5 Ways New Yorkers Stay Healthy (My first-ever girl’s trip!)

Broadway! Times Square! Greenwich Village! The World Trade Center (ish)! Best cheesecake ever! A dead rat the size of a cat!! This weekend was a whirlwind and thanks to a flight delayed by bad weather (seriously, after everything this country has been through this past year with crazy snow, wind and heat you decide to delay a flight because of a little rain?!) I didn’t get home until the wee hours of this morning. So today I’m resting and trying to unpack with a child permanently attached to each limb. Nice: They miss me when I’m gone! Not-as-nice: They’ll never let me out of sight again!

My friend Rachel and I decided to take a spontaneous trip to NYC to see our friend Beth who moved back east a year ago (and yet she still says she’s “from Minnesota” because that’s how awesome Minneapolis is!). So in lieu of a real post today – sooooo exhausted, it’s the city that never sleeps and we didn’t either – here’s a few quick (and surprising) things I learned about New Yorkers and how they stay fit and healthy (because being there for 3 days makes me an authority, see):

1. They’re super duper amazingly nice. I know! I’d heard all the stereotypes too but save for one hotel clerk who left a group of people stranded in a broken elevator while she leisurely checked in other guests, every single person we met was helpful and kind, even beyond normal courtesy. People chatted us up, gave us advice, helped us through the subway (about 500 times), gave us directions and were generally all-around awesome. We even had one elderly gentleman escort us on an hour-plus ride through the subway that involved several transfers despite the fact he was planning on getting off way before that – just to make sure we didn’t get lost in that labyrinth. A teenage kid (bizarrely carrying an air-conditioning unit in one hand and a turtle in the other) gave up his seat for us even though he ended up standing for an hour. I was blown away by how helpful and sweet everyone was. And you know what they say about the benefits of kindness: not only is it good for your heart but it’s good for your body too by lowering your stress, increasing endorphins and lowering blood pressure.

2. They walk everywhere. With so many people, walking is a survival skill, not a hobby. Even though we pitted out our shirts in 5 minutes every day, walking everywhere was worth it. Not only did we get to see tons of amazing things (see giant dead rat, above) but we got a great workout. I’m kind of envious of people who live in big cities and manage to escape the cult of the car. (Although they probably envy me when it’s dumping snow and 10 below out.)

3. Eating is an experience. It doesn’t take a fine dining restaurant to find great ambiance, amazing food and wonderful company in New York. On almost every corner we found these great hot/cold buffets that had tons of healthy and tasty food options from salads to beans to stuff I’d never seen before. Street vendors sold hot dogs and pizza, sure, but they also sold kebabs and whole fruit and vegetables. Of course there was a wide array of aMAYzing desserts too. Rachel, Beth and I decided early on that every meal had to end with dessert so we could try as many as possible. And yet even with all this food I never felt like I overate and having to get up and walk to our next destination afterwards helped digestion immensely.

4. The bikes! We rode in a rickshaw. A wee little man pulled all three of us like 20 blocks from Radio City Music Hall (we saw the Cirque du Soleil!!!!) to our hotel and chatted and laughed with us the whole time. We debated on whether or not the rickshaws were specially equipped to make pedaling one “easier” but either way his fitness was impressive. They also had places on the sidewalk where you could rent a bike, ride it wherever you want and then drop it off at your destination. (Like over the Brooklyn Bridge!)

5. I was 10 feet away from Ice T and Coco!!! We got pics! This has nothing to do with anything!

Anyhow, my kids are exploding so I will leave it here. But I had a great trip – my first-ever girls-only weekend! – and now I’m curious: Have you ever been to New York? What was your experience? What healthy habits does your city have??

PS> Thanks to a hotel that said it had wi-fi but didn’t, I am still really backed up on e-mail. I’m sorry! Please be patient.

 

20 Comments

  1. What a fun trip! Walking everywhere is something I wish I did more often. I try to walk as much as possible… But my cars still takes me most places.

  2. Sounds fantastic, Charlotte! I have been to NYC only once, and I absolutely fell in love. I also thought NYCers are really kind, but I assumed it’s only because Finns are very reserved.

