If you’ve not been to New York before, you’ll soon notice that it’s a pretty health-conscious place. New Yorkers like to look and feel good. If you’re keen to follow in their footsteps, here are some tips to help you shape NYC style.
Get That Body Moving!
New York is a great place to get your body moving. You may think that a concrete jungle isn’t an ideal spot for outdoor exercise, but you’d be wrong. Take a trip to Central Park at any time of day, come rain or shine, and you’ll find a stream of joggers and bikers. Visit outdoor tennis or basketball courts, and you’re sure to find them bustling with activity. New York’s outdoor spaces offer a wealth of options when it comes to working out. There’s gym equipment ready and waiting to be used in public parks (think benches and stairs), and there are people running all the time. Tranquil spots make for an ideal base for contemplation, like yoga or meditation. All you need is a mat and half an hour’s spare time. If you’ve had a stressful day, there’s no better cure than a workout.
The Big Apple is not just about the great outdoors. If you head inside, you’ll find some weird and wonderful exercise classes on offer. You can try everything from the trapeze and ballet dancing to indoor surfing and hot yoga. Sometimes, it can take a while to find an activity you love. But you should have fun, and enjoy some experiences in the process.
Eat and Drink Like a Local
Healthy eating is a way of life for many city slickers. If you visit New York, you’ll be blown away by the number of eateries and outlets selling clean eating offerings. Think exotic smoothies and expensive juices, hearty soups, and all the varieties of salad you could ever imagine. No health-conscious New Yorker lives without a blender in their apartment. This is a versatile piece of kit that can provide you with all kinds of nutritious meals with minimal effort. If you haven’t got a blender yet, do a little research online.
…and don’t forget to treat yourself!
New York natives like to eat out, especially when it comes to breakfast time on the weekends. You’ll find an impressive array of cafes in most parts of the city. Eggs Benedict, pancake stacks, and homemade granola are popular options. If you’ve been working hard all week, you deserve a treat on a Sunday.
Are you keen to embrace a healthier way of life? If so, you can take inspiration from New Yorkers. Take advantage of green spaces, and get your body moving. Working out doesn’t just make you look great. It can also be a really powerful means of tackling stress. If you’re not keen on jogging, or you’re looking for something more exciting, research classes. You’ll find an amazing selection on offer. There’s bound to be something that sparks your interest! Focus on healthy eating and nutrition. Start your day with a vitamin-packed smoothie and grab lunch at a deli. If you’re disciplined during the week, you can enjoy yourself at the weekend.
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
