Living the healthy life in Curtis Park

Executive Director's Report
By Julie Gerth

A little over a year ago I turned forty. This is not an event I was particularly enthusiastic about. I resigned myself to leaving my youth behind and entering middle age with one exception. Over the advancing years an extra pound or two (or 30 in my case) had decided to take up permanent residence.

It is not like I didn't know how it had happened. Age, coupled with lack of movement and eating habits that left much to be desired, were my culprits. What was different from my earlier years, however, was that my focus now turned from pure vanity about my weight to concern for my physical health. With soaring blood pressure it was time to take action.

Once I made the decision to do something to improve my health and shed some weight, I had to look no further than our neighborhood. We are fortunate to have many local exercise options and since convenience is key to taking action, this reduces the number of excuses for doing nothing.

On the exercise front we have many choices. A year ago Figure 8 Women's Workout (sorry guys) opened on the corner of 24th Street and Second Avenue. It offers a comfortable, pleasant environment to work off some of those pounds and stress. It is owned by a Curtis Park resident and well worth checking out for a no-excuse location to get moving.

Curtis Park is also fortunate to have the beautiful track around Curtis Park.The mile-long track of decomposed granite is ideal for a brisk walk or run. For those who enjoy a less structured route, a walk or run through our neighborhood is delightful.

You can also get yourself moving in several different ways at Sierra 2. There are numerous styles of yoga classes, or you can take belly dancing, hula or kung fu for a good workout.

But exercise is only one part of the fix. Eating habits have to be changed as well. Again, we are in luck here also. Fortunate for us, Sierra 2 now offers Weight Watchers meetings several times a week, including weekend and weekday meetings. I've been attending for just over four months and can vouch for their weight loss program.

So 25 pounds thinner and normal blood pressure to boot, I am proud to report I feel great. It is good to know we only need to look as far as our own neighborhood to be healthy in Curtis Park.

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