Brooklyn Borough President

CONEY ISLAND FINALE FOR LIGHTEN UP BROOKLYN!

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: left to right - Borough President Markowitz, his Lighten Up Brooklyn trainer, Darren Taylor, and Brad Korn from Continuum Health Partners flex their muscles at Coney Island.

Brooklyn joins BP in working out on the Beach & the Boardwalk!

On June 29th, Brooklynites joined Borough President Marty Markowitz in beautiful Coney Island to work out at the beach in the Lighten Up Brooklyn 2003 – Fitness Forever Finale. The Everyman of Exercise had lots of company as he continued trying a number of different kinds of workouts on the last day of this month-long program.

There was something for everyone in Coney Island from a Beach Boot Camp to Zumba, Bally Total Fitness’ hottest group exercise class combining fitness and aerobics with Latin-influenced music and dance. Debbie Rocker, creator of Walkvest, demonstrated the most effective way to Powerwalk. There even were workouts tailored for kids and seniors.

Angelica from Nickelodeon’s Rugrats was on hand to entertain the children. There also were jump rope demonstrations throughout the afternoon by the world famous Gleason’s Gym.

“I’m certainly no gym rat, but this has been a fantastic month of exercising for me and Brooklynites across the borough,” Borough President Markowitz said. “Even though Lighten Up Brooklyn is coming to close, we can’t stop all of our momentum. Hopefully, the many Brooklynites who’ve joined me have found the kind of exercise that works best for them and their lifestyles. Keeping the weight off will always be a struggle, but we all know that the key is fitness forever!”

Borough President Markowitz was also challenged to an interesting wager. If he tried more of the Lighten Up Brooklyn 2003 official activities and put in more certified exercise time in June than Brad Korn, Corporate Director of Community Affairs for Continuum Health Partners, Inc., Camp Brooklyn would receive a $10,000 donation from Continuum so more deserving Brooklyn kids can enjoy two weeks at a sleep-away camp. Even though Borough President Markowitz and Mr. Korn dueled to a draw, the real winner was Camp Brooklyn, who’ll receive the $10,000 donation anyway!

Throughout June, Brooklynites have joined Borough President Markowitz in trying all kinds of fitness activities and exercises in 20 beautiful Brooklyn parks on weekends led by instructors and personal trainers from 25 Brooklyn gyms. The goal this year is to find the exercise activity that best suits your needs and, just like brushing your teeth, make it part of your everyday life.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control reported that nearly 21% of American adults are obese. More than 44 million Americans are considered obese, a 74% increase since 1991. Obesity often leads to diabetes, which is growing at an alarming rate in New York City. According to the NYC Department of Public Health, diabetes has doubled to nearly 8% of New York City adults in the last eight years. Exercising just 30 minutes a day can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 60%.

Everyone who showed their Lighten Up Brooklyn 2003 card at a Modell’s store got 10% off on purchases during the month of June. Take your card into any Bally Total Fitness Club in Brooklyn and get a free one month membership. As an extra incentive – everyone who establishes a regular PATTERN OF PARTICIPATION, by attending at least 10 exercise activities throughout the month, can enter into a raffle to win some incredible prizes! As soon as you have completed 10 activities, you may drop it off or mail to us by Noon on June 30th to:

Brooklyn Borough Hall - Attn: Lighten Up Brooklyn 2003
209 Joralemon Street – Suite 330
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Lighten Up Brooklyn 2003 is sponsored by Modell’s Sporting Goods, Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge, Affinity Health Plan, GHI, HealthPlus and JetBlue Airways.

A special thanks to Long Island College Hospital – Continuum Health Partners, Inc. and NYC Department of Parks & Recreation - Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel.