Pat Adwers has the body of a woman half her age but she didn't always look so fit.

She says, "I was 49 and my kids moved out and I was weighing more than I was pregnant. I thought it was time to start running and working out and I have been keeping it up ever since."

Adwers has been on the move for the past 16 years. She even completed a marathon.

"Once you get off the couch you can get out and start walking and then the more you do and the faster you go," she says.

Adwers participates in a program called Group Active at Lakeside's Wellness Center. Fitness instructor Carol Eberly says fewer than 20 percent of Americans exercise at least five times a week.

She says you don't even have to join a gym.

She says, "You can do push-ups. You can do tricep dips. You can do squats and lunges by using your own body weight. It will help build up strength. You can get bands to help build up the strength."

Eberly says workouts should include four different areas: cardio; strength training; balance and flexibility.

To stay committed, team up with a buddy, schedule your workouts, and try to go early in the day.

Carol says, "Evenings are so busy, whether it's with kids -- other things come up in the evening. It's easy to do something else."

Pat Adwers says exercise keeps her in balance and she says all it takes is a few small steps to get started.

"Walking is good because it gets you moving," she says. "It's lots better than doing my crossword and my jigsaw puzzles."

For more information on the Wellness Centers with Alegent Health, click here.

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