Where I live definitely influences my wellness habits, so today I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to practice wellness in the west loop!
Wellness is a term we hear a lot of about in this social media driven world that we live in. For some it means adopting the latest health practices and going to the gym daily, and for others it simply means making time to read before bed. To me there is no right or wrong way to do wellness and depending on the time of year, and what’s going on in my life my perspective on and definition of wellness changes.
This post was created in partnership with Marquette Management but all opinions are my own and as always, I appreciate your support!
It can often feel like we have to go to fancy places, spend a lot of money and put something crazy on our faces to achieve “wellness”. As I dietitian, I don’t buy that and want to talk about some things that help me achieve wellness located right in my neighborhood of the west loop / fulton market, Chicago. I use where I live as an advantage to help me implement these some of the strategies listed below for my mental, physical and overall well-being. While I talk specific activities that are unique to my neighborhood, I am betting that you can implement these strategies no matter where you live.
When life gets crazy our personal wellness is often the first thing to go out the window. Maybe we feel it’s selfish to care for ourselves before caring for all of our other priorities, but the truth is self-care is not selfish. It helps us be the best possible versions of ourselves!
I used to live in extreme stress and get a massage monthly thinking that would clear up all of my feelings of anxiety until the next time I could fit in some time for personal wellness. The weeks dragged on and I realized that I needed little activities throughout the week to help fill up my wellness bucket rather then one big thing every once in a while. Having these little things to look forward to like a walk around the neighborhood, or a new workout class is how I practice wellness in the west loop!
I’m excited to tell you more about these activities and share how my neighborhood influences this part of my life! If you’re moving to Chicago, or looking to relocate neighborhoods in the city, be sure to check out Fulton Market’s newest luxury apartments at The Mason. The building features a vintage and industrial inspired aesthetic, built with high-end amenities for a modern lifestyle. If you’re interested in learning more about why I love this west loop and information on The Mason, be sure to check out this post too!
Wellness in the West Loop
It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it’s ok if it looks different for every person–wellness is definitely not a linear journey with a clear destination, but rather a journey that can be enhanced with simple activities during our daily lives.
Try a new workout class or shake up your workout routine
Many boutique fitness studios and gyms have taken up residence in the West Loop / Fulton Market neighborhood making super convenient to try a new class and see if it’s your style! Switching up my fitness routine is one of the ways I keep from getting bored in the gym and keeps my body guessing. My favorite gyms / studios in the area are:
- Pure Barre West Loop / Fulton Market
- Title Boxing Club
- Core Power Yoga
- CrossTown Fitness
- Page One Pilates
One advantage of living in a building managed by Marquette Management is that resident wellness is a big priority. My building has a gym with very new equipment and weights for every level which makes fitting in some activity even on days when I think I can’t that much easier. Chicago weather in the winter is truly anything but motivating and not having to go outside to go to the gym was such a game changer for me. For days when I felt cooped up inside it was so nice to be able to head up to the gym and just walk on the treadmill.
The Mason’s fitness amenities will include an expansive fitness center equipped with commercial-grade, state-of-the art cardio, strength and “crossfit-style” equipment. Featured will be top-of-the-line Woodway treadmills, Peloton spin bikes and a TRX workout area, among other premium offerings. Also included is a yoga/group fitness studio with on-demand classes.
Soaring ceiling heights, eclectic brick interior facades, surround-sound and user-controlled televisions embedded within the cardio equipment and throughout the space allow for optimum entertainment while you upgrade your fitness standards. In addition, expansive, floor-to-ceiling glass doors allow for an “open-air” feel, bringing the fresh outside air in even as you hone your indoor workout game.
Try a New Restaurant
Trying a new place to eat is definitely on my list of wellness activities because it allows me to experience different cultures and cuisines through food. As a recipe developer and dietitian, I’m always drawing on unique menu items for inspiration and honestly enjoy the break from cooking! I love getting the girls together and trying a new place we haven’t been to or having a low-key date night in one of Fulton Market’s cozy spots (more of my favorite places to eat in this post!)
Take a Walk Around the Block
Easy to do and free of cost, simply talking a walk before or after work when the weather is nice is a great way to take time for yourself. Listen to music, a podcast, take your dog, or go solo, however this walk may look to you is right. I always walk Pumpkin down Randolph and love seeing new businesses pop up on the street.
We always run into more dogs he can be friends with and dog parents that I like talking to. The community all comes out to enjoy a nice day together and you can really feel that as you walk up and down the streets and around the park. Living on the west side is also very close to the Chicago Riverwalk, which is a great path to walk down and grab a drink at in the warm months.
Another wellness place definitely worth mentioning is Scratch Goods, a local skin care studio that uses products that are free from parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, + dyes. Their mask bar uses food-grade ingredients that are safe enough to eat, fragrance from pure essential oils only, and zero water, eliminating the need for synthetic preservatives. They also host yoga classes and other community events in their zened out space that are great ways to meet other members of the community.
How do you define wellness and does where you live help you to practice wellness in your daily life?
XOXO
MAGGIE
