Happy Halloween!

Just wanted to pop in real quick and wish everyone a Happy Halloween!

Michael says Happy Halloween from "Pideyman!"

I'm super excited that November is almost here, and not only because of Thanksgiving. I've upped the ante next month by participating in National Blog Posting Month, which challenges bloggers to post every day for 30 days. Does this mean you're going to get the same ol' same ol' just in more quantity? Not quite. Yes, I will be making my usual posts multiple times a week, however, I am also setting up a challenge for YOU these next 30 days.

Don't worry. I am going to be participating with you!

So what's this challenge, you ask?

I am challenging YOU and your friends and family to Get Up and Move every day in November.

Do what? Yes, I know, I know, this blog is a food blog -- always has been, always will be. So where does this whole exercise bit come from? Americans are completely bombarded every day with messages to "lose weight with the quick and easy grapefruit diet", "drop 3 dress sizes by the end of the month!", "take this magic pill to keep those unwanted pounds off!". You know what I'm talking about. It saddens me. While weight loss for some people is a factor in their health, it's not the whole picture. And that's what we need to be focusing on -- health, not weight loss.

So for the next 30 days, that's what we going to be doing. Together. We are going to plan to make healthier choices when it comes to food and we are going to get up and get that blood flowing. Don't worry, I'm not going to leave you hanging with nothing to go on here. Every day I am going to post a diet and exercise related tip, debunk some common myths, investigate popular diet fads, among other health-related topics. Where do I get my info? Textbooks, exercise resource manuals, and academic peer-reviewed journal articles. No magazines referenced here (unless it's part of a question). No he-said-she-said, or I-heard-from-a-friend. Just facts. Which is what you deserve. (If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer them!)

Back to the challenge. What does it entail? Just get up and move. That's it. For the first 10 days of November, I am challenging you to get up and move around, getting that heart rate up a little bit, for at least 10 minutes. That's it. 10 minutes. It could be just getting out for a walk around the block, doing yoga in your bedroom, or having a dance party with your kids in the living room. Doesn't matter. Over the course of the month we will gradually increase this time to 30 minutes (10 minutes for the first 10 days, 20 minutes for the second 10 days, and 30 minutes for the last ten days). Think you can do it? I know you can. And I'll see you back here tomorrow.

Disclaimer: Because of course, it's necessary. If you have any known pulmonary disease (such as COPD), metabolic disease (such as diabetes or thyroid disorders), cardiovascular diseases, any pain in your chest, neck, jaw or arms with the onset of exercise, shortness of breath at rest or mild exertion, dizziness, shortness of breath while lying down, ankle edema, palpitations, leg pain that begins with the onset of exercise, or a known heart murmur check with your physician prior to starting any exercise program. The exercise and health advice presented are in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation. If at any point during your workout you begin to feel faint, dizzy, or have physical discomfort, you should stop immediately and consult a physician. Be smart, exercise safely.