Before she had the surgery that would remove a quarter of her leg, I visited my grandmother at the hospital. She was on the fifth floor and the kind folks at the reception desk directed me to take the elevator which was just down the hall to the left. I took the stairs instead. I knew I wasn't getting to the Y that night and health care experts are always going on about how every little bit of exercise you get counts. I really wasn't thinking about the stairs on that level though. I took them not to burn off a few calories but because I am able. I can skip up five flights and not think much more of it. My grandmother cannot but then she's been beyond getting up stairs on her own for years now. The thing is her age and diabetes are only part of the problem. In all my life I can't think of single instance where I saw her move at anything other than a walk and as a result she has carried extra weight her entire life. It's gotten me thinking about my own health and that of my family. My mother is near to going down the same road as my grandmother. Worse though since she smokes. She used to walk the mile or so to and from work but she's had a car these past few years and now drives instead. My sister has a condition called Ehlers Danlos (type III) and has had surgery so many times I have lost count. Needless to say her mobility is limited. She used to play ice hockey but she can't skate anymore because her joints are a mess. And then there's Jimmy. He has zero use of his arm due to the stroke and his leg doesn't allow for anything other than walking. My brothers Robby and Billy are both healthy and active. Robby has to be being a fireman and Billy has been obsessed with fitness his entire life. My own obsession began a few years ago. There's just no living with an Iron-Man in training without picking up the exercise bug. I started with a yoga course and it sorta just snowballed from there. Now I have my aerobics and step classes at the Y. Run little 5K races here and there and ride horses twice a week. Not to mention taking those stairs whenever I can. Most of it began as an effort to lose weight...for vanity not health reasons. Now I look at these things I do with appreciation for the body that allows me to do them. I ride horses for a number of reasons. Yeah, I'm a girl and I love horsies. But it's also a discipline that requires effort and determination to do well. And there's also that mysterious spell it has over me. I have to do it. I go to step class not only to burn calories but because it's fun. It's the closest thing I get to going out dancing these days. (WHY are there no decent dance clubs for the over 30???) And I run little road races for the free beer and t-shirts. Beneath all these reasons is the simple fact I do it because I can. Use it or lose it people, no joke!