"I barre so hard because I find it extremely satisfying for my all around well-being. The stretching and toning have firmed up some distinctly saggy bits and pieces, and by doing the weights in class, I have actually found some long lost muscles!"

- Debra
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Via Barre Body Studio

"I workout, because of my physical condition...It took me a few years to heed [my surgeon's] advice, but things have been a bit more tolerable physically with my neck ever since I started my physical fitness journey to alleviate my ailment. I have done, and I am still doing things that I once thought impossible because of my neck. Dedication, research, and a little sweat have paid dividends in helping me combat my degenerative situation. My neck hasn't been the only beneficiary of my dedication. Because of my efforts, my overall physical fitness and general wellbeing have improved."

- Muldoon MadMan
Anchorage, AK

"At age 30, I was going through a divorce and realized how unhappy I truly was, weighing in at my all-time highest weight of 215 pounds. I had an enlightened moment when I realized that I could do things that I enjoyed doing to work out, such as hiking outside in nature. Then I thought, what the heck, why not try running?

My biggest hurdle was believing in myself. I first learned to love myself, realized that I needed to take small steps, because they lead to bigger steps."

Emily S., 37
Leechburg, Pennsylvania
Via Runner's World

"Pure and simple, I was a couch potato heading for an early demise. My decision to get active and make changes in my life occurred with a health issue. It was then that I decided enough was enough. With a coordinated effort between my health care professionals and my desire to feel better, I started eating better, losing weight and I am now physically active six our of seven days."

- Guy H., 54
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

"I move because I feel more "well" during and after exercising or moving. If I do not move or exercise on a regular basis I do not feel mentally, physically or spiritually "well"!"

- Susan Y., 57
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

"...to support the programs that I really find essential to my wellbeing with Parkinson's [disease]. I like spending time with people who have the same condition as I do."

- David
Reflecting on #whyiwalk with the Parkinson's Step'n Stride Walk

"I always feel better afterwards. I can't recall a time where I said "I wish I didn't do that" after I worked out."

- Mark B.

"Exercise makes me love my body and consistently proud of what it can do. It keeps me sane and able to keep up with my students!"

- Andrea F.
Nova Scotia, Canada

"I move for many different reasons, physical and emotional, and my reasons can vary day-by-day, season-by-seaon. Moving is a choice motivated by my value to have a healthy body. I choose to move, because being sedentary is simply not an option."

- Anita P.
Absolutely Fitness and Yoga

Read the entire blog post at Fitness Matters

"If I ever get in a bad mood, I look at my peers with their oxygen bags, put on skates and smile."

- Yvonne D., 86
via Life Begins at 70