30 Days Of Exercise Prompts
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Creative Writing Prompts For How-To Articles
Take an idea below, modify it, change, it, or expand on it. But whatever you do, don’t stop until you turn it into a 500 to 1,000 word how-to article for a health and fitness magazine. (Remember to cite your sources.)

1. Why should I stretch before exercising?
   
   
2. How can I set an exercise routine I can stick with?
   
   
3. What type of exercise program is best for my personality and schedule?
   
   
4. How can I prevent boredom once I become more fit?
   
   
5. How can I exercise with infants and toddlers underfoot?
   
   
6. How can I get my teenagers to exercise with me?
   
   
7. How can I pick the right exercise equipment?
   
   
8. How can I pick the right fitness gym?
   
   
9. What is the proper way to lift weights?
   
   
10. When should I increase pounds on the weights I use?
    
    
11. Why is flexibility important to my fitness level?
    
    
12. What is aerobic exercise really? And how does it affect my overall health?
    
    
13. What is cardio exercise and what does it do for my body?
    
    
14. What is a core exercise and what does it do for my body?
    
    
15. What is interval training and what does it do for my body?
    
    
16. How can I incorporate _______ into my daily workout?
    
    
17. Is there a fitness test I can take that will tell me the level of fitness I am at? And once I find out, what can I do to change things?
    
    
18. Why does exercise raise my good cholesterol and can it lower my bad cholesterol?
    
    
19. Will exercise help with my medical condition (insert condition, i.e.: emphysema, muscular sclerosis, fibromaylagia, etc.)
    
    
20. When should I consider hiring a personal fitness trainer to help me with my exercises? And what should I look for?
    
    
21. Why is eating healthier important to my fitness program? And what should I be eating?
    
    
22. What are calories and how does exercising burn calories and benefit my body?
    
    
23. How can exercising reduce stress and which exercises are the best stress reducers?
    
    
24. Why is it important to control my blood sugar by exercising at the same time every day, for the same amount of time?
    
    
25. Why is water aerobic and/or swimming a good way to stay physically fit?
    
    
26. What’s the best liquid to drink after an exercise work out and why?
    
    
27. What type of clothing and footwear should I wear for my exercise routine (insert type of routine)? And why?
    
    
28. Should I keep a record of my workout regimen and if so how and why?
    
    
29. How can I trick myself into sticking with my new exercise program?
    
    
30. Should I weight train while I am losing weight or after I’ve lost a few pounds? Why or why not?

• Practice interviewing. Call a few colleagues, friends, or family members and ask questions related to the theme of your choice. Then weave the article around the quotes.
  
  
• Talk to a fitness professional and let him/her know that you don’t have an assignment yet, but you will pitch the article to target-appropriate magazines.