Use Local Resources For Living Healthy In Brooklyn

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.

There are also groups that you can find online that are great for meeting like minded people in the area. For example, if you are thinking of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, there are groups of people who are in the same boat or have already taken the vegan plunge. You meet up on a regular basis and exchange tips and tricks to make the transition easier. These groups are also for carnivores, foodies, runners, and many more.

You can visit your local market and find healthy, prepared foods in the refrigerated case, but they can be very costly. If you want to eat better but cannot afford to bust your budget with prepared foods, try a local healthy cooking class instead to save money.

Exercise is also a part of being fit, and Brooklyn offers a veritable treasure trove of ways to accomplish this. This includes a ton of gyms of varying sizes and disciplines, such as boxing gyms, yoga gyms, or general ones. There are even specialty ones that have swimming pools, spas, juice bars or rock climbing, just to name a few.

If you prefer to get your exercise outdoors when you can, then there are many parks all over the borough that let you explore some of the more historical parts of the city while getting fit. Brooklyn Bridge park is great for sightseeing and walking, and you can even walk across the entire length of the bridge and back. Prospect Park has biking trails, and Brighton Beach Park is great for a waterfront view while you jog or walk.

If you are elderly or having grandparents who are aging and need help staying healthy, then consider joining a local senior group. There are government sponsored senior living programs to help older folks get some exercise so they can feel young again and feel good.

Of course, one of the best ways to stay healthy in Brooklyn is to ditch your car or subway pass and bike it across town. Citi Bike has bikes that you can rent and return to any station, anywhere in New York City, including Queens, Manhattan and more. You can purchase single day or multiday passes in advance, and all you need is a helmet to travel and get some fresh air.




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