17 January 2018

Living Healthy In Brooklyn Is Easier Than You Think

By Ann Sullivan


The amount of people who are overweight or obese has skyrocketed, and with it a huge increase in related diseases. Most people are already at risk for things like cancer or diabetes based on family history, and being unhealthy increases that risk a lot. If you are worried about your overall well being and wish to be more fit or eat better, then there are plenty of resources for living healthy in Brooklyn.

Being fit does not start as an adult, or even as a child as some people think. It starts in the womb, which is why pregnant women really need to watch what they eat and drink. If you are a first time expectant mother, then signing for for Healthy Start Brooklyn or a similar program will help you a lot. You will get access to tons of resources, including home visits before and after your pregnancy, pamphlets and booklets, and groups as well.

Most major cities have local groups where people meet up on a regular basis to discuss their shared goals when it comes to healthy living, and provide assistance and encouragement to one another in achieving them. To find some in Brooklyn, all you have to do is search the internet, which has information on many of these groups. You can find general ones, or more specific ones like groups for runners, vegans, cooking and more.

If you want to eat better but also save money, the best way to do that is to do your own cooking. Consider taking a local healthy eating cooking class, where you will learn how to make dishes that utilize fresh, seasonal ingredients to help you lose or maintain your weight.

Being fit means exercising, but it is hard to stay on a regimen if you do it by yourself. That is why joining a gym is a great idea, and Brooklyn is chalk full of them. You can even join one that is focused on a particular area, like a yoga studio or boxing gym if that appeals to you. There are also general ones that have amenities like pools and even rock climbing walls.

If fresh air is preferable to you over the indoor gyms, then you can make all the local parks and public spaces your gym instead. Brighton Beach Park lets you run or jog on the sand while enjoying the waterfront view and sea air. Prospect Park is great for bikers or joggers as well. And you can walk the entire Brooklyn Bridge starting from the nearby park, which also gives you a great view of this very famous New York landmark.

If you are a senior or know somebody who is, do not leave them out of the fun just because they are older. There are plenty of senior wellness groups that can help. Some are sponsored by the government and free of charge for those who are living on a strict pension.

If you like to ride a bike but do not own one, you can use Citi Bike. This gets you all over the city by letting you rent a bike at one kiosk, and return it to any other kiosk you like, including ones in places like Manhattan or Queens. It is affordable, better than riding on dirty, crowded subway cars, and lets you see more of the city as you get to work or run errands each day.




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