Green Fitness

Making the world a better, healthier place to live in is no good if we're not healthy enough to enjoy it. With more sedentary lives and more and more processed convenient food coming at us, it is easy to get unhealthy and stay that way. Going to the gym can be costly and even embarrassing. So here is what you can do:

For starters, who needs a gym? They can be expensive, the station you want to use is always busy, Fox News blares on the TV's, and you can get a deadly case of foot fungus from those locker rooms. Gyms are anything but green. There is tons of equipment plugged in sucking energy with no one using them. The air conditioner runs really high to combat the heat increase from people working out. And a lot of them are open 24 hours with power running overnight with very few people there to use it.

The free, green alternative is outside. The outdoors can be a great gym. You can walk, run, climb stairs, and cycle for free. In the winter you can ski. Taking a hike through the woods is great exercise and a great way to stay in touch with nature. A jump rope is cheap and a great way to stay in shape, or just do jumping jacks for free. For the more advanced, climbing is a great challenge and great fun.

If strength training is more of your thing you can get into really good shape using bodyweight exercises: push-ups/press-ups, chin-ups, crunches, dips, squats, and lunges. Yoga is great for increasing strength and flexibility even into your golden years as is Tai Chi. As for myself; I bought quite a bit of used equipment and put it in my basement. In the morning I can roll out of bed and walk to the gym in less than a minute. I bought most of my equipment at a local used sporting goods store, Play It Again Sports.

Here is an article I wrote a few years back about cheap ways to get in shape:

Frugal Fitness

As with all exercise you should consult your doctor before you begin and start of slow. If you want to work out outside in the summer try to do it in the early morning or evening avoid the full heat of the sun. If you are trying to lose weight keep in mind that the maximum recommended healthy weight loss is 2 pounds per week. I'll say that again, it is the maximum. Try setting your goals on a little easier to attain numbers like 1 to 1.5 pounds per week or 5 to 6 pounds lost per month. If you are trying to gain muscle mass remember to use weight that allows good form and slowly add weight when you are ready. Consistency is what gets you in shape above all else.

Drink plenty of water (from reusable bottles) and enjoy yourself.