Being active is one of the most positive things you can do to improve your overall health and:

-lower your blood sugar;

-lower your blood pressure;

-help you lose weight or maintain your weight;

-improve your heart and lung health;

-improve your well being;

-improve your muscle tone and strength.

Keep active every day. Activity does not mean having to run a marathon. It's doing the things you enjoy -gardening, biking or walking.

Other ideas for activities include swimming, cross-country skiing, dancing, bowling, curling, golf and using your stationary bike or treadmill.

Whatever form of activity you choose... enjoy it! . . . and keep it up all year!

And guess what, you can even take advantage of the chores you are not so fond of, vacuuming, dusting, cutting the grass. These can all be included as activities to improve overall health.

Before starting a new activity, discuss your plans with your doctor. Begin with a comfortable amount of activity. Start slowly and gradually. Try to work up to 20 to 45 minutes of non-stop activity at least three times each week.

• Pick a time when activity would fit most comfortably into your day. Early morning? After lunch? Evenings?

• Include family and friends whenever you can.

• Be more active at work by:

• Delivering messages by hand instead of by phone;

• Getting off the bus a stop or two sooner;

• At lunch time take a walk or run an errand.

• Be more active at home by: