Sit and Be Fit

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‘Sit and Be Fit’ Host Mary Ann Wilson Dies at 87 Mary Ann Wilson, a registered nurse who became a beloved television fitness instructor while encouraging people to “Sit and Be Fit,” has died at 87. Wilson s...

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/nov/06/the-symbol-of-fitness-sit-and-be-fit-star-spokane-/

'The symbol of fitness:' Sit and Be Fit star, Spokane's Mary Ann Wilson remembered for her dedication to health for all Mary Ann Wilson, the Spokane founder and face of the television workout program “Sit and Be Fit,” died Wednesday at the age of 87.

Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our fearless leader, Mary Ann Wilson. Sit and Be Fit was my mom's passionate dream. She loved, appreciated, and felt deeply connected to her viewers. Thank you for reciprocating that love, appreciation, and connection. A special thank you to KSPS-TV and every single public television station across the country serving older adults and other special populations in your communities with free access to Sit and Be Fit. My mom's greatest wish was to continue to be your exercise friend. Even in her passing she is cheering us on to "keep reaching out for a better day".
With love and gratitude,
Gretchen

FITMALAYSIA A movement by the Ministry of Youth & Sports to turn Malaysia into a sporting nation, by empowering its citizens with sports activities as a lifestyle choice.

KSPS PBS Honors the Life and Legacy of Mary Ann Wilson, RN
Creator and Host of Sit and Be Fit

Spokane, WA — November 5, 2025 — KSPS PBS mourns the passing and celebrates the extraordinary life and impact of Mary Ann Wilson, RN, creator and host of the long-running public television series Sit and Be Fit. For more than three decades, Mary Ann worked alongside KSPS PBS to produce and distribute a gentle, chair-based exercise program that brought strength, mobility, and hope to millions of viewers across the United States and Canada, including people living with limited mobility, chronic conditions, and those in rehabilitation settings.

Debuting from the KSPS PBS studios in 1987, Sit and Be Fit became a trusted and beloved resource for older adults and anyone seeking safe, accessible, health-centered fitness that supports independence and well-being. The series grew from a Spokane original into a nationally distributed program seen on hundreds of PBS stations, with more than 400 episodes produced.

“Mary Ann was one of the kindest people I have known, and viewers felt that kindness in every episode,” said Skyler Reep, Interim General Manager of KSPS PBS. “She was beloved not only for her expertise as a nurse and health educator, but for the way she encouraged each of us to keep moving and keep going. We are grateful to have known her, to have learned from her, and to carry her mission forward in service to our communities.”

As a registered nurse, health educator, and passionate advocate for senior wellness, Mary Ann devoted her life to making exercise accessible, safe, and joyful for people of all ages and abilities. Her work stands as a reminder of why local, noncommercial public television exists. It exists to educate and uplift, to reach people whom commercial media too often overlooks, and to create programming that begins in our neighborhoods and changes lives far beyond them.

How to honor Mary Ann’s legacy:

Share your Sit and Be Fit memories and stories at facebook.com/kspspbs
Watch Sit and Be Fit every weekday at 11:30 AM Pacific on KSPS PBS and watch for a special on-air tribute to celebrate her life and work.
Make a contribution in her memory at ksps.org/give to help sustain the kind of inclusive, service-driven programming that Mary Ann championed.

Mary Ann Wilson’s life reminds us that compassion, education, and service can move us all, body, mind, and heart. KSPS PBS will continue this vital work as a local, noncommercial station committed to connecting, enriching, and inspiring the communities we serve.

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New Episodes Heading Your Way and Guest Instructor Jeff Brooks Shares Expertise!

New episodes headed your way! Giving your loved ones the gift of exercise signifies more than just a simple gesture. It's an earnest expression of your deep concern for their well-being and symbolizes your heartfelt desire for them to embrace a life filled with vitality and health. If Sit and Be Fit workouts are the right gift ...

Giving your loved ones the gift of exercise signifies more than just a simple gesture. It's an earnest expression of your deep concern for their well-being and symbolizes your heartfelt desire for them to embrace a life filled with vitality and health.

To take advantage of our Mother’s Day sale, use the coupon code mom20% at checkout and receive a 20% discount on your order.

Click HERE: https://www.sitandbefit.org/product-category/dvds/

Great news! Mary Ann and Gretchen have been hard at work producing new Sit and Be Fit episodes. Watch for the release of Season 19 in May and release Season 20 later in the year.

Neuroscientist, Matthew Walker, shares six tips for better sleeping.

6 tips for better sleep Want to not only fall asleep quickly but also stay asleep longer? Sleep scientist Matt Walker explains how your room temperature, lighting and other easy-to-fix factors can set the stage for a better night's rest.

Happy New Year! As you can read in the Healthline article linked here, being able to stand on one leg for 10 seconds is an important skill to develop in order to live longer and avoid falls. Let's make it our goal in 2023!

Standing on One Leg for 10 Seconds and Your Health Experts say the inability to stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds can be an indicator of general health problems

Happy Holidays from Sit and Be Fit!

Dear Exercise Friends,
We hope you are making special time for yourself to relax and enjoy this holiday season. One of our viewers sent us a fun letter with a creative drawing inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas. We enjoyed it so much, we wanted to share it with you!

"Dear Mary Ann Wilson, Gretchen and the entire Sit and Be Fit team,

When my sisters and I discovered Sit and Be Fit on our PBS channel a few years ago, we developed a new "habit"– exercise with Mary Ann every weekday morning. Now we have a DVR option through our cable company so we can exercise any day and any time through our TV set, along with the DVDs we purchased from you.

We shared this daily regimen with our general practitioner and physical therapist and they were so excited about our commitment to good health. Through your advice and exercise routines, we are strengthening our joints, improving our posture and increasing our balance security. I am getting ready for an artificial hip surgery on the left leg. My surgeon is pleased with my weight loss and muscle strength.

As for the stretching exercises, our favorite is the modified quad stretch. When we perform this, we feel like the majestic figureheads on the bow of many seafaring vessels. It makes us even stand up taller and taller!"
- Aileen

CORRECTED Holiday 2022 Special -

CORRECTED Holiday 2022 Special

Are you shopping Cyber Monday deals or plan to this Christmas season? Amazon Smile will donate a portion of your purchases to a participating non-profit organization. Click the link below to support Sit and Be Fit while you do your holiday shopping this year!

Support Sit and Be Fit by shopping at AmazonSmile. When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Sit and Be Fit. Support us every time you shop.