Errrr should be said in a kind of harsh, guttural, unhappy way, because I don’t really want to commit to exercising for 30 days. So I’m only going to commit to 24. Sundays off, people. There’s a reason God commanded us to take a day of rest: we need it.

Exercise Is in the Eye of the Baby Holder

I use the term exercise rather loosely. I have two itty bitty wonderful babies and a busy schedule. There will be no trips to the gym (which would require a membership anyway), no aerobics classes, no training for a marathon. Not any running or jogging or any movement faster than what I could do behind a double stroller.

The Stated Goal: Cardio + Toning

My daily goal is 15 - 30 minutes of cardio: walk, dance, work-out dvd at home; and 10 - 15 minutes of toning: stretching, strength, weights, abs. Minimum, then, is under 30 minutes (15 cardio plus 10 toning), so it’s doable even on busy days.

I miss being active. I was getting up early and walking before the babies woke up for a while, but I let the cold winter keep me in. Now that it’s getting warmer, I want to get outside and get the kids outside too. We all need to breathe air that hasn’t been recirculating through our house all day. Mmm mmm good.

Sexy Abs by Evening?

It’s not raining today, so after morning naps and lunch I will load them up and we’re off for a nice, brisk little walk. I did some crunches this morning. Joe was walking out the door and I yelled after him, “I’ll have sexy abs when you come home tonight!” I am going to have to do quite a few more crunches before that’s true. Maybe in 24 days…

While we’re out, I’ll stop in the library and pick up a couple of exercise dvds. I need something for rainy days, which we’re supposed to have more of later this week. I’ll also be looking for a good deal on a set of weights (light ones) and a mat. And an exercise ball! And a stretchy rubber work-out band! And sports bras! And new tennis shoes! And a tennis racket! And lipo!

The Rest of the Story

In keeping with this month’s challenge - exercise, in case you forgot - I’ll do some writing on health, exercise, and nutrition this month. I have at least five books I want to read and review. (Two of them are quite large, so I will break it down and just do sections of each, most likely.)

Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss.

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. This book has the greatest subtitle I’ve ever heard.

Today’s Herbal Health by Louise Tenney, M.H.

Chicken Soup and Other Folk Remedies by Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen. (Think they’re related?)

Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb.

I notice as I write this list that they are all on nutrition, herbs, natural medicine and none discussing exercise and fitness. I’ll just keep a weather eye out for some good information on that subject. Something besides my own daily adventures, that is.

Help Me

I need, crave, long for, yearn to have the voice of experience here. I didn’t play any sports growing up (something I now regret). I’ve never jogged more than maybe 3 miles at a time, and that nearly killed me. My work-out gear is my pair of blue and green Saucony shoes. I consider climbing trees a viable strength-training routine. I have horrible balance. I fall over during those stretching routines that require you to lift one leg and one arm at the same time. I do frequently drink water out of those squirty-top bottles, so that gives me kind of an edge.

So, any tips, tricks, recommendations, routines, secrets, advice that you healthy, fit, active, sporty people have: share them with me, please!