The social benefits of exercise

A few years ago, my friends teased me when they caught me relaxing on the couch, eating ice cream and watching an exercise video. (Seriously, I was checking it out for future use!) I was reminded of that moment when I saw these three friends socializing on the leg press machine in the Kiwanis Fitnes Area at Furman Park.

Next year

The holidays! The parties are numerous and the treats are everywhere, and it's hard to get motivated to work off those extra pounds. The days are shorter, so it's harder to find the time to exercise, as illustrated by the empty workout area and walking paths here at Furman Park.

Well, I guess that's what New Year's resolutions are for...

Choose your exercise

Even while the Marine band is playing at the other end of the park, people are taking advantage of the many forms of exercise available. There is the strength-building exercise equipment that uses your own body weight, the tennis courts, and the path around the park for joggers and dog-walkers (the dog is out of sight).

Humans of Downey - Leroy

"My happiest memories growing up were when I was playing baseball. I loved to play baseball. Back then we lived in Shreveport, Louisiana. I played shortstop mostly, although I could play any position. I was not a power hitter but went for base hits instead. I played until I was around 22, and then I tapered off. Later, I had a friend that coached Pony League and I helped him out.

"Now my exercise is walking. I walk a couple of miles 6 days a week. I start on Columbia Way, go down to Imperial Hwy. I go east to Caring Way where I turn left. Then I complete the circle, going around the baseball fields."
~ Leroy

A good workout

I normally see people working out on the new exercise equipment at Furman as I am out walking my dog. This past week, I noticed a couple of guys just hanging out on the equipment, chatting. I like that the park is a social gathering place. Maybe having a conversation here is almost as good as the exercise itself.

"My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit." 
 ~ Phyllis Diller

Kiwanis give back again

This past Saturday was the grand opening of the new stationary exercise equipment donated by the Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis club to the citizens of Downey. Downey city councilman Alex Saab, a Kiwanis member and third from the right in front, was present to make the announcement to those gathered for the occasion.

These are some of the nine pieces of equipment donated by the Kiwanis and available to the public at Furman Park. The design of the equipment is that it uses your own weight for the resistance. You lift yourself at each station.

But notice that there is another set of handles on the other side of where the lady is sitting. This side is designed to accommodate a person in a wheelchair. The person then lifts a solid weight rather than himself.

The Kiwanis club is an international service organization that focuses on serving the needs of children. You can visit their website here.

Focus on fitness

One thing I appreciate about the City of Downey is its focus on fitness. From the walks with the mayor started a few years ago by past mayor Mario Guerra, to the plans for bike path improvements throughout Downey, the focus is on getting people out of the house and into the open.

The latest focus on fitness is at Furman Park. The new and improved walking path was completed in November. The final stage of the park improvements is this outdoor stationary fitness equipment.

All the more reason to take a walk at Furman Park.

Good intentions

Have you started an exercise program lately? The Downey YMCA has a really great program called FitLinxx that tracks your workouts and makes it easy to see your progress.

I know this because I joined the Y (again) a couple of months ago. And I had a couple weeks' worth of good workout sessions.

Then I went on vacation. And I came down with a cold. And then my daughter (my exercise partner) came down with a cold.

It's really hard to get back to a routine after a few weeks' off.

How is your program going?

America's Favorite Park!

Since it is summer and the weather is great, we visit Furman Park quite often. I'm always pleased to see how much activity there is going on. You can find people all over, reading, talking, walking, running, exercising. It is a well-used park.



For the month of July, Coca Cola is sponsoring "Take it to the Park," offering up to $100,000 to the top winner. Think of what extra money could mean for our park:  a new walking path all the way around the park, maybe some new exercise equipment. All you have to do is go on to the website and vote for your favorite park (Furman, of course). You can vote every day and there are even ways to earn extra votes.



"We forget that life consists of small everyday experiences and it is what happiness is made of. A walk in the park, a smile from your baby, a beautiful sunrise, an unexpected compliment from a stranger...those are the moments that count most."
~ Sumesh Nair

Time for fitness

I love that Downey has so many parks. In a 12.5-square-mile city, did you know we have 11 parks? In fact, almost 100 acres are dedicated to parks. This is Rio San Gabriel Park and I often see people working out, running, or playing games. Today was a first to see this fitness class. What a great location to work out! Who needs a gym?

Walking with the mayor

I needed a picture idea for tonight for our blog and couldn't think of anything. So I put out a message on one of the Downey pages of Facebook and immediately got responses from events all over Downey! The first one was "walking with the mayor," a new program Mayor Guerra is promoting for "Healthy Downey." Pam and I met the group at the Downey High football field/track and set off on our laps.

It was a lot of fun getting out with part of the community that I don't see very often for something we could all use a little more of. This is me (far right, front group) chatting with the mayor about school safety. It was great having this kind of low key event to just talk to people and find out what's going on with our city. Come out and join us next week!