Feb. 19--Good for you, California.
You've got endless beaches and sun-drenched days. Your backyard is literally a national park with waterfalls and trees the size of small mountains.
Of course your people are going to exercise.
You know what Chicago has right now? Bitter, bone-chilling cold. The kind of cold that makes you blink back tears because true Chicagoans don't cry from a little cold. Have your residents ever tried running or swimming or biking in subzero temperatures? Didn't think so.
So the recent betterdoctor.com survey that ranked Chicago near the bottom of the "most physically active" cities in America -- and five California cities in the top 10 -- didn't seem to faze Chicagoans.
"It's not surprising. It's definitely easier to stay physically active when the weather and temperature in general is more conducive to exercising outdoors," said DePaul University's Chris Nasti.
Aurora and Denver landed the No. 1 and No. 6 spots. Sure, it's cold in Colorado, too, but between all the skiing, hiking and rock climbing, there's enough to keep people from languishing indoors. And, in terms of park acres per resident, Aurora had more than seven times as many as Chicago, according to the survey from the health care site.
Never mind.
"We're more versatile," said Chicagoan Angel Holmes, 27, as she walked along Michigan Avenue. "In this cold, we put on an extra 10 or 15 pounds. But as soon as March gets here, we'll lose it all."
The survey based its list on three things: the percentage of residents who exercised in the past 30 days, who are at a "healthy" weight and overall access to quality parks.
You know what else Chicago has? Deep dish pizza. And insanely good restaurants. And so much global cuisine that you could take your palate on a world tour without ever leaving your neighborhood. So, yeah, Chicagoans like their food. There's no shame in that.
Being No. 42 out of 50 isn't an insult. Yes, many Chicagoans complain about the eternal winter and, around this time of year, typically wish it good riddance. But they also say that cold builds character. It forces people to wait on frozen CTA platforms, to walk into -- not away from -- glacial winds, to sludge through snow and ice.
The temperature on Thursday set a record low when it fell to minus 8. Meanwhile, San Diego is forecasting a 70-degree day.
The next time Chicago has a remotely warm day, the parks will fill and runners will line the lakefront.
Until then, California, enjoy your sunshine -- and your exercise.
deldeib@tribpub.com
