The advice still applies: daily exercise is a healthy habit. Experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise five to six  days per week. For many of us, exercise means expensive health clubs, complicated equipment, sweating, achy muscles and anything but fun.

step one is to think of exercise in terms of “daily activity.” We are meant to move, but over the years we have accumulated more electrical appliances doing our daily activity – we don’t hang out our laundry or even rake leaves anymore. Activity has multiple benefits for our health. It –

• Reduces the risk of developing and/or dying from

heart disease

• Reduces high blood pressure or the risk of

developing it

• Reduces high cholesterol or the risk of developing it

• Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer

and breast cancer

• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes or improves

blood sugar control

• Reduces or maintains body weight or body fat

• Builds and maintains healthy muscles, bones,

and joints

• Reduces depression and anxiety

• Enhances work, recreation and sport performance

step two is to decide why you need to have more activity. Motivation gets us started and then the habit keeps us going. Think of your reasons. Do you want to see your grandchildren grow up? Do you just want to feel better and have more energy?

Step three is to get moving. The best time to do an activity is the time that fits your schedule. The best activity is the one that you will do. Ways to add activity to your daily routine can include:

• Stand up or walk around while talking on the phone

• Walk to a coworker’s desk instead of calling or

sending an e-mail

• Eat for 20 minutes, then walk for 10 minutes

during your lunch break

• Take your groceries into the house two bags at a time

to create more trips

• Walk or move during TV commercials

• Put the remote control on top of the TV

• Get a pedometer, work slowly up to a goal of

10,000 steps per day

• Have walking meetings at work

• Use the stairs

• Park your car farther away

• Don’t use drive up windows. Park and walk in

• Walk the dog

• Garden, weed the flower bed, push-mow the yard

• Play ball or ride bikes with your children or

grandchildren

Be creative – have fun – and get moving! CDS serves as a bridge between you and your health care provider. Call 901-327-9440 to begin classes.

Beth McKinzie, R.N., has been a certified diabetes educator for over 20 years. She served 23 years in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps and is a member of the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. She has been the clinical director of CDS since October 2006.