Amy -- by ALL means, start small! I liked setting smaller goals to start because I wanted to make them. You'll This is all about MAKING a habit and you have to start where it's good for you. In fact, my first months of exercise back in Sept and Oct were each about 450 minutes. At the time, that was a good amount for me! Got me going a few days a week! But now, I CAN do more and NEED to do more... baby steps!

Azcyn -- It's fine to count walking, but in trying to make exercise a habit, I generally don't count the things in life I do anyway, but the things I am going out of my way to do for exercise. For me that includes exercises for my back, which are neither weights not cardio, but it doesn't include my weekly shopping as I have to do that anyway. However, if I had to do it but walked more or did it more intensely, then it might count for me (at least a portion of it). I did count some walking I did one day in downtown Chicago -- not the whole day, but the 20 minutes of it I specifically did more intensely.

I think everyone will have their own answer to the question of what counts as exercise minutes... maybe others can weigh in on how they make their decisions. I think for me, counting the minutes that help me make a habit is what is important.

Also, I wanted to thank everyone who commented on exercise vs. some distance measures (like Zelma's kids walking across Italy). I'm liking the minutes too, but just wanted to be sure no one was bored!

And after all that, I forgot to post my minutes! I did my weights at the gym and then decided to try the elliptical. When I first tried it I couldn't even do a minute! Every now and then (when there's one available) I try more. My previous best was 12 minutes, but today I got into a total groove and did 32 minutes!! I think my endurance has improved over the past few months!!

So, 52 minutes total for me.

Group total 654 + 52 = 706 minutes!

WOW you all are boogie-ing!

I went walking in the rain today. 30 min and will try to do more tonight.... I got 15 minutes in last night so will add 45 minutes!

706+45=751 minutes!

Personal total = 45 minutes

Brenda :wave:

751 + 75 = 826

Got to go back to the gym today! wow two days in a row, hurray!

Wyllen you go on that elliptical monster!!

I did 31 min treadmill, 23 min elliptical and the rest free weights and weight machines for a total of 75 min. Oh and stretches, I always forget to say stretches.

Yesterday, 30 minutes walking.

Today, 30 minutes walking, 20 minutes exercise ball, 20 minutes stretching, 10 minutes weights.

Right now, my biggest concern is that I'm not working my body hard enough in the time that I am exercising. I think that my walking and exercise ball exercises need to be stepped up in intensity and maybe cut back in time. I'm not adjusting my goal, but am going to try to start working harder at getting my heart rate up and keeping it up.

Group total is 826+110 minutes = 936 minutes.

brandnewme -- I know what you mean about not working hard enough. I had been doing great up until February I think... then I got sick and sick again, then my back flared up, and my intensity plummeted. I am trying to gradually build it up again to get teh most from my workouts.

That elliptical will do it, though! :) Wowsa!

Just a normal two-in-one day. 30 mins on the treadmill and 30 mins on the bike. Didn't even get a walk in with the kids because I had a meeting at that time and someone else took them for daily fitness.

Personal Goal... 1610 - 60 = 1550 mins left for April's goal of 1800

Group Total... 936 + 60 = 996

:carrot: Happy first working week in April everyone!:carrot:

Take care,:hug:

Zelma

After having dinner at my aunts house we went for a walk in the park!

My Goal 20 + 30 = 50

Group Goal 936 + 30 = 966

Group total 996 + 30 = 1026

Dont know what I am doing wrong here but I always read last post then put my taotal then more pop up..sorry yall..cyn

Hey girlz
Add 15 more for me. Going upstairs to take another turn at it. I too am trying to build myself up again!

Personal
45+15=60

300+ total 1026+15=1041

Brenda :wave:

Last night I did my 50 minute strength training tape, which puts my total at 70 minutes.

The group total is now 1041 + 50 = 1091

Good morning ladies,

Well, yesterday was my rest day so I managed to not do anything too physical despite my desire to. I'm glad I took the day off, my knees were a bit sore from the 2+ hours of fitness the day before.

This morning I got up late (it will be a hard week, trying to get used to the new time) so I only did 46 minutes instead of my regular 60. Alas, I shall make up for it on my next bike day. Tomorrow, I tackle the dreaded ELLIPTICAL! Eeek!

Group Total: 1091 + 46 = 1137

Have a good day y'all!

Took the dogs on a brisk walk for 15 min. May get something else in tonight, but I'm not gonna sweat it...

Group total ~ 1137 + 15 = 1152 minutes!

We can add another 30 minutes to the group total today. I wasn't able to do my normal workout today because I overslept. :( That's okay--I can catch up tomorrow.

New Group Total = 1152 + 30 = 1182

By the way, Wyllen--WOO-HOO, :bravo: :carrot: :cb: :cheer: on meeting that second goal. I am so happy for you!

1182 + 45 = 1227

10 min elliptical and the rest swimming for a change.
This time my son took my brother and I to the gym and we all did our thing and met in the pool. it was fun.

I did 23 minutes on the elliptical and 27 minutes on the treadmill, which brings my total to 120 minutes.

The group total is now 1227 + 50 = 1277

Hi ladies..looks liek we are all doin great!

My total today was 30 min walking and it was a bit hot out..lol

Group total 1277 + 30 = 1307

My goal 50 + 30 = 80

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar-pi...0/140/329/.png

I kinda cheated today. I fell behind with the housework over the weekend and I have people from work coming around for a meeting Thursday, so I decided to skip the exercise bike today (I don't want to do housework tomorrow on my birthday) and do an hour of housework instead. I won't count it as exercise, but I still feel OK, as vacuuming is pretty good movement I think.

