For some people, like Eric, physical activity is essential to dealing with health conditions and improving life in general. Here's how Eric does it:

"Being physically active has really enhanced my life. I used to suffer from back pain, not having a lot of energy, joint pain, and no strength. And I also had two surgeries on my elbow and wrist, in which they inserted screws and a plate in my wrist.

"If I did not exercise, I would have joint pain that would prohibit me from doing my job. I work out five to six days a week doing strength, cardio, and flexibility training. You would be surprised how must stretching can improve your health. And before I started exercising on a regular basis, my weight was 212 pounds. Now I am at 166, which I have mainitained for four years with exercise and proper diet. And I allow myself one cheat meal a week to reward myself."

Shared on May 6, 2008 Share your story

Shawn, who lives in Asheville, lets us know how much his whole family enjoys getting physical activity:

"My wife and I joined the YMCA in December of 2007, and as much as we enjoy going three to four days a week to our local YMCA, my 4-year old daughter loves the Y more then we do. I’m not sure what keeps us coming back, to lose weight, get in shape, or because our 4-year-old demands it."

Shared on May 6, 2008 Share your story

Our latest Share Your Story item is from Varsha:

"In my mid 30s, I got diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes and so have to monitor my blood glucose many times a day. It is on the days that I have exercised that I feel better in myself, because my blood glucose behaves better. I always enjoyed walking as part of my exercise routine, but now I value it even more."

Shared on May 6, 2008 Share your story

Steve is not only getting the physical activity he needs to improve his health, he's tracking his progress. And the numbers don't lie - he's better off than he was a year ago. Here's Steve's story:

"I moved to North Carolina last year from Maryland. I had gained a lot of weight and my cholesterol numbers were bad.

"I started working out towards the end of June 2007 and weighed 206 pounds. I now work out 4-5 times per week mixing elliptical, treadmill and weight training. In October of 2007 I met my first goal of weighing 185 pounds. My new goal was to reduce my body fat to 15% by Christmas. Having achieved that, my new goal is to get to at least 9% body fat by Memorial Day.

"A strict regimen of eating right and physical fitness is getting me closer to that goal each week. My cholesterol dropped 30 points and my triglycerides dropped 80 points. Physically, I feel better than I have in a long time."

Shared on May 4, 2008 Share your story