­­I’m a relative newcomer to Andalusia but I have enjoyed the months I have been here. I’ve gotten to meet many good people.

Frankly, I’m puzzled at the small number of people here who participated in a fitness program of any kind. When I go to Wal-Mart or any other public places in Andalusia, I am surrounded by people who are overweight and/or in poor physical condition. In 1999, at the age of 47, I survived a severe stroke. I appreciate the small amount of health I have regained and hope to maintain it. Don’t the local citizen here value their health? I urge each citizen to get into some kind of exercise program. Most of you don’t understand the true meaning of the word permanent. But when your health leaves you, believe me, you will wish you had taken the opportunities available to you to exercise on a regular basis. I urge you to get an exercise buddy if only for a walk on the nature trail at LBW or for a walk in your neighborhood. Also available are many good gyms in our area. The one I chose was the fitness center at LBW. The gym has a good variety of equipment and is available to anyone. You do not need to be a student to exercise there and the cost for the program is only $30 a semester (three to five months). Once again I urge everyone who reads this to shape up, Andalusia.

Joe Bates

Andalusia