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ACTivism: Avon Breast Cancer Walks

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

It is an unfortunate truth that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. October might be breast cancer awareness month, but the disease still strikes 365 days a year. That is why Reese Witherspoon is working with the Avon Foundation For Women to fight breast cancer.

Fighting this disease is not just for the Hollywood elite. You can make a difference by participating in one of the Avon Breast Cancer Walks. Even their simple slogan - "For two days, we walk as one" - is pretty inspirational. The funds raised by walk participants help medically underinsured women and men receive the screening, support, and treatment they need. Proceeds from the walk also fund research for a cure for breast cancer.

Inspired to lace up your walking shoes? See if one of the nine walks is happening in your city when you read more.
Boston, MA - May 16-17
Chicago, IL - June 6-7
Rocky Mountains - June 27-28
San Francisco, CA - July 11-12
Los Angeles, CA - Sept. 12-13
New York, NY - Oct. 10-11

Coming up in 2010:
Houston, TX - April 10-11
Washington, DC - May 1-2

Have you taken part in one of these walks? If so, leave some advice for the folks doing them this year in the comments section below.

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April 8 Is National Start Walking Day

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Lace up your walking shoes tomorrow and join millions of Americans for Start Walking Day. The American Heart Association (AHA) is urging folks to start walking on April 8: walk to work, walk with your co-workers, walk your dog, walk with a friend, just walk and keep on walking. As a form of exercise, walking has the lowest dropout rate, and it's free. Walking also doesn't require practice; it is low impact, safe, and simple.

If you get really fired up about walking, you can choose to participate in a Heart Walk to raise funds for the AHA, so it can continue its fight against heart disease and stroke. In the spirit of the event, build a team at work and walk regularly during your lunch hour. Then find a Heart Walk happening near you, and get out there and just put one foot in front of the other.

Fittingly Green: RecycleYourMat.com

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

If you practice yoga regularly, chances are you've been through more than one mat. Since many of them are thin and begin to disintegrate with repeated use, you end up having to replace it at least once a year. Instead of mindlessly throwing out your mat, you can be green and recycle it. Visit the Recycle Your Mat website - the first mat recycling program. Just wash and dry it, roll it, package it in brown paper, and mail it to:

Recycle Your Mat
4777 Larkwood Street
Eugene, OR 97405

Once they receive your mat, you'll receive a confirmation email with a coupon for 20 percent off an eco-friendly Manduka mat or other Manduka product. In 2008, 50 percent of the mats were "upcycled" into yoga products, and 30 percent were donated to local community programs. The remaining mats will be upcycled in 2009. It's a great way to do your part and keep mats out of landfills.

ACTivism: Medals4Mettle

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Finishing a marathon takes strength, stamina, and bravery - in other words, mettle. But mettle is not just a term applied to able-bodied runners; it also applies to folks dealing with life-threatening diseases or severe disabilities. Medals4Mettle is a non-profit organization created to honor those people who must endure personal marathons daily.

Medals4Mettle collects medals from marathon finishers and donates them to people battling diseases. Medals4Mettle celebrates our collective human courage, and our innate desire to reward and support each other as we face life’s challenges.

If you're interested in donating a medal you've received, visit their website to locate the chapter nearest you. This could be just the motivation you need to cross that finish line in your next race.

ACTivism: Ryan Reynolds Runs For His Father's Life

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0700

One of the ways we motivate ourselves to get involved in races is by adding a bit of philanthropy to it. Apparently, celebrities need the same sort of motivation. Recently, Ryan Reynolds declared that he is going to run the New York City Marathon to raise money for Parkinson's disease (his father has been diagnosed with the disease). He wants it to be known that he is not a runner, but is willing to run for the greater good. Nonetheless, it's inspiring to everyone and anyone who has ever contemplated running a race for charity. Here are highlights:

By some tragic backwards prophecy, I find myself signed up to run in the New York City Marathon. Every other day I train. I run like a bastard all morning. Not since the discovery of Junior High School has a torture been so effective. Why on earth would I willfully do this? On behalf of my Father, Jim Reynolds, who's spent the last 15 years in a life or death struggle with Parkinson's disease.