    I didn’t know you can rent a bike. Next time I’m going to do that.

  3. I was in NYC for a choir trip in high school and loved the bustling activity. I, too, found that everyone was super friendly.

    Before the trip, our choir teacher told us to bring neutral, subdued color clothing and to avoid contact with strangers. She basically had us thinking we would get mugged as soon as we stepped on the street. About fifteen minutes into being in the city, we realized she was just insane and we wore our bright colors while smiling at everyone!

    Although NYC isn’t the type of place I could live, I would definitely love to go back for the shopping and amazing food experiences. The best pasta I’ve ever had (served by gorgeous Italian men) was at Hasta La Pasta in Greenwich village. The place was even in a Lifetime movie several years after I visited!

  4. Sounds like a great trip! I was in Brooklyn last November to meet my then-two-month-old niece, and my sister and I had a great time. One thing is for sure, though… when I go back, I’m making sure I take some seriously comfortable walking shoes with me. Closed-toe Birks might cut it when I’m not hiking all over creation, but when I have to walk everywhere? I want a shoe with a back to it.

  5. I went to NYU, so I got to live in NYC for 5 years (I stayed a year after graduation). One thing I’ll say about New Yorkers, they are some of the most generous people on the planet. Even if they’re being rude, if you need something or are in trouble, they will drop everything to help out.
    One time I was walking home from class and a homeless man asked if I could give him some change. When I told him I had no money, he offered me what was in his cup. (I didn’t take it, of course, but I DID start crying.)
    I haven’t been is so long, and really want to take a trip back there!
    Sounds like you had a GREAT weekend!!!!!!

  6. You rode in a rickshaw??!?!? That qualifies as the coolest thing ever. EVER. To say I’m jealous of the food options is a serious understatement.

    Where are Ice T and Coco photos?!?!

  7. We’re going to be there in just four weeks on honeymoon! *screams* I was starting to freak a bit about all the food I will definitely scoff, but remembered from last visit that the walking is INSANE and there are still healthy options to balance out the awesome goodness that MUST be sampled. Plus going with a vegan husband is going to be great… a city where we’ll finally get to eat together somewhere new every day without wanting to KILL each other!

    Hope you’re good C! Styling in that picture! Gorgeous.

    Px

  8. Reason 1 why New Yorkers may stop being fit: Momofuku milk bar. I go to school in New Jersey a stone’s throw (well, hour-long train ride) from the City, but everytime I’m in Manhattan or Brooklyn I canNOT resist the urge of Momofuku, a Japanese-style bakery with the most delicious, abominable desserts. Laughably buttery cookies? Check. Literally pure-sugar “crack pie”? Check. “Cereal milk” and its super sugary soft-serve sister version? Check and check. Be happy you missed this, especially if you’re avoiding the White Satan!!!

  9. Hahaha this post made me laugh! I love it!
    I go to school in NYC and everything you mentioned is true!
    Running in central park is one of the most positive experiences EVER. Everyone is so incredibly nice and supportive of each other, it’s super awesome! I run at LEAST once a week there.
    And the food, oh my God. You can find anything and everything your heart (or taste-buds?) could ever desire!

  10. I go to NYC a couple of times a year and was raised on Long Island. I am begging you-if you ever make another trip, please shoot me an email and I can give you a list of awesome things to see, do and eat.

    Also, if you go again, please try the Muse Hotel in Midtown. They have homemade apple cider in the afternoon and tea in the morning.

  11. You saw Ice-T??? Now that’s awesome!
    NYC was my stomping ground in high school, since I’m from Newark. Now I’m so far away in Chattanooga. I would love a girls weekend and dessert at every stop! (No I wouldn’t… yes, I would. No I wouldn’t…yes…)

  12. Love NYC, haven’t been there in years though. The other day my daughter complained about how “far away” our parking spot was from the store (3 or 4 blocks LOL) and I told her about how in big cities you walk everywhere. I would love to take her there for the museums and the food!

    Glad you had a good time!

