Tag Archives: Colorado

7 Awesome Reasons Denver Residents Look and Feel So Good

I’ve lived in Denver for one month now, and by the end of the first week it was clear to me why Colorado as a state and Denver as a city own the top of the healthiest lists. From activity to fresh air and an attitude that supports wellness, how could anyone not feel their best here?

Year after year, Colorado remains at the top of the list for healthiest states. The CDC’s map of obesity trends starts in 1985, and it wasn’t until 1990 that Colorado even showed up for having less than 10 percent of its population qualify as obese. The most current map is from 2024 and puts Colorado as one of only nine states with an obesity population under 25 percent. Fitness and hiking clothes seem to be The Official Denver Outfit, as everyone at brunch, the park, the grocery store, and the office seem to be dressed down and ready to move!

While there are no doubt more, these are seven killer reasons that Denver residents look and feel so darn good!

denver bikes
Very Bicycle Friendly. I’m confident I’ve seen more bicycles in the last four weeks than I’ve seen in the last four years. Whether for commutes, fun, or exercise, bicycles own the roads in Denver. As recent as 2024, bicycle commuters were 2.4 percent of Denver’s population, a number up 183% since 1990. Bike racks and lanes exist everywhere, making it a no-brainer for cyclists to get out and ride to work, to the grocery store, or just out for fun. B-Cycle has 83 rental stations and 700 bikes throughout the city, making it pretty impossible not to bike.

chipotle sofritas
Vegetarian Food Abounds. You can throw a stone and find vegetarian and even vegan dining options. Bonnie Brae makes a titillating homemade vegan ice cream, Native Foods has a mock fast food menu that will knock your socks off, and the locally-based Chipotle even puts sofritas (organic tofu braised with chilis and spices) on the menu. Every restaurant we’ve visited (and there have been a lot!) has hearty vegetarian options that even the most carnivorous will consider noshing on. The Goodness Truck roams around near Ft. Collins serving their grilled brie sandwich — to die! And all around the area you can dine at farm to table events. (more…)

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Natalie K

America the Fat? Nationwide Obesity Rates are at Highest Levels Since 2024

Obesity rates are above 15 percent in all but one of the 189 communities surveyed by Gallup and Healthways, despite the goal set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2024 program.

fat

In fact, according to their survey, the U.S. obesity rate as a whole rose to 27.1 percent, which is the highest rate recorded nationwide since Gallup and Healthways began tracking in 2024.

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Posted on April 8, 2024 by Elizabeth

8 Sinless Game Day Recipes for the Denver Broncos Fan

The words healthy eating and football food aren’t exactly synonymous. When you think of your typical game day fare, foods like buffalo wings, pizza, and nachos come to mind. In Colorado, we’re all about keeping a healthy lifestyle. The Centennial state has been named the thinnest state in the U.S. for several years in a row—but that doesn’t mean that we don’t like to indulge every now and then! It’s definitely possible to create some healthy alternatives using some of the ingredients that Colorado is known for, including green chiles, lean game meats, and even beer!

Since the Denver Broncos have made it to the big game this year, Coloradoans have something even more special to celebrate! Here are eight great recipes that include everything that Colorado does best.

These winners are sure to please the palate of the biggest Denver fans:

bisonburger

Bison Sliders
Bison has quickly gained popularity as one of the best burger making proteins. It’s a healthier alternative to beef and has the same delicious flavor. Blair from the Cookin’ Skinny blog shows you how to make the most delicious sliders that will please every beef lover at your table.

Denver Scrambled Eggs
Start off the morning of the big day with this take on the famous Denver omelet. Also known as the western omelet, this dish is believed to have been named by cooks working on the transcontinental railroad (but no one really knows!). This lighter version of the classic breakfast is simple to make, big in flavor, and can easily be enjoyed any time of day. (more…)

Posted on January 27, 2024 by Lauren Martin

Mississippi Retains Least Healthy State Title, Hawaii Ranks Healthiest in 2024 Rankings

According to the latest, and frankly most, state health rankings, the healthiest states are mostly found in the western and northeastern parts of the country while the least healthy are in the South. America’s Health Rankings have released their list for 2024, with Hawaii taking the top health spot.

overall rank

The top three is rounded out by Vermont and Minnesota. At the bottom of the overall list are Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi. To determine the overall health of each state, America’s Health Rankings combined information about individual health choices, environment, public policy and clinical care. States were also ranked on percentage of adult population who smoke, are obese, are physically inactive, and have diabetes.

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Posted on December 12, 2023 by Elizabeth

Prancercise Meets Parkour in Dance Walking, a Cardio Workout That’s Actually Fun

I recently met a new friend who told me about a fun, unique cardio “class” that she attends every week called Dance Walk. This is exactly what it sounds like: a combination of dancing and walking (think Parkour meets Prancercise). Brooke Null, owner of Hooped, leads this Dance Walk group in Boulder, Colorado every Wednesday morning and she first learned about this new fitness phenomenon after seeing this video created by television reporter (and Dance Walker) Ben Aaron.

