Green fitness

This time of year, in the wake of all the celebratory feasting that rang out the old year, it’s easy to feel stuck with those extra few pounds. Sure, we made our resolutions to slim down by summertime, but it can be tough to follow through when we still feel like we’re in hibernation mode. The trick to beating the late winter slump is to get moving, and with so many of us intent on living greener lifestyles as well, why not forge a fitness plan that shrinks your “footprint” on the earth, too? Exercise doesn’t have to take a big toll on the environment. Heck, bundling up and heading outdoors for a brisk walk is great for you and low-impact on the planet. But we tend to take for granted the accessories we buy in order to make exercise more approachable. Even the small stuff adds up (just look at the size of the fitness industry), so seeking out greener options can make a big difference. If you’re looking for a new pair of walking shoes, a yoga mat or an organic cotton sweat suit, there’s a growing gamut of environmentally friendly fitness accessories on the market. Workout Wear When it comes to clothing, look to companies that offer organic fibers as well as recycled materials. Patagonia (www.patagonia.com) has saved some 86 million bottles from landfills by using them to create high-quality repurposed athletic wear. Bamboo is a breathable and naturally antibacterial fiber, and Bamboosa (www.bamboosa.com) offers a whole line of organic bamboo clothing made in the United States. Gaiam (www.gaiam.com) offers organic cotton and soy-fiber fitness clothing. Other green-minded retailers include prAna (www.prana.com), Blue Canoe (www.bluecanoe.com), Nau (www.nau.com) and Title Nine (www.titlenine.com). Just remember that it’s best to avoid fabric treated with antibacterial, waterproof or sunblocking finishes because these unhealthy chemicals can find their way into your skin and lungs. For Your Feet Footwear is the very foundation of many fitness programs, and now you’ve got choices when it comes to your environmental footprint. Planet Shoes (www.planetshoes.com) has compiled a line of Eco-Logical athletic shoes from various manufacturers such as Patagonia, Chaco, Earth Rocket and more. These shoes are produced from recycled materials, animal-friendly products and fewer harsh chemicals, and they are manufactured in plants with environmentally sustainable initiatives. Also, check out Great Green Shoes (http://greatgreenshoes.com) and Shoes with Souls http://shoeswithsouls.com). And when your old trainers have lost their luster, don’t pitch ‘em; instead, consider passing them on to Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program, which takes tennies of any brand and recycles them to make athletic fields, running tracks, sport courts and playgrounds around the world. Green Gear Fitness equipment can make working out a lot more fun, but much of the gear available from department stores is full of petrochemical plastics like PVC that can counteract your mission to get healthier. It may take a couple days longer to order your equipment from an online retailer, but unless you’ve got a specialty sports shop nearby, it’s worth the wait to purchase products that are better for you and the environment. Natural Fitness (www.naturalfitnessinc.com) sells high-quality eco-fitness accessories like exercise balls, resistance tubes and yoga blocks, while maintaining a small environmental footprint. When it comes to yoga mats, Jade Yoga’s Harmony Yoga Mat is top-notch. It’s made of biodegradable natural rubber, available in eight colors, and it’s made in the United States. Plus, the company plants a tree for every mat sold (www.jadeyoga.com). If you’re trying to trim your budget as well as your waistline, look to your local second-hand sporting-goods store to get great deals on gently used gear. Sore Muscles Be prepared for a few aches and pains. This is totally natural — just consider it a “breaking in” period for your physique. But instead of grabbing a tube of chemical-laden cream at the grocery store, soothe your muscles organically. Arnica (Arnica montana) is a plant that has long been used topically to reduce inflammation and associated pain. It is the primary ingredient in natural muscle salves such as Badger Sore Muscle Rub (www.badgerbalm.com) and Mountain Rose Injur Heal Balm for use after arduous exercise, exertion or injury (www.mountainroseherbs.com). Organic Inspiration A wonderful secret to staying revved up about your fitness program is pampering yourself — you deserve it! So, whether you want to kick off your plan in luxury or reward yourself for hanging in there, treat yourself to a health-conscious basket of goodies from A Fitness Basket (www.afitnessbasket.com). Their specialty is creating custom-made gift baskets brimming with all-natural and organic gourmet foods, and natural bath and body-care products. An Organic Botanical Spa Collection or Honey Bath Gift Set would also be the perfect way to invite a girlfriend to join your shape-up effort. Pull-Out — Outdoor Fitness Ideas Tips and Ideas For Green Fitness Start a garden. Planting, weeding and tending plants build in low-impact exercise. Pruning trees and pulling weeds can have as much benefit as a dumbbell routine. Tim Spurgeon of the gardening charity Thrive recommends gardening as an “extremely versatile form of exercise. It uses all the major muscle groups and also increases flexibility and strengthens joints.” Turning compost burns 250 calories in half an hour, and weeding 180. One to two hours of gardening a day can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and other chronic illnesses, one study found. Gardening can even boost immunity, U.S. researchers say. (www.allaboutyou.com/diet-wellbeing/Join-the-green-gym/v1) Nature’s Healing Powers A growing number of studies show the positive influence nature has on our health. Research has found that: — Rural residents have a lower incidence of mental health problems than their urban counterparts. — Patients with a view of nature from their hospital window are discharged sooner than those who don’t have any greenery to look at. — Just walking through a botanical garden can reduce stress levels. Increasing evidence suggests that both physical and mental health are improved through contact with nature,” says Dr. William Bird, a GP and strategic health adviser for Natural England. “Research shows that blood pressure and muscle tension drop when we’re in the presence of nature. Nature gives us a sense of belonging and of well-being.” Nature is also good because it’s so stimulating. In a study comparing people walking outside with others walking on a treadmill, those on the treadmill got more tired, even though they were doing the same work because they had far fewer distractions. Walking is the perfect green exercise. By walking outside, on uneven ground, you’re giving your legs a more challenging workout than you might get on a treadmill. Caption: Walk, bike, or jog outside once or twice a week for the health benefits and the peace of mind that comes from being in a serene and natural setting. The important thing is: GET OUT!