SIT AND BE FIT'S CREATOR
MARY ANN WILSON, RN

  Mary Ann Wilson, RN, creator and host of SIT AND
  BE FIT, recognized a tremendous need to
  address the special fitness needs of older adults
  and people with chronic physical limitations.

 

  Using her background in geriatrics and post-polio

  rehabilitation, she designed a gentle program
  turning a simple chair into a wonderfully effective
  piece of exercise equipment.  Perceiving the tremendous need to reach homebound seniors, Mary Ann took her unique concept to public television stations. After much perseverance, she persuaded the local public television network, KSPS, to take a chance on SIT AND BE FIT. Thanks to her vision, SIT AND BE FIT has been airing nationally on Public Television since 1987. Today the show can be seen on more than 100 stations nationwide.

 

The response to SIT AND BE FIT has been overwhelming. People intimidated by other exercise programs warmly embrace Mary Ann's fun, safe, and effective routines. She receives a flood of mail and phone calls from appreciative viewers whose lives have been profoundly changed for the better by these balanced, easy exercises.

Mary Ann offers numerous lectures, seminars to healthcare professionals, caregivers, and hospital personnel; and has spoken at national and international health conferences. Despite her busy schedule, she volunteers her time to speak to various public groups in order to improve health and fitness. In addition, she continues to teach SIT AND BE FIT classes to retirement communities and uses input from participants to develop new exercises to update her program.

 Here is a brief outline of Mary Ann's background and current activities:

• Registered Nurse
• Executive Producer/Host, SIT AND BE FIT television series
• Executive Director/Founder, SIT AND BE FIT non-profit organization 
• Nationally certified by ACE (American  Council on Exercise) 
• Member, ASA (American Society on Aging)
• Member, NCOA (National Council on the  Aging)
• Member, SFA (American Senior Fitness Association) National Advisory Board
• Member, FEOAA (Fitness Educators Of Active Adults)
• Member, IDEA (International Dance  Exercise Association)
• Presenter, IDEA Conventions: 1987, 1988,  1989, 1991, 1995, 1996
• Presenter, ASA Conferences: 1995, 1996,  1997
• Presenter, 1st International Conference, Prevention: the  Key Health for Life, 1994
• Presenter, 4th International Congress, Physical Activity,  Aging and Sports, Heidelberg, Germany, 1996

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