18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Did you make a New Year’s resolution to hit the gym, train for a race or lose weight? Good for you, but here’s the thing. As you will read in the pages of the Weekly’s Health & Fitness issue, most of the time, people drop their resolutions. So much of what makes us actually healthy is simply togetherness. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, “Research shows that connection can lead to better health and well-being, protecting us against serious issues like heart disease, stroke, dementia and depression.” In many ways, togetherness is an accidental theme that runs throughout this issue. From a collective physical therapy experience to a shark bite survivor finding motivation in social exercise groups, from competitive dance training to a new walking group, this issue features stories about people who are finding companionship and are also finding health. Here’s to a year (and beyond) of community and wellness. —Sara Rubin, editor Health & Fitness Run around the world p. 6 Walk around Pacific Grove p. 13 A story of resilience p. 19 Nutrition label do’s and don’ts p. 22 Dance because it’s good for you p. 24 In motion with a physical therapist p. 36 Fat’s where it’s at p. 38 Group exercise is one way people find accountability, socialization and fun in staying fit. Clockwise from top: Steve Bruemmer swims laps during a class at Monterey Peninsula College; Natasha Zakrevskaia coaches a student at N-Space Dance Studio; the Walk Every Street group in Pacific Grove meets on Wednesdays at 4pm. DANIEL DRIEFUSS DANIEL DRIEFUSS DANIEL DRIEFUSS
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