Most Virginians want to stay fit, be physically active and eat a healthier diet, but have difficulty finding the time and motivation to get moving.

FitEx (www.fit-ex.org) is an 8-week physical activity program developed by Virginia Cooperative Extension to help Virginians improve exercise habits, diet and overall quality of life in a fun and challenging way.

Residents in the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward who are interested in FitEx are invited to sing up on the website www.fit-ex.org or contact Pauline Stokes at pstokes@vt.ed or (434) 392-4246 before April 10.

The FitEx program has already begun in the area and lasts until May 28.

FitEx encourages participants to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity such as brisk walking, running, yoga or biking on five or more days out of their week.

“This adds up to at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, the amount of aerobic physical activity recommended for adults by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,” Assistant Professor of Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise at Virginia Tech Samantha Harden said.

Over 2,000 FitEx participants have increased their physical activity by an average of 54 minutes per week and have eaten over 70,000 cups of fruit and vegetables per week — that’s 560,000 cups over the duration of the program.

FitEx encourages co-workers, friends and family members to join together in teams of six to partake in the program.

Each team has a captain who helps the group set goals for personal achievement.

The program also includes a nutrition component that promotes increased fruit and vegetable consumption.

Prior to participating in last year’s FitEx program, less than 30 percent of adult participants were meeting the national recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption, but by the end of the program well over 70 percent were meeting the recommendations.