2018 Smell the Flowers Fitness Challenge

Smell the Flowers Spring 2018 Fitness Challenge by Woodleaf UMC Health Ministry

Woodleaf United Methodist Church's health ministry presents our Spring 2018 Free Fitness Challenge! This challenge begins Sunday, January 7 and continues for ten weeks through Saturday, March 17. Our fitness challenges seek to nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits. Each week, we will focus on a different flower found in North Carolina along with a Bible verse mentioning a flower or garden for reflection.

The challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes/day; you are welcome to set your own individual fitness goals for the challenge if you prefer. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and at least two days of weight-bearing exercises weekly. Children exercise recommendations by the CDC include at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise with muscle-strengthening activities at least three times weekly. For more information on CDC exercise recommendations, click here.

Types of exercise may be any activity that gets your heart pumping harder, breathing deeper, and/or working your muscles. Examples from previous challenges include walking, group exercise classes, yard work, cleaning, weight lifting, use of machines such as an elliptical, and water exercise. You may wish to mix up your exercise routine to accommodate weather patterns and any special needs. Woodleaf United Methodist Church offers eight free group exercise classes per week - feel free to join us for some classes this spring.

If you are interested in joining the challenge, email NurseforWoodleafUMC@gmail.com. Each week runs Sunday through Saturday; participants submit how many minutes they exercise each week by Tuesday at noon of the following week. Submissions may be via email, in person at the church, or by phone. If you wish to use the form to keep on track, feel free to pick one up at the church or print the form in this article. Weekly results are displayed in graph form on our blog - no names are published with the results. Children should get the permission of an adult to participate. Anyone with any health issues should consult a healthcare provider to determine what types of exercise are safe for him or her before starting a fitness challenge.

Although we are currently in winter months, spring and all its glorious flowers are preparing to dazzle us with their beauty. Come, smell the flowers, and join us on this healthy journey!

Printable Time Recording Sheet for 2018 Smell the Flowers 10-week Free Fitness Challenge