For the month of June, Podge and I adopted a 30 day healthy habit challenge. The goal was to exercise for 30 minutes every day and post photos each day on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

I’ve heard that it takes 30 days to adopt any new habit, and 30 days is a comfortable amount of time to try something new. The idea is that if after 30 days you don’t want to do it anymore, there’s no harm in calling it quits. It’s like a trial period. Then the next month you try a different healthy habit to see if you can get it to stick.

I can’t say that this challenge was always easy. There were some days when we found ourselves sore or tired. On those days we gave ourselves a break with yoga or physical therapy (exercises I have to do for my knees). We learned that it is important to listen to your body and be gentle when needed. Despite a crazy schedule, deadlines, and travel, we did it! And we feel great.

I wasn’t sure when we started if I would be willing to continue exercising every day after the month was up, but once you get started, it’s pretty easy to keep going. I say let’s do it! I mean, we have all the fitness gear. Might as well keep using it…

Even Podge has her own workout accessories. Over the course of the month, I made her a headband, leg warmers, gym towel, and a yoga mat and bag. Now you can make them for your squirrel friend, too, with my patterns below. And enjoy the gallery of photos from our month of exercise. Some of these really crack me up!

Podge’s Fitness Gear

Leg Warmers (Make 2)

Materials

DK-weight yarn in the color of your choice
C-2 (2.75 mm) crochet hook
Yarn or tapestry needle

Instructions

Ch 11 and join with slst to form a ring. Ch 1.

Rnd 1: Sc in ea ch around. (10)

Rnd 2: Sc in ea sc around. (10)

Rnd 3: *Sc in ea of the next 3 sc, sc2tog, rep from * 1 more time. (8)

Rnd 4: Sc in ea sc around. (8)

FO and weave in ends.

Headband

Materials

Fine weight cotton yarn
B-1 (2.25 mm) crochet hook
Yarn or tapestry needle
Cotton thread or floss in the color of your choice
Needle

Instructions

Ch 31. Turn

Row 1: Sc in e ach across, ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in ea sc across. FO, leaving a long tail.

Using the tail and careful not to twist the headband, sew the two ends of the headband together.

With cotton thread and needle, embroider a zig-zag on the headband using the holes that naturally occur between Rows 1 and 2.

Yoga Mat and Crochet Yoga Mat Bag

Materials

A sheet of 1.5 mm thick craft foam
Ruler and pencil
Scissors
Sock yarn in the color of your choice
Waste yarn
D-3 (3.25 mm) crochet hook

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Yoga Mat

Using the ruler and pencil, measure and draw a rectangle 3” x 8” onto the foam. Cut out the rectangle. Note: This size mat was perfect for Podge, as it was just long enough for her to lie down on. In case your squirrel is larger or smaller than Podge, you might want to have him or her lay down on the mat to make sure it’s the right size before you cut it out.

Roll up your mat along the shorter edge and tie a length of waste yarn around the roll to keep it closed.

Step 2: Crochet the Bag

With sock yarn, ch 2 (or begin with a magic circle).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (or into the magic circle and pull tight to close).

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)

Rnd 3: * Sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * 5 more times. Join with slst. (18)

Rnd 4: Working in BL only, * Ch 5, sk, sc in next st, rep from * 7 more times.

Rnd 5: * Ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp. Rep from * until your bag is as tall as your rolled-up mat.

Note: Try to keep your scs in the middle of the ch-sps.

After your last sc, do not FO, do not break yarn. Make a chain that is 8” long. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Thread this through the ch-sps in the last rnd. I found it looks best to thread through each loop from back to front. Then to make the strap, thread the trail of the chain through the bottom center hole. Pull tight and weave in the end or tie it with the tail from the start of the pattern.

Monogrammed Workout Towel

Materials

Worsted-weight yarn
D-3 (3.25 mm) crochet hook
Embroidery thread
Yarn needle or tapestry needle

With yarn, ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and ea ch across. (10)

Rows 2-5: Sc in ea sc across. FO and weave in ends.

With embroidery floss and a back stitch, embroider a straight line along the bottom of the towel. Embroider the first initial of your squirrel’s name if you like using a back stitch or a stem stitch. I made Podge’s “P” really simple, but feel free to get as fancy as you like with the monogram. Search for “free hand embroidery letter pattern” online to get you started.