WJZ Report Inspires Md. Woman To Get Up And Go

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Researchers say only half of U.S. citizens are getting enough exercise. A lot of people say they have trouble starting and then sticking with it.

Mike Schuh shows us a woman, who, after seeing a story here on WJZ, got the inspiration to get off the couch.

It was a WJZ report in August that inspired Maddie Korber.

"The freeze frame was a bunch of people wearing neon clothes and I was curious what was going on," she said.

"The November Project," a free exercise collaborative, spoke to Maddie.

"So I saw it, I was like, 'These people seem wonderful, I need to go next Wednesday,'" she said.

...And the next Wednesday, and the Wednesday after that.

"Everybody has that moment when they decide they want to show up for the first time," said Sydney Van Horn.

Sydney and two friends run the local group. It's a really friendly bunch.

"This is like going on a first date and starting exercise all at the same time," she said. "You're scared of what people are going to think, you're scared about being alone and you're afraid of what your exercise fitness level may look like."

Mostly, it's non-judgmental.

"We encourage one another, and so I wind up doing more than I would have done otherwise," said Korber.

After just six weeks, Maddie signed up for the marathon relay.

"She's a beast," said Van Horn.

"If you're watching this and anything that I've said has resonated with you at all, you should totally come check out the November Project," Korber said.

Inspiration, it's said, overrides fear.

"The November Project" meets in cities all over the world. For more information, CLICK HERE.