I still did 30 mins on the treadmill, 15 mins of laps of the oval with the kids and 20 mins of strength training.

Personal Goal... 1550 - 65 = 1485 mins left of March's goal of 1800

Group Total... 1427 + 65 = 1492

:carrot: Keep moving everyone!:carrot:

Take care,:hug:

Zelma

I wanted my first day back after being sick to be kinda lot, but I'm surprised how strong I've gotten! I walked for 45 minutes this morning, will jump back on the weight training/resistance/aerobics tomorrow.

Group total:1492 + 45 = 1537

Walked my dog today for 40 minutes. It is a beeYOOOOOtiful day here in TX. I am so glad to be off work.

I am almost 25% of the way to my goal already. Maybe I should have set it higher, but probably not. I am off work this week so it is easy for me to get a daily walk in. I know when I am working I struggle with making it a daily habit. Iknow I can do it, I just haven't gotten to that point yet.

Have a great day everyone.

GROUP TOTAL 1537 + 40 + 1577

Xena -- don't worry if you make that goal early -- just keep movin'!

Zelma -- I don't think you cheated at all -- you still moved!!

I got in an hour today! Walked the dogs, and then went right downstairs on the treadmill... finally, did my back exercises! I liked how I felt at the end!

Group total ~ 157 + 60 = 1637 minutes!

hey all

personal 60+30= 90 min

300+ total = 1637+30= 1667 minutes!

Brenda :wave:

I did 35 minutes on the treadmill, but missed on the weights again tonight. That brings my personal total to 155.

The group total is now 1667 + 35 = 1702

Did 30 minutes at Curves today...brings me to 60 min total. I wasnt sure if the 1st 30 min I did was included in the group total...? If so, that brings the total to: 1702 + 30 = 1732

I looked back and I didnt add my 1st 30 min to the total...oops!

So, the total is actually 1732 + 30 = 1762!

ok did 15 min strength training..boy my muscles are screaming for help lol

My goal 80 + 15 = 95 min so far going for 500 whoohoo

Group Total 1762 + 15= 1777

whoohoo 3 7's i am going to vegas lol

Yesterday I did 30 minutes at the gym. I've had a few busy days so I haven't been able to do my normal workout. :( Hopefully today will be better but it doesn't look like it. *sigh* So our new group total is:

1802 + 30 = 1832

Getting on the bike was so hard for me this morning! And getting up yesterday was a disaster - I stayed in bed instead of working out. This time change is really kicking my butt! It's like this every Spring! I don't know why on earth I didn't plan for it when making my workout schedule!!! I mean, I've been living in the country since 1988 - you think I'd gotten used to it by now. ::: sigh ::: Well, I guess I will just have to be OK with being behind my schedule this week. I'm sure I'll find ways to make up the time throughout the month.

OK, enought whinning! ::: grin ::::

Group Total: 1832 + 60 = 1892

Did 45 minutes aerobic with my BL DVD.

Group Total: 1892 + 45 = 1937

Ladies -- don't worry about being behind so early in the month. Last month I was sick and did NOTHING 4 of the first 5 days. But I did it. Just add a few extra minutes when you get back to it. Make that commitment!!

Pretty normal day yesterday except that I didn't get to walk laps with the kids again because I was out shopping for books instead (can never have enough books or do enough shopping I say) and the kids had Phys Ed with the specialist.

So... 30 mins on the treadmill in the morning and 30 mins on the bike in the evening.

Personal Goal... 1485 - 60 = 1425 mins left of my March goal of 1800.

Group Total... 1937 + 60 = 1997

I think that we are all still doing really well seeing as we are often facing other problems in our lives. It is just great that we can pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and just get back on with it.:carrot:

Take care,:hug:

Zelma

MariaLucia - Don't be so hard on yourself. I can't imagine right now getting up in the morning to exercise. Staying in bed is always so much more appealing! Where are you from, BTW?

Zelma - You can definitely never have too many books!

I made it 25 minutes on the elliptical and did another 35 minutes on the treadmill. That brings my total to 215.

The group total is now 1997 + 60 = 2057

ok i walked on my lunch break today.,, it was nice and cool!!
I walked for 25 minutes.

My total = 95 + 25 = 120 minutes ...380 min to go to reach goal!

Group Total 2057 + 25 = 2082

Did my 30 min at Curves today.

Brings the Group Total to 2082 + 30 = 2112

30 mins on treadmill, 15 mins of laps of oval and 30 mins on bike. Didn't get the home gym in as I had a meeting after school. Tomorrow is my 'rest' day, so I'll see everyone again Saturday. I'm actually driving to school tomorrow then walking down to a local park and walking BACK to school with some kids from school as it is "Walk Safely To School" day. We did this last year and it was fun! I'm glad it's going to be a nice day. It isn't a very long walk, so I don't think I will post the time.

Personal Goal... 1425 - 75 = 1350 mins left of March goal of 1800

Group Total... 2112 + 75 = 2187

:carrot: Great to see everyone moving!:carrot:

Take care,:hug:

Zelma

Did 45 min. Strength training today.

Group total: 2187 + 45 = 2232

I did 30 minutes today. It's been a busy week. *sigh*

New Group Total: 2232 + 30 = 2262

I'll do better tomorrow. :p Have a good day Chickies! :wave:

My TOM is kicking my butt, but I didn't want to break my exercise streak so I did 15 minutes on the stability ball. Even the weights were too much for me today - I just used my arms. That brings my total to 230 minutes.

The group total is now 2262 + 15 = 2277