To find out why he chose running and to see how you can help out Ryan just read more.

One of the reasons I chose running specifically, was because (as Murakami so eloquently put it) my competition is the most formidable foe of all; me. The person I have to beat is the guy I was last week. The person I was yesterday. Indescribably worse, those affected by Parkinson's wage a similar war in their own bodies every single day. Unlike a marathon, their struggle won't end in a shallow pool of vomit just outside Tavern on the Green while waiting for an ambulance. They continue day in and day out, silently battling away in the most personal of struggles.

Sorry ladies, this adorable charmer is officially off the market, but you can read his full story on the Huffington Post. And, if your budget allows, you can donate a little money to help his cause. Better yet, why not join a race and a cause that you believe in and raise money so that you can do all the running? A great way to get started is with Team in Training.

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Soles 4 Souls: Donate Your Used Sneakers

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

If you're like me, you own a few pairs of athletic shoes for all your exercise needs. I have a pair for running outside on pavement, a pair for running in the woods, and a pair for tennis. When I buy a new pair of sneakers, I always hold onto the old pair "just in case." It's always good to have a back-up pair, right? Well you may feel differently when you think of the millions of people around the world who can't even afford one pair of sneakers. You can help by donating your old sneaks to an organization called Soles 4 Souls.

I know I retire a pair of running sneaks after I've clocked 350 to 500 miles, but the pair I wear on the treadmill hardly looks worn. If you have gently used sneaks like these, you can mail them to one of these locations.

Fit's Tip: Before sending along your lonely pair, why not compile a collection from your friends, family, and fellow exercisers? I even saw a donation box at my gym recently, so ask at your gym and see if you can set one up, too.

ACTivism: Blue Planet Run

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Now that Steptember is coming to an end, do you need an excuse to get moving in October? How about doing it to fund getting safe water to kids in Tanzania?

If that sounds up your alley then take the Blue Planet Run 30-Mile Challenge. All you have to do is donate $30 and pledge to run, walk, or cycle 30 miles in 30 days this October. That's only one mile a day; you can totally do that! You'll get the satisfaction of knowing that you moved a total of 30 miles (at least) in one month and your $30 pledge will then provide water to one person for life - it's a win-win situation. For more information, to sign up, and to donate, check out BluePlanetRun.org.

ACTivism: One World Running

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Running shoes are not cheap no matter who you are, but for some people they're simply unattainable.

Donate new, gently worn sneakers, and worn sneakers to One World Running - an international nonprofit program promoting an awareness of health, fitness, and nutrition by providing running shoes to those in need in the United States and around the world. They will take your new or gently worn sneakers and send them overseas to someone who needs them. The shoes that are a little more loved (aka beat up and not suitable for shipment) are sent to Nike to be ground up and made into running tracks and playgrounds through the Reuse-a-Shoe program.

Regardless, you know your shoes will be in good hands, and feet. Send all your sneakers to:
One World Running
958 Cherry Vale Rd.
Boulder, CO 80303

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ACTivism: National River Cleanup

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Burning calories does not always mean spending 30 minutes on the treadmill. In fact there are a lot of ways we can burn calories while doing something good for others or the environment.

Think about joining National River Cleanup - the most popular and successful stream and river cleanup program in the country. It has removed 1,000 tons of litter and debris from America's rivers and streams. Along with helping to remove the junk, you'll also be burning a lot of calories. An 150-pound person can burn around 340 calories in just one hour of picking up litter.
Find a River Cleanup near you here.

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ACTivism: Spinning Nation

FitSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

If you like to bike but can't fit the seven day AIDS Life Cycle into your schedule, there is a new spin on donating to charity. You don't have to take it to the streets to fundraise physically – you can sweat it out in spin class on a stationary bike in a room with fans.

On June 28, Spinning Nation will take over 500 registered spinning facilities to raise funds to fight cancer and AIDS. Registered riders will spin in four consecutive one-hour classes. You need to raise $250 to participate and can register through Active.com. Check this list of participating sports clubs to see if your gym is involved. The funds raised will benefit Athletes for a Cure, AIDS Research Alliance and Cancer Schmancer.

For more information on registering or making donations, visit Spinning Nation.

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