Healthy Habitation

Cooking Light recently ranked the Top 20 American cities that best fit the magazine’s philosophy to eat smart, be fit, and live well.

My city, Atlanta, is on the list. Is yours?

Seattle, Washington
An abundance of fresh local foods, walker-friendly streets, and inclusive attitudes helps make Seattle America's best city for healthy living.

Portland, Oregon
Life is good in our second-ranked city, thanks to its seemingly endless supply of outdoor activities, cutting-edge restaurants, and vibrant environmental consciousness.

Washington, D.C.
Our capital city sets an accommodating agenda with farm-fresh dining, diverse cultures, and ample opportunity for exploration on foot.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
In our fourth-ranked best city, lush parks and shimmering lakes provide a natural backdrop to a rich cultural landscape.

San Francisco, California
Our fifth-ranked city steps up with one of the world's most unforgettable settings--along with great cuisine and an energetic spirit.

Boston, Massachusetts
Strolling historic parks and swanning around the water are but two of the pastimes that make summer prime time to enjoy our sixth-ranked city.

Denver, Colorado
The Mile-High City ranked seventh on our list for an outdoorsy Western lifestyle that makes living well accessible and irresistible.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Our eighth-ranked city proves a worthy destination for food lovers, adventure seekers, and culture aficionados alike.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In America's fifth-largest city, the historic past provides a backdrop for a present that's healthful and happening.

Tucson, Arizona
Tucson offers a taste of the authentic Southwest in a desert setting that's ideal for a warm winter getaway.

Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore, it turns out, has lots of people who eat five or more servings of fruits and veggies a day--27 percent.

Colorado Springs, Colorado
Graced with bountiful trail systems, no wonder 91 percent of the city's population claims to be in good health.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Skies, once dark with factory smoke, open above crystal-towered downtown Pittsburgh, bound on three sides by the rivers Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio.

St. Louis, Missouri
A love for local produce and healthful activities keeps this urban center well fed and on the move.

New York, New York
New Yorkers walk far more than most Americans, and they do it quickly. But they slow down for green markets--25 in Manhattan alone.

Atlanta, Georgia
Approximately 55,000 people gather on the Fourth of July at the Peachtree Road Race, the largest 10k in the world.

Austin, Texas
You can't swing a yoga mat in Austin without hitting a cool place to exercise--whether it's inside a gym or outdoors in a natural, spring-fed pool.

Chicago, Illinois
The city's environmentally-friendly mentality is one of the reasons why it is home to the 2007 Cooking Light FitHouse.

Las Vegas, Nevada
In our list, the city ranks third in restaurants rated "extraordinary to perfection" and third in nominations for James Beard awards.

Kansas City, Missouri
A recent study revealed Kansas City has the purest water of any major city in the country.

My Skinny Jeans Taunt Me

Whew, where have I been lately?! It seems like this month is really flying by. January whizzed by and I just looked at my desk calendar only to realize it’s almost mid-February!! How are you guys doing on your New Year’s resolutions? Did you even make a New Year’s resolution?

My basic theme in 2008 is getting healthy, well healthier that is. I’m trying to hit the gym at least three times a week, consume a (heart) healthy diet and try to avoid adapting any lifestyle habits that might be detrimental in the long run.

Much to my surprise, and chagrin, I have lost ANY weight yet. Actually, I’ve gained weight. Can you believe it? I can’t understand and I must admit, it certainly doesn’t help to motivate me. I just have to keep telling myself muscle weighs more than fat and these new healthy habits will pay off in the long run. I’m not even going to act like I need to lose weight. I’m a petite girl and weight has never been a problem but man would it be nice to fit into that skinny pair of jeans that keeps taunting me from my closet.

Have any of you run into a similar problem? You know, when you think you’re doing everything right only to come to find out it hasn’t done a bit of good?

What's Your Exercise Strategy?

Phew! I am exhausted today. As part of my daily routine, I have been forcing myself to get up and hit the gym before work. Many people think I’m crazy to wake up at 4:45 in the morning and go run on the treadmill. However, I learned long ago that after work there is no way I would ever make it to the gym. I’m exhausted and the last thing I want to do is go exercise. As the clock hits five, I can practically hear my couch calling my name.

Each person must assess their own habits and find a fitness routine that works best for them. Some people are like me and prefer to get it out of the way in the morning. I find that by starting my day with exercise, I’m more likely to continue my healthy habits throughout the day. It helps me make better eating choices and I have more energy to keep me going all day long.

Others feel that a good workout after a long strenuous day is just what the doctor ordered. Breaking a sweat and relieving tension after a workday helps many people leave the stress of the office behind and sleep better at night.

And yet others have different routines such as working out during their lunch break or breaking the exercise into small increments throughout the day. Some people can't stand the thought of the gym and take their exercise outdoors.

Whatever method you prefer, be sure you’re getting some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes five times a week.

Happy Monday everyone!

BHF Launches Heart Health Campaign to Encourage People to Get Moving

So this really surprised me – a recent poll conducted by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) found that only 38 percent of people living in the United Kingdom would exercise more after being told their lives depended on it. 38 percent??? That is mind-boggling to me.

If someone told me I was gonna die if I didn’t get off my butt and start moving I would be up faster than you could blink.

In response to this disturbing statistic, BHF has launched a television advertising campaign to encourage UK adults to exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week. Many health experts believe exercising for just 30 minutes a day can reduce a person’s risk for heart disease by 50 percent.

“For many people, exercise has become an ugly word, something to avoid at all costs – but you’d be amazed how easy it is to up the tempo of your heartbeat,” said Dr. Mike Knapton, director of prevention and care at the BHF.

The BHF poll also found that a motivating factor for women to exercise is their figure (17 percent) compared with just 7 percent of men.