  13. How fun for you!!!! NYC does have amazing things there & sites & architecture & more. One thing I did not like, all the smoking that I could not escape – at least when I was there on business lots of years ago. I grew up back east but only went once as a kid….

    I did really love looking at the buildings & architecture for sure!

  14. We just went to NY as a family in June -(my first time) and we loved it!!! I also noticed how everyone seemed to be fit – and I attributed it to all the walking. We walked everywhere and it was so great – it made me want to walk more at home. Didn’t you love all the places/deli’s that offered the “tossed salads”?? It was so great!!! Definitely, going back.

  15. I LOVE New York! (Though not the Yankees. I lived in Boston for 4 years and still live in “Red Sox Nation” in Rhode Island) . I’ve actually only been to New York a couple of times, and the second time it was so hot and sweltering, my clothes got drenched every day (my personal tip: in New York, where you’re walking everywhere, wear only black or white. It helps you not looks so grossly sweaty) . Anyway, the energy of the city is spectacular. My first trip there was for a Wednesday evening wedding in December. We left the wedding at about 11:30 PM and the city was still totally hopping.

    It really is such a fun place, and I’ve always thought the people there were so nice.

    PS If you ever get the chance to go to Paris, the people there are great too. I had such good experiences with everyone I came in contact with, and they even indulged my hideous attempts at very basic French. I think sometimes people in big cities get a bad rap because they’re in a hurry. In a rush doesn’t necessarily equal mean.

  16. Wait, WHAT? You were in NYC and gave no advance warning so your Big Apple fans couldn’t track you down! I would love to have met you in person and thanked you for the IE recommendation, you changed my life!

    I have lived here in Manhattan for 20 years and all you say is true. NYCers are, for the most part, very nice and friendly. If we seem rude it’s usually because we’re just in a hurry. I once chatted up a mom and daughter on the subway who were in town from Florida and I wound up getting them into the VIP audience at Good Morning America because my husband works there (betcha you wished you’d alerted the media you were coming now!) I think most NYCers are looking for ways to help visitors, we are proud of our City and we love it and want you to love it too.

    My office window looks right down onto Times Square (and up at the ball they drop on New Year’s eve). We live a 15 minute subway ride away on the Upper West Side (near the Seinfeld Diner) and we are raising our kiddo (and sweet doggie) here in this fun/crazy/expensive/fattening/remarkably fit town and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So funny to hear the impressions of folks who rarely come here that we are somehow awful and mean when, for the most part, the opposite is true!

    Glad you had fun. Next time give a girl a heads up!

  17. I too wish I knew you were in town… next time, promise we can have a blogger meetup?

    NYC definitely helps you lose weight. I moved there for my freshman year of college, and LOST 10 pounds my freshman year, mostly because of all the walking! Even now, when I am home in the city (instead of traveling for my job 4 days/week), I find it much easier to be active and lose weight just because of all the walking. When I go other places, I am shocked how little exercise I get b/c of driving everywhere.

  18. Hi Charlotte! You forgot: STAIRS its nearly impossible to avoid stairs in NYC…..and we do a tonne of walking/stair climbing in all kinds of shoes with all kinds of heels 🙂

    Glad to hear you enjoyed the Big Apple……come bach another time 😀

  19. I was pleasantly surprised at the kindness of New Yorkers as well! I was pushing E in a stroller all over and they would stand holding a door open for us even though I was half a block away! They offered to help me carry the stroller up the steps out of the subway tunnels and were very patient in restaurants when she was fussy. Glad your trip was so great!

  20. I grew up in CT and we took day trips into NYC all the time. I absolutely love NY – the people, the energy, all the great stuff to do and the corner restaurants! And you’re right about New Yorkers – a friendly, awesome bunch. Much like the French (Parisians, especially), New Yorkers get the totally wrong bad rap for being rude. Not so for either, in my experience. Having also lived in DC, I completely miss the pedestrian lifestyle. Now I have to fight to get movement in my day, what with being a slave to both my car and my computer. Anyway, happy you had such a good time – how could you not in NYC?!