Fit Together in Action – June 2026

Fit Together Highlights

Exercise Equipment for ALL!

No matter what your age, you could probably use a little more fun! The free exercise equipment that Fit Together installed on the Sue Grossman Greenway can add more fun to any fitness routine.

More than just a beautiful place for a walk, the Greenway offers access to a variety of unique exercises. You can test your balance or agility, swing through the adult version of the monkey bars, work out your quads, team up for sit-ups with perfect form, or work your core and legs in one challenging movement.

This month we are featuring videos of each piece of equipment. We hope you will find a new favorite! The videos will be featured on our social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram). Or, you can check them out right away on our Sue Grossman Greenway page.

Healthy Activities in June

Fit Together members and partners are hosting many free, healthy activities throughout Northwest Connecticut this month. Check them out below, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates:

    • 6/5, 7:00 pm, Sound Journey Meditation, Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library, Register Here.
    • 6/6, 9-11:30 am, A.F.A. (Torrington Area Families for Autism) Walk Our Way Autism Walk & Resource Fair, Goshen, CT. – Learn more and register at: https://www.tafainc.org/upcoming-events.html
    • 6/6 & 6/7, CT Trails Day. Free trail events throughout Connecticut. Find events at TrailsDay.org
    • 6/11, 6-8 pm, Supermarket Smarts: Tips and Tricks for Healthy Grocery Shopping, Torrington Library – Free nutrition talk with Carla Angevine, MPH, MS, RDN. Register Here
    • 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 6:30 pm, Free Yoga at Manor Playground in Winsted – Enjoy free yoga with Anna Rose at the Corner of Oakdale Ave and Glendale Ave. Wednesdays until 7/22. Bring a yoga mat, blanket, or towel. No registration needed. See Flyer (PDF).
    • 6/13, 10 am-1 pm, Summer Reading Kickoff Party, Licia & Mason Beekley Community Library, New Hartford – There will be prizes, games, face painting, and a chance to try out the Fit Together Blender Bike.
    • 6/13, 10 am -12 pm, Touch-A-Truck, Northwestern Arts & Science Building, 209 Holabird Ave, Winsted, Parking at Greenwoods Hall. See Flyer (PDF)
    • 6/27, 10 am, Miles for Memories Mini-Walk, White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield – Event Opens 10 am, Ceremony 11 am, Walk Kicks-Off 11:15 am. Visit https://act.alz.org/centralct  to learn more and register.
    • 6/28, 10 am, Krazy Kids One Mile Obstacle Run, Camp Moe, 1145 Brandy Hill Rd, Torrington, CT – A fun race for kids 6-12. Learn more and Register Here.

    If you have a healthy event to share, please let us know at fittogether@how2fitkids.org.

    Kids’ Corner – Family Fitness

    The National Recreation and Park Association celebrates Family Fitness Day on June 13th this year. It is a powerful reminder that being active as a family can encourage a lifelong love of fitness in children. In addition, this celebration highlights the wonderful parks and recreation facilities present in our community. This month’s resources highlight our local parks and offer tips for family fitness and fun.

    7 Ways to Stay Fit as a Family

    1. Visit a Local Trail – There are so many in our area! See Northwest Connecticut Hiking Trails from our August 2025 newsletter.
    2. Pack a Healthy Family Picnic – Get everyone involved. Pick out a local park and pack all your favorite healthy snacks and sandwiches. Bring a frisbee and a ball so you can get in some active fun too.
    3. Immerse Yourself in Nature – Being in nature calms the nervous system. Virtually any activity in green space can be healing. Go birdwatching, try to identify new plants and flowers, sit by the water, or go forest bathing.
    4. Play a Sport – Organized sports are some of the best ways to stay active. Find your local Parks & Recreation Department or check out the programs at the NWCT YMCA.
    5. Play on the Playground – Swinging on the swings, hanging from the monkey bars, and climbing the stairs of the slide offer serious exercise and great fun! Visiting a community playground can be fun for the whole family.
    6. Explore Waterways – The local ponds and reservoirs in our area offer opportunities for swimming and boating all summer.
    7. Attend a Community Event – Litchfield County has so many healthy events! Get out to an outdoor concert for some dancing or sign up for a fun run. We feature new activities every week on our Facebook page.

    [List modified from A Park User’s Guide to Family Health & Fitness Day: 7 Ways You Can Celebrate ]

    Family Fitness Resources

    For more family fitness ideas and resources, check out:

    Worksite Wellness Tip – Men’s Health Month

    In June we celebrate Father’s Day, along with Men’s Health Month. This year’s theme is “Partners in Care,” which focuses on the shared responsibility of supporting the males in our lives. By doing so we can strengthen our families and our community overall.

    Since men tend to be less health-focused than women, they are at greater risk for several preventable diseases. In fact, men have higher mortality rates for the top 10 causes of death in the U.S. Additionally, the average life expectancy of men is 6 years less than women.

    Awareness can help. By encouraging the men in our lives to commit to regular health check-ups and incorporate healthy activities into their routines, we can turn these dangerous stats around. The resources that follow can be shared in your workplace or with your friends and family.

    Top Men’s Health Issues

    The following health conditions are particularly concerning for men in America:

    • Heart Disease and Stroke – the leading causes of death among men.
    • Prostate and Testicular Cancers – unique to men, early detection is essential.
    • Colorectal and Lung Cancers – these cancers disproportionately impact men.
    • Diabetes and Metabolic Conditions – these are largely associated with preventable risk factors like diet and exercise.
    • Mental Health Challenges – depression and suicide result in higher mortality rates in men.
    • Substance Use Disorders – a greater tendency towards use leads to preventable deaths and a reduced quality of life.
    • Workplace-Related Injuries – higher incidences imply a greater need for safety training for males.

    [List modified from MensHealthMonth.org]

    Men’s Health Resources

    Healthy Recipes – Brain Food

    What we eat impacts every part of our bodies. Our brains are no exception. Research shows that consuming certain foods and nutrients can lead to better brain health. This month’s healthy recipes feature offers easy suggestions and info on the MIND diet in honor of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.

  • Brain Health Recipes
    • Blueberry Avocado Muffins – sweetened with applesauce this recipe from The Foundation for Fresh Produce has no added sugar, and includes blueberries, a brain health superstar.
    • 100++ Leafy Green Recipes – includes a great list of leafy green vegetables and a wide variety of recipes from a registered dietitian nutritionist.

    MIND Diet Basics

    • Include these 10 brain healthy food groups – dark leafy greens, berries, other vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil, and wine
    • Reduce theses 5 unhealthy options – red meats, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried or fast food.

    MIND Diet Resources

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