The good news: My jeans finally fit comfortably again.
The bad news: They’re maternity jeans and I’m not pregnant.*
I seriously need to get back into my old jeans, primarily because they have pockets I can stuff with chewed bubble gum, used tissues, rocks, and every other imaginable treasure my little explorers hand me. Therefore, I need to kick up the exercise a bit…as in, start doing it.
So…what am I gonna do about it?
I’m glad you asked.
To help me on my journey, some of my daughters and I have joined J-La-Sta’s 10,000 Walking Steps Challenge as she describes at A Work in Progress. It’s really quite simple.
You need some of these (in your own size)
and one of these (the pedometer, not the cutie, although I highly recommend a few of those around the house)
and you do this.
That’s it!
What are the details of the challenge?
The challenge runs for twelve weeks beginning on January 8 (but jump in whenever you can).
Track your steps daily and enter your day’s total in the online log found through A Work in Progress, or keep your own records for a personal challenge.
Your goal is to work up to a consistent average of 10,000 steps a day.
While there is a small prize involved, the ultimate prize is improving your fitness and activity levels…and fitting into jeans with pockets.
I love the low commitment involved in this simple exercise plan. All you have to do is walk—anywhere, anytime, wearing anything (but preferably something). Walking Miss Colic back and forth counts. Taking my three-year-old to the bathroom counts, too! Taking laps in the backyard counts. Running away from the neighbor’s dog while screaming like a sissy totally counts…maybe even double.
How do you sign up?
J-La-Sta has set up a team challenge board to keep each other encouraged (or challenged, depending on your personality), which you can access through A Work in Progress. Leave a comment on her post and follow the link. She’ll add you to the team.
Don’t have a pedometer?
J-La-Sta uses this pedometer you can slip in your pocket or hang around your neck. Some people have phone apps that turn their cellphones into pedometers. My family uses the cheapies from Walmart and some freebies we’ve picked up over the years. If you want to spend a bit more, you can find pedometers that do everything except microwave your leftovers.
Are you with me on my simple exercise plan?
*To be entirely fair to li’l ol’ me, my baby is only 6 weeks, two days, and one hour old, so maternity pants aren’t really taboo…are they?