GREEN YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE

Say hello to Mother Nature and get in touch with your green side. Going green with your fitness routine is easy, fun, and of course, eco-friendly. The impact of your lifestyle today plays a role in tomorrow’s future. Here are some ways to embrace an eco-friendly fitness lifestyle that you can feel good about. Now you can be fit and save the planet at the same time.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

The easiest way to go green is to exercise outdoors. No need to burn electricity, burn calories. Moving your fitness routine outside will increase your relationship with nature and your community. The combination of vitamin D from the sunshine and fresh air is sure to enhance your mood. There are so many energy-free exercises to do outdoors that the possibilities are endless. You can walk, jog, bike, hike, tennis, swim, yoga, meditation, and gardening.

Need a little more power? You can do body weight exercises like pushups in the park, body squats, lunges down a side walk, pull ups at playground, and even step ups on a park bench. You can even play Rocky by finding a flight of stairs to run up. There are also plenty of outside boot camps that include resistance exercises to pump you up.

Competitive? Go to www.organicathlete.org to get your game face on. This eco-sport organization improves not only performance but the planet as well. This non-profit organization is great for any age group.

ECO-FRIENDLY FITNESS FACILITIES

If being outside is not an option for you then join an eco-friendly gym. Most gyms nowadays are on trying to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint. A few ways for a gym to go green is to have recycling bins, chemical free cleaners, lights and faucets with sensors, and energy free machines. If your gym doesn’t have these features, you can always meet with the owner or manager to offer your findings to improve their facilities. Spread the word!

BUY REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES

Hydration is critical in the summer months. Instead of buying plastic bottles of water, install a home water filter and fill your own glass, BPA-free plastic, or stainless steel containers. Using your own recycled water bottled over and over will save thousands of plastic water bottles a year. Now I will drink to that, cheers!

GREEN GEAR

Before you buy anymore synthetic workout wear, check out some eco-friendly items to add to your fitness wardrobe. Be sure to look for organic or recycled material for clothing made of a fair trade cotton, bamboo, or hemp. Many eco-friendly companies who make clothing also donate to eco-friendly charities or causes.

Many yoga mats are now being made from bamboo and hemp. So instead of purchasing a plastic yoga mat, invest in an earth friendly mat.

Also, eco-friendly footwear is gaining ground all over the world. Many companies have eco-friendly shoes lines made with recycled rubber and organic materials. Are your shoes old? Then recycle your old running shoes. Everyday thousands of athletic shoes are being thrown away in the trash. Go green by recycling your footwear at www.recycledrunners.com.

PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Human beings were designed to perspire to release toxins from the body. Not plug it up with artificial ingredients. What’s a stinky fitness peep to do? Don’t sweat it. Use organic natural products like deodorant and sun screen. Luckily there are many eco-companies that care. Not only are these products good for you, but they are great for the environment and businesses who try to reduce their carbon footprint. You can even make your own with common household ingredients.

GO DIGITAL

Instead of a paper work out or food journal, go digital to save trees. There are many great fitness and nutrition apps available to record your progress. Go to your local app store to see which one suits you. I have an iphone and I downloaded a running app called “RunKeeper”.  RunKeeper uses GPS technology to track your time, distance, calories, and you can even see your exact path traveled on a map. You can even record your treadmill runs. So save some trees and find a fun app to motivate you!

XOXO

Marzia