Ways to stay healthy in Baldwin Park: A physician's perspective

I am a family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, wife and mother to two children living here in Baldwin Park. I am privileged to serve many of the lovely members of our community. Baldwin Park’s unique design, with its pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, abundant green spaces and numerous recreational opportunities, make it a desirable place to live. I also see it as an ideal environment for promoting wellness and activity for the entire family. My family and I are so grateful and feel so lucky to be part of such a vibrant, health-promoting neighborhood. If you live in Baldwin Park and you are hoping to find ways to improve your health, let me tell you about some of our family’s favorite ways to stay healthy together right here in our neighborhood.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
One of the aspects I love most about living in Baldwin Park is seeing my patients, friends, and neighbors out walking, running, roller-blading, scootering or biking around the community. The 2.5-mile loop around Lake Baldwin is a popular spot for exercise, and it’s common to see people of all ages enjoying the beautiful views of the lake. Personally, we enjoy kayaking on Lake Baldwin. While living in other nearby neighborhoods may require a car trip to go anywhere, part of what makes our neighborhood great is its walkability. We love being able to take a short walk to Publix or Greenbeat when we need to pick up a healthy meal for the family. Baldwin Perk also offers some yummy salads if you are looking for another healthy option. 

My kids have participated in both T-ball and soccer at Blue Jacket Park, and my husband enjoyed playing in the adult softball league. My children love their time spent doing gymnastics at Metro Gym, and we also thoroughly enjoy swimming in all of the pools and exploring all the playgrounds we have access to here. Baldwin Park is also home to an excellent dog park with a beach, perfect for pets to get their exercise. Additionally, races, outdoor yoga and other fitness events frequently take place in the community, further promoting an active lifestyle.

THE GYM LIFE
If you are looking for other more structured ways to exercise, check out one of the multiple local fitness facilities including F45, 9 Rounds, VinceFit, Body Lab Pilates and StudioFit. And although not technically in Baldwin Park, just a few minutes right up the street on Lakemont, we have an amazing facility called the Center for Health and Wellbeing that has a beautiful gym with organized classes, two pools, a healthy cafe called Nourish and a teaching kitchen known as the Nutrition Theatre. There, you can learn how to cook for improved health.

SOCIAL CONNECTION
We now know social isolation is linked to very serious health problems, making social connections extremely important. Baldwin Park encourages a strong sense of community by offering rent-able event spaces for gatherings. Plus, there are numerous community events and holiday celebrations occurring throughout the year. These things all help foster a close-knit, vibrant neighborhood. 

DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Lastly, let’s not forget that Baldwin Park also supports overall wellness with accessible health services. From counseling services to medical doctors and dentists, residents have easy access to a wide range of medical facilities just a short walk or ride away.

Living in Baldwin Park not only has inspired my personal health journey but also played a role in  driving my professional endeavors. After medical school, my husband and I relocated here for my family medicine residency, and we fell in love with Baldwin Park. It has been a wonderful and safe place to raise our two children, and living here makes it easy for us to teach them how to prioritize their own health. 

Teaching your children healthy habits when they are young is one of the greatest gifts you can give to a child. That being said, having my kids and being surrounded by a health promoting environment led me to become board certified in lifestyle medicine. Every day, I see patients 18 to 100 years old, and it is fascinating and enlightening to see how drastically lifestyle choices affect longevity. Maintaining great physical fitness and staying active has a huge impact on your health and living in a place like Baldwin Park can really help make it easier to do that. 

I have a wonderful job in Winter Park, which I love, but completely separate from that job, I recently launched a passion project, which is my Concierge Lifestyle Medicine Program. In this program, I work one-on-one with patients to help them improve their habits related to diet, exercise and overall wellness. The goal is to help them lose weight (if desired), reduce stress, and prevent or manage chronic health conditions through natural ways. 

I offer a free, monthly newsletter filled with wellness tips, healthy recipes and motivational content, and also provide on-demand video courses about various health topics. This is part of my ongoing commitment to support my patients in their journey toward a healthier lifestyle.