Philadelphia's Come a Long Way from America's Fattest City. This Year Philadelphia it Fit.

It wasn't that long ago that in the January 2000 issue of Men's Fitness Magazine, Philadelphia was named the fattest city in America. Men's Fitness' Keith Griffiths wrote, "Home to the Liberty Bell and the eponymous cheesesteak sandwich, (the city) scores high in history but low in healthy habits."

Things have changed and for the better. This year Philadelphia is fit. In fact, it's one of the healthiest cities in the country, according to the April edition of Cooking Light. The nation's largest food magazine chose Philadelphia as the ninth healthiest U.S. city because it ranked highly in the following categories:

• Number of highly rated restaurants
• Farmers' markets
• City residents consuming five or more fruits and vegetables per day
• The good health of locals
• Its prime walkability

With Philadelphia featured in Cooking Light, the city is on its way to shedding its previous reputation as home to unhealthy urbanites and has emerged as a city of fitness-conscious runners, bikers, bladers and rowers. According to the magazine, "Philadelphia's historic past provides a backdrop for a present that's healthful and happening."

Cooking Light highlights the healthiest spots of the Philadelphia region, choosing:

• Reading Terminal Market as best farmers' market
• White Dog Café as best socially conscious restaurant
• Longwood Gardens as the best place to seek serenity

Of course, the city's outdoor assets, including Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River, were also mentioned as best outdoor excursions. Many of the activities and vendors featured in the piece are also included in Boundless Philadelphia, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation's initiative to promote the region's outdoor opportunities for both local residents and visitors from outside the region alike. Boundless Philadelphia will be starting its second year this summer.

It's good to see how the region's image can change so drastically in such a short time. Hopefully the weather will improve quickly so that we all can get out and appreciate all that the region has to offer.

Read our Review of Boundless Philadelphia.