The Blue Zones movement began as part of the Healthy Cities initiative to help transform Fort Worth into a more livable, healthy environment with a better quality of life for everyone.

Fort Worth achieved certification as a Blue Zones® community in 2018 after several years of hard work impacting our citizens’ personal habits in a way that makes measurable difference in people’s health, rates of disease and longevity. The best part is that you’re not committing to a diet or an exercise fad. You can start at any time, with whatever you have, and move forward. Here are five suggestions for leading a Blue Zones-friendly life in Fort Worth.

1. Move naturally

Sure, you can join a gym or a yoga studio (there are several listed on the Blue Zones website here). But the Blue Zones philosophy simply encourages you to incorporate a little extra movement into every day. Fort Worth has a plethora of outdoor walking, running, and biking options on the Trinity Trails. Walking around the Fort Worth Zoo or the Botanic Gardens can add miles to your day.  

 

With 40+ available stations, Fort Worth B-Cycle has 350 bikes ready to ride. The concept is like RedBox for bikes – simply pay for a bike rental at any station, and return the bike to any station. In addition to the for-profit gyms, the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth has 13 locations all around town.

 

2. Eat smarter

Eat light, fresh, and local, and stop eating when you’re 80% full. You don’t have to radically alter your plans when you eat out. But how about considering a Blue Zones-friendly meal once a week? Choosing whole-grain alternatives to bread or flour tortillas, selecting a plant-based protein entrée, sharing a bigger entrée with your dining companion, and reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages will start you on your way.

Restaurants with Blue Zones certification have made choosing a healthy dining option ridiculously easy, as the healthier choices are notated with a blue check mark. You can see the current list of restaurants here

 

3. Take a Plant Slant

Put more fiber-containing fruits and veggies on your plate. The Fort Worth Farmer’s Market, Clearfork Farmer's Market and the Cowtown Farmers Market  provide locally or regionally grown produce. The list of Blue Zones-approved supermarkets includes places you’d expect, like Central Market, Natural Grocers and Whole Foods Market. But the Fiesta Mart on 8th Avenue is also a Blue Zones approved supermarket, as are most local Albertsons stores.

 

Another benefit to shopping at a Blue Zones-friendly market: There will be check-out aisles that don’t have candy, soda, and refined food-laden snack foods so you (and your kids) won’t be tempted. Find a list of participating grocery stores here.

 

4. Rediscover Your Sense of Purpose

Blue Zones uses the slogan “Belong to live long.” People with a sense of purpose may enjoy longer, healthier lives. Maybe you want to commit to helping others? There are literally hundreds of opportunities in town. Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County and the Tarrant Area Food Bank can always use help in keeping our neighbors well and fed.

 

If helping animals is your passion, consider volunteering for The Humane Society of North Texas or the City of Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. Whether you have 20 minutes or three days a week to commit, The United Way has fairly comprehensive links to volunteer opportunities all over Tarrant County.

 

5. Wine at 5PM

If you are able to enjoy adult beverages in moderation, consider having a friend over for wine. Research studies show that moderate consumption of wine – especially red wine with its phytochemicals and antioxidant components – may increase the good (HDL) cholesterol, prevent strokes, and may reduce the chances of developing dementia.  Of course, health benefits diminish when you drink too much wine (or any alcoholic beverage).

 

Visit the Blue Zones Project Fort Worth’s Facebook page for a list of updated events throughout the year. Our best wishes to you for a happy, healthy New Year!