Battle of the Bulge

         “We must not constantly talk about tackling obesity and warning people about the negative consequences of obesity. Instead we must be positive - positive about the fun and benefits to be had from healthy living, trying to get rid of people's excuses for being obese by tackling the issue in a positive way.”
                                          ~ Andrew Lansley

In keeping with the spirit of the quote, we are going to stay positive here (or try our best) in discussing our Nations fitness by revealing the fittest cities listings. I really do like the tactfulness of encouraging the positive and could embrace that as an area of improvement in my own life. Hmmm, there’s a New Year’s resolution. Additionally, as an ‘over 50’ (that’s as close as you’re getting to my real age) I can personally attest to the joys of health, the blessings of feeling youthful with an abundance of enthusiasm, energy and vibrancy every day.

In taking a couple of healing days off from exercise per week, as some intense resistance training is a large part of my routine, (even with the understanding that the healing benefits are necessary) I still greatly miss the endorphin high and often feel my most sluggish on ‘off’ exercise days. Even my sleep is sometimes affected. It’s truly hard to imagine what it must feel like to not participate in an exercise regimen, however simple.

Winning the Battle of the Bulge

There are healthy people everywhere, but it’s most certainly easier to feed off the energy of fitness and vitality when the community you are in is radiating as such. Otherwise, your journey to healthful living may be uphill and against the grain of your particular stagnant region, although anything uphill and against the grain should burn more calories. (Come on, we’re practicing positivity here).

Some of the commonalities among the cities exhibiting the most healthful behaviors and surrounding conditions are:

- Low pollution with a low number of high ozone days
- Warm temperatures (not a guarantee of activity, but helpful)
- Active population with a surging fitness standard and facilities
- High percentage of residents with a healthy body weight and low smoking rates
- Lots of open spaces (park land), bike trails, nature and hiking trails
- Happy residents as attitude is part of health
- Healthy eaters/non-fast food fanatics
- Strong economic climate (obesity correlates with low incomes)

Fittest Cities in America

Let’s give a hand to the fittest cities in America. It’s probably no coincidence that Portland has just under 55% of adults that perform at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or more days per week, the highest percentage of people that bike to work as well as being rated a top biking city with a noted ‘farm to fork’ palette to boot. Fresh air, fresh food and a thriving fitness culture with easy access to world class health care make Portland tops this year.

San Francisco boasts around 31% of their residents that eat veggies at least five times a day and the highest percentage of locals with a healthy body weight. Boston has the lowest percentage of fast food purchasing with 92% less than the national average spent on fast food. Albuquerque has 67.5 acres of Park land per thousand residents and Oakland boasts a 90% non smoking population. You can start to see why these cities rank perennially at the top.

And special props to Oklahoma City as three years ago, they made the ‘fattest cities’ listing. They win the ‘success story of the year’ prize and should be congratulated for a remarkable comeback!

1. Portland 

2. San Francisco 

3. Albuquerque 

4. Oakland 

5. Boston 

6. Seattle 

7. Denver 

8. San Diego 

9. Minneapolis 

10. Honolulu 

11. Tucson 
12. Austin 
13. Colorado Springs 
14. San Jose 
15. Omaha 
16. Washington 
17. Milwaukee 
18. Virginia Beach 
19. Sacramento 
20. Jacksonville 
21. New York 
22. Wichita 
23. Oklahoma City 
24. Nashville 
25. San Antonio                                    
(source: Men’s Health)

Look Better, Feel Better, Live Better

While where you live isn’t an end all, be all to your health and fitness quotient, your attitude and participation in your own life is. Seek balance in all things, but move. If you won’t get serious about your health for your own sake, then do it as an example for your children. With the New Year, make it a new you!

           “If only we correct our eating habits then not only we would have perfect body weight, but also we can get rid of most of the diseases.                           
                     - Subodh Gupta

PS: If UP Beauty’s Anti-Cellulite Cream can smooth out some rough spots while you fitness up in 2015, we’d be pleased to help!