My daughter gave me a “Fit-bit” for Christmas and I have made good use of it.

Recently, I completed more than 130,000 steps for the week ending April 1.

I have many of the same health problems many of you have. I take 14 pills each morning and nine at night. I have also survived a helicopter crash and 11 surgeries from my time in combat during the Vietnam War.

I believe that longevity has to do with staying active both mentally and physically.

One should exercise, which I do daily and make use of a plate planner, which consists of filling half of your plate with vegetables, one quarter of your plate with lean meat and the last quarter with a starchy choice. Milk and fruit should be part of your daily diet, as well.

I learned my better eating habits from the AARP Fresh Food Saving Foundation, and every first Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, I will man a booth in the vegetable section of Kroger.

I am aware that buying healthy food on a limited budget can be hard, so stop and talk with me.

I want to challenge my fellow AARP members to join me in the “Fit-bit” program and will contribute $50 to the purchase of a “Fit-bit” for the first person to join me in this program.

In addition, I encourage everyone, especially children to visit the Jacqueline House Community Garden on the 1300 block of Main Street, where the recent spring planting is expected to produce a bountiful harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables this summer.

The garden’s produce is free to all who come as long as they help weed it.

It is a place where all children, but especially, inner-city children, can learn to plant and produce their own food.

It is a place where they will learn that the food they eat doesn’t come from the store.

It’s also a place where this summer, children 12 years and under can come and sell watermelons for an hour and keep all the money they make.

Most of all, this community garden is for everyone to share.

We must be aware of everyone’s needs – and not just our own. You can come and get your meal for the day, but not for the week.

To all my fellow 50 plus NAACP members, AARP members, Senior Citizen Club members, Beulah Cemetery restoration committee members and American Legion Tyner-Ford Post 213 members, let’s start walking and eating more fruits and vegetables, so we can walk this year in the Memorial Day Parade.

I believe that we can improve our lives by exercising and changing our eating habits.

 

James L. Brown is a local retired First Sergeant from the U.S. Army.