Opinion: 2023 Health and Fitness Issue

My predecessor, Steve Palopoli, mentioned that final year’s Wellbeing and Fitness Issue may possibly have been Good Times’ “biggest ever, in terms of reporting on both equally [health and fitness].” “Biggest ever” I cannot affirm or deny, but I can say with confidence—after sifting by way of several back again issues—that the 2022 Overall health and Health and fitness Difficulty delved further into mental well being than any preceding calendar year, and I commend Palopoli for that. But the emphasis on psychological overall health produced the difficulty stand out. Through the pandemic, it seemed like psychological wellbeing grew to become additional prevalent, or possibly persons have come to be much more open to talking about it. How to stick to that up?
With writers like Liza Monroy, who often provide content material loaded with resourceful facts coated with generous portions of passion—no make a difference the issue she covers—any apprehension I experienced about putting jointly a compelling Well being and Health and fitness Difficulty was eased. Monroy’s include tale “Not Your Parents’ University Lunch” centers on the monthly bill Gov. Newsom accredited in 2022, which allocates $100 million for increasing school foodstuff. Previous yr, when Monroy initial claimed on this, readers responded with enjoyment about California starting to be the first state to help plant-based meals in schools. As she stories, it is a sophisticated problem, and “things stalled—and adjusted.” Although anything is not transferring according to the initial approach and timeline, optimistic improvements are beginning. 
In physical fitness information, Mark C. Anderson previews Watsonville’s Ramsay Pump Park Observe, which opened in 2021. The newish thought very first debuted in 2004 in Colorado, and it is caught fireplace worldwide. Anderson reports that the 20,000 square ft of meticulously crafted loops, turns and hills can be navigated by just about anything at all with wheels, from skateboards to scooters to bicycles to wheelchairs. And it’s cost-free to all. And finally, on the health and fitness end, Hugh McCormick, whose pleasure for, properly, almost everything, presents us a glance inside dance instruction at the revamped Palomar Ballroom in downtown Santa Cruz. His elation encompassing these dance classes is apparent in his prose. McCormick notes that the classes have been filling up a lot quicker than ever, and it is a great way to stay suit and have fun—he is familiar with firsthand his mother is a student.  
I hope you get as a lot out of reading these tales as I have and discover some concepts for how to stick to your New Year’s resolution if it involves exercising much more. 
You have a week to get your votes in for Greatest of Santa Cruz County. This is your opportunity to present appreciation for every thing that tends to make you really like Santa Cruz County. Pay a visit to goodtimes.sc by way of Jan. 31. 

ADAM JOSEPH | INTERIM EDITOR