAN Challenge website. 
4. 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?

Comments

[Ali]

I'm in. :)

[Tanya Lieberman]

We have 10 signed up so far...

Did I mention that no one will make you feel bad for taking a day off now and then? :)

[Cairo Mama]

I'm in, too!

[AshleyBenz]

I have officially joined your team, even though I'm not yet a breastfeeding mom. Some day I will be - so I figure that is good enough!

[Robin N]

I signed up today!

[Kate]

I'm in!

[Tanya Lieberman]

Okay, now we're up to about 25. Anyone else? You can sign up anytime before Mother's Day... (and probably afterwards).

Tanya

[Jana]

Tanya, I've tagged you for a meme if you are interested in playing along.

[mochamilk]

Tanya,
I haven't heard from you in a while but I just joined the Breastfeeding Babes Team!! I need it bad. The weight is just NOT coming off with baby #3 despite non-stop nursing. He is 10.5 months old and I am tired of being FAT! So, here's to getting fit again and even more time doing something fun with the kids. Maybe it will encourage me to play outside more.
Thanks for encouraging us to be healthy in many ways!
Micky
www.mochamilk.blogspot.com

[Tanya Lieberman]

Up to 35 now...

Tanya

[Tanya Lieberman]

Sent by email:

I'm so happy to have joined the Breastfeeding Babes striving to make our bodies healthier! This is just the motivation I needed to get myself moving, thanks Tanya!
-Beth

[jteamsmom]

I joined the team too! Looking forward to making myself get out and walk more than I do now....

[Emily]

I heard about this from my aunt Nancy in Sacramento. I joined. It should be fun and easy for me to do since I already walk or jog almost every day.

[Tanya Lieberman]

Hi Emily,

Don't know if you remember me... but your Aunt Nancy is the best!

We have about 45 people now...

Tanya

[onetinkerbell]

I'm going to sign up so that I'm more motivated to get on my elliptical trainer at night and go to the "Walk with WIC" program that my neighbor started on Friday mornings (ugh, 8:30 am!).

Does anyone know where to get a really good, supportive, large cup-size sports bra? If I tried to do anything more than a walk in a regular nursing bra I think I'd hurt myself and I really want to work up to running again.