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JACKSON, MI Head to the Jackson YMCA pool just about any day and youll find 97-year-old Betty Morris inspiring others to stay fit and active.

Exercising her mind and body is what has kept Morris sharp and young at heart, and she isnt slowing down just yet. Its important for everyone, including people her age, to keep moving every day, she said.

My son says Mother, dont you think you should slow down a bit, dont go quite so often? Morris said. I said No, no, I dont. I want to go.

Morris, a Jackson native, has become an inspiration to others and a bit of a celebrity at the YMCA, CEO Shawna Tello said, adding she serves as a reminder that mental and physical health are very important to people as they age.

Its a combination of her commitment to a healthy lifestyle, and then the support systems that shes built here at the Y, Tello said. That what makes Betty and other people like her so successful.

Morris has been going to the Jackson YMCA almost every day for 30 years. It all started when a friend was recommended by her doctor to start exercising more but was scared of going into the pool.

Shed never gone swimming, Morris said. I went out, got myself a suit, went over to her house and said, Youre going swimming. Weve got to get you a suit.

Today, Morris, who lives with her daughter Sue Ellen Condino, comes to the Y six days a week, sometimes twice a day, participating in the deep water exercise, Aqua Zumba and regular Zumba classes. She prefers the water exercises because theyre easy on her body.

The water, you dont have any repercussions, Morris said. You can jump up and down in it. You can do everything in there.

Her secret to getting up and going, she said, is dedication and, of course, naps. But its not just the exercise Morris enjoys. Its being around the people, too.

The YMCA gives Morris something to do and look forward to, she said, adding she enjoys the staff and other Y members and how friendly everyone is.

Everybody is so young here. They keep me young, Morris said. Im interested in (talking to) everybody.

Aside from the YMCA, Morris keeps busy attending Jacksons First Presbyterian Church. She also does word searches and reads when she can, which keeps her mind sharp, she said.

I know that theres times that I cant remember (things) but I do pretty good, I think, Morris said.

When shes feeling like a break, she usually turns on a little Judge Judy, she said.

But Morris is a big believer that people should keep exercising their body and mind as they age. Thats whats kept her going as long as she has, she said.

If youve never exercised -- start, Morris said. Because thats the main thing. You dont really have to go full force either. Just move.

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Meet Betty, the 97-year-old Jackson woman who hits the gym every day - MLive.com