The Healthy People program recommends that adults get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as walking) five times a week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (such as running) every week. It seems, however, that the majority of people still aren’t meeting these goals.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released its figures for the most and least fit metropolitan centers in America, and the results indicate that many people aren’t getting as much exercise as recommended by the Healthy People 2010 initiative.

America’s Most Fit Cities

So where are the fittest cities in America, according to the CDC?

The Top Ten Healthy Cities Are

1. Boulder, CO
2. Provo-Oren, Utah
3. Anchorage
4. Barnstable Town, Mass.
5. Lincoln, Nebraska
6. Portland, Maine
7. Fort Collins, Colorado
8. Grand Rapids, Mich.
9. Albuquerque, N.M.
10. Casper, Wyoming

In all ten cities, between 57% (Casper) and 67% (Boulder) of the population are exercising regularly, meeting the goals of the Healthy People initiative’s 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. In addition, between 31% (Casper) and 43% (Boulder) are getting regular vigorous exercise.

America’s Least Fit Cities

And the Least Fit Cities?

1. Chattanooga, TN.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
3. Baton Rouge, LA.
4. Lake Charles, LA.
5. Hickory, N.C.
6. Birmingham, Alabama.
7. Mobile, Ala.
8. Tuscaloosa, Ala.
9. Jackson, Miss.
10. Fort Smith, Ark.

In the “bottom ten” cities, the CDC reports, between 40% (Memphis) and 37% (Chattanooga) are getting regular moderate exercise. And in every city, less than 25% of the population is getting regular vigorous exercise.

Want to make a difference to your health in 2009? Stop dieting – studies show it doesn’t work in the long run, and yo-yoing weight can even be harmful to your health. Instead, decide to make healthier food choices more often than you currently do. Over time, increase your percentage of healthy food choices until you’re at a point where you’re getting a good balance of calories and nutrition. These types of goals are much more sustainable than restrictive diets, and are much more likely to stick in the long term.

When it comes to exercise, choose something you really enjoy doing, rather than what the latest magazine workout program tells you to do. If you exercise in a way that’s fun, you’ll be far more likely to keep up with it throughout the year.

photo credit: Ed Yourdon