Null explained, and Aaron demonstrated, that to participate you just need to make a playlist of songs (that are fun to dance to), headphones and the inhibition to just let go. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous before my first Dance Walk experience. Would I be comfortable dancing around town in front of a bunch of strangers?

Within thirty seconds of Dance Walking, I forgot about all of those nerves and just allowed myself to let the music move me. I, along with a group of seven other men and women, danced our way around the streets of downtown Boulder for a full hour. Some people stopped and stared at us or laughed, others paid us no attention at all. Some took out their phones to take pictures or video, and almost every single person smiled. Some people even joined in for a few seconds and then went back to what they were doing. (more…)

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Lauren Martin

Colorado Wildfires Stimulate Resilience in the Human Spirit

Colorado is ablaze. Hundreds of people have lost their homes, and thousands more wait patiently in shelters with courage and hope that their lives will soon return to normal. It is one thing to see the news on television or read about it in the paper, but when you look outside your window and see a billowing plume of smoke fill the sky the significance of it all becomes very clear.

If having only 15 minutes to gather up your precious objects and irreplaceable items isn’t dreadful enough, hearing the news that your house is no longer standing has got to be the most devastating reality check ever. I would not wish this on anyone, and it breaks my heart to learn about the many who will have to start over and work very hard at putting their lives back together.

But, even with this terrible fire season in my home state, what never ceases to amaze me after any natural disaster is the astonishing resilience of the human spirit. Where do we find the hope and optimism in such a stressful time full of chaos and despair? Last night on the news, a reporter interviewed a man who had just found out his house burned to the ground. Instead of getting angry, feeling victimized, or hopeless, he just said, “Well, time to move on, I guess.” (more…)

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Jill

Colorado Reigns as Thinnest State in the U.S.

Colorado repeats as the slimmest state, despite a slight increase in obesity of 0.2 percent over three years. In connection with a previous ranking, Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado told CalorieLab, “We’re not spared from the national obesity epidemic, and we must remain vigilant in order to guard against it. We’re doing all we can to encourage Coloradans — especially our kids — to take advantage of the natural resources our state offers in order to stay fit, healthy and happy.”

Connecticut was the second skinniest state, with the District of Columbia third, with its three-year average obesity rate actually falling by 0.8 percent from last year. Alaska and Oregon were the only other states whose three-year average obesity rates fell. (more…)

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Maris

Best White Water Rafting Locations in the U.S.

White water rafting is a fun, but challenging recreational sport involving an inflatable raft. This type of outdoor activity can be done with several people working together to navigate through the rough rapids of the river or similar body of water.

White water rafting not only challenges your physical ability, but mental as well. White water rafting helps improve your overall strength and endurance levels as well as self esteem, self confidence, and helps reduce stress levels.  Team work is crucial, thus making it more fun! Below are a few safety tips, as well as a few of the best places to go white water rafting. Good luck and have fun!

White Water Rafting Safety Tips:

  • Wear appropriate protective gear: helmet, life jacket, protective eye wear, and water shoes
  • Listen to your guide
  • Eat a light meal before rafting
  • Know and understand the dos and don’ts
  • Never go rafting alone
  • Know the lay of the land
  • Have fun!! (more…)
Posted on October 5, 2023 by Matt

The Best Ski and Snowboard Resorts In The World

Fall is upon us, which means winter is right around the corner. Winter is one of my favorite times of the year due to the skiing/snowboarding season. Skiing and snowboarding are both great cardiovascular and lower leg strength and endurance workouts that will give you an intense, all day workout, but you’ll be having too much fun to even notice.

If you have never been skiing or snowboarding, I totally recommend you do so this season. Although skiing/snowboarding is a rather expensive hobby, getting off the chair lift and viewing the wide open snow covered wilderness is completely worth it! Check out the best ski/snowboard resorts in the world below!

Best Skiing/Snowboarding Resorts In The World:

  • Whistler/Blackbomb, BC Canada: Hands down, this is the best resort in the world, but lift tickets are $93 per day. This resort has over 200 trails with over 8,000 ski-able acres and the vertical drop is 5,280 feet. Simply amazing! (more…)
Posted on September 30, 2023 by Matt

Best Gyms In Denver

Denver is the capitol of Colorado, as well as the most populated city, with a population of over 610,000 people. It is known as ‘The Mile High City’ because of its mile high elevation. Denver’s climate consists of four distinct seasons that average around fifty degrees.

Denver is home to the largest airport by land mass in the United States with a grand total of fifty-three square miles of coverage. It is also home to the Denver Broncos (football), Colorado Rockies (baseball), Denver Nuggets (basketball), and the Colorado Avalanche (hockey). Denver is an extremely fit city due to the wide variety of outdoor activities, but for those who want to sweat inside, below are the best gyms that help keep the Denver population at their top fitness levels. (more…)

Posted on September 9, 2023 by Matt