Katie mentioned in our Welcome May post that we have an exercise initiative this month. We are challenging ourselves to a bit of exercise every single day. Remember when we were encouraging you to Get Outside? Well, it’s as easy as that. We’re not running marathons or working on a squat max, we’re simply trying to sweat a little bit each day of May and beyond. I made a simple goal in my phone for the month: be too busy for Facebook and sweat enough each day that a shower is necessary.

Exercising is as simple as leaving your house and going for a walk. Start easy, start free.

You don’t need an intense workout plan and a protein smoothie to consider your activity exercise. Ease into this goal if you’re new to exercising on the regular. Make it enjoyable so that you stick with it.

• Step out into your backyard or onto your city block and start walking. There you go, today’s exercise goal is started. Now keep going!

• Pick activities that are free. You don’t need to pay for a walk. Shooting hoops doesn’t cost a dime. Dropping down in a plank while your kid is playing on the playground is free and potentially inspiring to other moms and dads.

• Get to know your neighborhood. Where are there hidden opportunities for exercise? Maybe there are monkey bars at a nearby playground or a trail that needs to be hiked. Maybe it’s finally time to check out that rock climbing gym or the local yoga studio.

Incorporate intentional exercise into your existing activities.

• Whatever you are already doing throughout the day, there’s probably some room to amp it up a little bit.
• Walk further with your dog.
• Walk faster with your partner.
• Add a few squats and keep a nice form when you pick up your children’s toys.
• Do some curls with the grocery bags.
• Lunge while you dust.

You think I’m kidding, but once you start adding in a few reps here or there or improving your form to existing movements, you will increasingly encourage yourself to exercise bit by bit.

Get your friends involved.

A daily exercise initiative is a great activity for buds. Ask your friends to join you in this modest quest. Keep each other accountable whether it’s in person, through social media, or with a quick phone call while you’re out for your evening walk. There’s no need to make a daily exercise goal intimidating rather it should be inviting. So invite those pals!

Have fun!

So far this month, I’ve gone bouldering at a gym, kayaked on a lake, went for a couple of hikes, and explored two new-to-me parks in Seattle. This exercise initiative is meant to be fun and fulfilling. It’s meant to inspire future activities and to remind yourself how easy it is to incorporate a little movement into your daily life. All it takes is 15 minutes, but before you know it you’ll be indulging in a full fifty.

If you want to see how I manage to relax and exercise at the same time, join me for some nature time in June! Here are details for my North Carolina retreat!