Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A Healthy September: Tips on Staying Healthy and Getting in Shape


There's no better time to 'get healthy' than today! So many of us tack on 'getting healthy' to our summer plans, and then we spend all of summer complaining it's too hot. Well, as August comes to an end (rather quickly, just a few days remain), and the humidity has seemingly left the area, why not make September your 'get healthy' month?

Start with a goal!
Your goal doesn't have to be something extravagant like, I want to be able to run a marathon by the end of the month. Although setting our sights high is sometimes motivating, it can also be quite the daunting task. Start small. I'm going to take a hike every Saturday! The sights are quite fantastic from atop a mountain! Or, how about I'm going to ride my bike at least once a day! Put it on your to do list, and make sure you check it off! (Even if nothing else on the list gets a check!! wink wink)

Have Fun!
When we give ourselves something to work towards, we feel like we have something to accomplish. Sometimes we let our minds view exercise as a chore, which causes us to run the other way! But if we pick activities that we enjoy, you might even find that you start looking forward it!! Leave the car behind. Not everyone lives in a bike/walk friendly area. But, if you do, try leaving the car home for your errands! You'll even save money! Take a look at some helpful navigation tools to map your route before you go.

Eat Healthy!
It's funny that when we think of 'eating healthy' we immediately associate this with bland, boring food. Exploring new and healthy recipes can actually be rather rewarding to your taste buds! Find the inner chef in you this September. Remember, your local farmer's markets are probably open through November! If you live nearby, leave the car home. Take your bike, or walk.

And if nothing else, remember portions! Instead of taking the entire bag of chips with you to the couch, fill a small bowl. Of course you can always get up for seconds, but you'll question whether or not you REALLY want to!

Maybe you've got a great secret that could help others! Share your 'get healthy' tips with us!


Westchester Farmer's Market

Bronxville
Saturdays 8:30 - 1:00pm through 11/17
Stone Pl at Paxton Ave

Croton-on-Hudson
Wednesdays 1:30 - 6:30pm 5/30 - 11/21
Lot on Municipal Place - off Rt 9 exit

Dobbs Ferry
Fridays 10:00 - 4:00pm through Thanksgiving
Corner of Cedar and Main St

Larchmont
Saturdays 8:30 - 1:00pm 5/26 - 12/15
Parking lot off Chatsworth Ave

Mahopac
Sundays 9:00 - 3:00pm
Temple Beth Shalom

Mahopac
Wednesdays 1:00 - 6:00pm
Saturdays 9:00 - 3:00pm
1085 Rt 6

New Rochelle
Fridays 8:00 - 3:00pm 5/22 - 11/16
Library Green - Huguenot & Lawton Streets

Ossining
Saturdays 8:30 - 1:00pm 5/26 - 12/15
Parking Lot corner of Spring & Main Streets

Peekskill
Saturdays 8:30 - 2:00pm through November
Bank St/Downtown Peekskill between Main St and Park St

Pleasantville
Saturdays 8:30 - 1:00pm 5/26 - 12/15
Memorial Plaza off Manville Rd

Rye
Sundays 8:30 - 2:00pm 5/27 - 12/16
Parking lot behind Purchase St stores

Tarrytown
Saturdays 8:30 - 1:00pm 5/26 - 11/17
Patriot's Park on N. Broadway (rt. 9)

White Plains
Wednesdays 8:00 - 4:00pm through 11/21
Court St between Martine Ave & Main St


Thursday, August 23, 2012

What Does A Cyclist Really Look Like?

Yesterday I met a nice young cyclist from NYC (we'll call him BikerNY). It was a beautiful day here in the Hudson Valley, and he was out taking advantage of the nice end of August weather! I asked what made him ride up to Nyack. He said he mentioned to his city friends that he wanted to cross the George Washington Bridge, and they all suggested taking the ride up to Nyack, NY. So, he did. I met him outside The Nyack Village Theatre on Main St, where he stood with his running sneakers, button up, and gym shorts. The only thing that gave away he was traveling by bike was the helmet I saw dangling off his backpack.

Conversation continued and there was mention of a certain local coffee shop, where all the bikers gather. BikerNY chuckled while saying his friends told him he HAD to stop in there once he got to Nyack, and so he took their advice. He however said he wasn't wearing enough spandex to enter and continued on his way. I of course had to laugh at this comment, as it brings up a common question, "What does a cyclist look like?"

I'll answer a question with another question. Do you ride a bike? What do you look like?

BikerNY didn't have on any fancy bells and whistles of a 'cycling' outfit, and he rode his bike all the way from the West Village to Nyack NY. So, don't worry if you don't have some fancy bike, with clip on pedals, and a super cool spandex racing suit. The important part is that you are out there riding, and enjoying your ride!

Send us your photos, and show us What A Cyclist Looks Like to you!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Wanna Go Ride Bikes?

Remember when you were a kid, and you'd call up your friends to "go ride bikes"? Remember when you were an adult, and you did the same thing?!?!

What's the hardest part of exercising? For me it's the 'getting started' part! I, like many of us, sit for 8 hours a day at a desk job. And then, like many of us, I get home only to sit some more thinking, "It's too hot out for exercise...", or "I'm too tired...". Of course I'm exaggerating (or at least I like to tell myself that...).

Just yesterday, I was cleaning out the closet (which can be considered exercise to me!), and at the very bottom of the boxes and clutter, I found my old basketball. I knew what my next move was. Drop the boxes, grab the ball and head to the courts!!

It was that simple. An hour later I returned home feeling GREAT! That's when it hit me, exercise doesn't just mean running, walking, cycling, or going to the gym. It could also mean shooting some hoops, throwing a frisbee, throwing a baseball, dancing...etc. The key here is, you can get your exercise and enjoy it to. If running isn't your thing, then don't run! We tend to consider exercising, work. It doesn't have to be.

Now if you've read this far, you're thinking, yes, tell me something I don't know. And, honestly that's what I was thinking too. But, the truth is, we shouldn't look at exercise as a chore. We should focus in on activities that we enjoy. If you don't know what you enjoy, now is the perfect time to find out! It's summer, there are lots of groups you can join. Find a local hiking group, kayaking group, cycling group. Call up some friends and see who wants to throw a frisbee around. As we get older, we don't think to call up our friends and ask if they want to "come out and play" as we used to. But the question is, why not?