I play tennis. Everybody knows that. But, to stay healthy everybody does not have to get out on the courts and slam that tennis ball around like I do, every chance I get.

I have plenty of health problems in my family history… diabetes, heart disease, cancer… but, I’ve decided not to sit around and wait for them
to slow me down… I keep moving right now.

You DO have to do something. Take a walk. If not around your block, then grab those sport shoes (I hesitate to call them tennis or running shoes) and go a one of Milwaukee’s terrific parks and walk around to at least 30 minutes everyday. Can’t go to a park? Walk around the parking lot at work during your lunch break instead of sitting and eating. No parking lot? Park your car at the end of the lot at the mall and walk into the stores, then walk around the whole mall a couple of times (not strolling while looking in store windows, that doesn’t count). Take a brisk walk around the whole mall. Then treat yourself to a
little shopping, even sit at the food court and have some juice.

Walking not your style? How about exercise at home. There are still those shows on TV that teach you how to exercise without anybody else watching. I’ve used that a few times instead of taking a nap on the couch. After 30 minutes of exercise you will be surprised. Oh, at first you may get a little stiff since your muscles are not used to doing a new kind of work. But after a day or two, they will be used to it and begin to get stronger. You will also feel something you may not have felt since 5th grade… energy!

The very best exercise, experts tell us, is swimming. Even if you cannot swim (I am a sinker. I have had lessons three times and failed three classes) but, anybody can get in a pool at the shallow end and run in place. The resistance of the water increases the faster you move your arms and legs, and that gives you plenty of exercise. There are lots of classes for water exercise at the YMCA and you may even make some new friends in the pool.

So get up and get moving! You have no excuse! After all, who gets the benefit of you getting more exercise? YOU!

Get up girls, and MOVE IT!!

- Joanne Williams, Fox 6 Anchor