FitSugar

P.L.O.W. - Celebrate Earth and Exercise Outside

FitSugar — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Although April 22 was Earth Day, every day is the perfect day to celebrate the beauty and expansiveness of Mother Nature. So this weekend, instead of hitting the gym or hopping on your treadmill, enjoy an outdoor workout that requires no electricity. Get on your bike, slip on your sneaks for a trail run, or go for a walk on the beach. Enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and the gorgeous scenery as you listen to these songs about the world and the environment.

To hear my playlist read more.

5 Reasons to Bike

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Biking is my favorite form of locomotion. The world moves by at the perfect pace when pedaling. You can take in the view and still feel the wind in your face. Riding a bike is a great green way to get around since you can travel a greater distance in a shorter time when compared to walking, and it can be faster than driving. depending on gridlock traffic.

Here are five reasons to bike to work, bike about town, and bike for errands:

Eco: Since it is Earth Day, let's start with the greenest reason - biking reduces your carbon footprint. Using pedal power, rather than fossil fuels, for short trips and commutes can reduce your carbon emissions by an estimated 11 percent.
Cardio: Cycling is a wonderful, joint-friendly form of exercise. Instead of burning oil, you burn calories on your bike.
Strength: Biking about town builds leg strength. Pedaling tones your quads and hamstrings as well as your calves. Mini skirts and leggings are fashion trends with staying power, and shorts of all lengths will be very popular this Spring and Summer. Tone your gams while maximizing your pedal power.

See two other reasons to hop on your bike when you read more.

Money: Commute Solutions, out of Austin, TX, has estimated that biking rather than driving can save you serious dough. Pedaling a 10-mile round-trip commute can save you up to $10 a trip when you factor in all your driving expenses.
Fun: Biking is just plain fun. Whether you're speeding down an asphalt hill, navigating your mountain bike over tree roots, or cruising the flats - cycling is a good time.

Why do you bike?

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What Organic Produce Is Worth the Price?

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Since it's Earth Day, I thought it would be a fittingly green time to review our produce-buying options. Organic produce can be way more expensive than conventional produce, but some fruits and vegetables you should always try to buy organic, no matter what. Be a smart shopper by knowing when it's worth the higher price and when you can save your money and put the conventional produce in your cart. Need a refresher? Take my quiz!

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Take the quiz

Fittingly Green: Work Out Outside For Earth Day

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Today is Earth Day, so celebrate with an outdoor workout. Yes you can run and walk outside, but you can also strength train while doing so. All you need is an empty park bench and a curb to strength train your entire body while on the move in the outdoors.

Here are some ideas:

Take your basic step up and do it on a park bench. You will work your legs while keeping your heart rate up.
Use the same park bench for push-ups. Put your hands on the back of the bench, walk your feet out until you're in a plank position, and begin doing push-ups. For more of a challenge, put your hands on the seat of the bench. To mix it up, place one hand on the arm of the bench and the other on the seat. Make sure to repeat the same number of reps after switching your hand configuration to the other side.
Curb your calf raises. Stand with balls of feet on a curb/step, heels hanging off, and raise both heels for 10 reps. For an extra challenge, try single-leg calf raises.

Do I have more ideas? You betcha! See them when you read more.

Single-leg squats on the bench will challenge your balance while toning your tush. Stand sideways on the bench with your right side toward the back of the bench and your left leg dangling off the seat. Bend your right leg into a squat position as your left leg moves lower than the bench seat. Do 10 on each leg.
Take your lunges for a walk in the great outdoors. Find an open space in the park, or a quiet stretch of sidewalk, and add some lunges into your run or walk.
Use the seat of a bench to tone the back of your arms with some triceps dips.

Don't forget to try the monkey bars next time you jog past a playground, too.

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6 Ways to Green Your Healthy Lifestyle

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Today might be Earth Day, but to really make a change, we need to make every day about the environment. Here are six ideas to help you take care of the planet while taking care of yourself.

Reusable Water Bottles	Recycle Your Sneaks	Bag Your Suit
Recycle Your Yoga Mat	Use BPA-Free Tupperware	Avoid Processed Meat

How have you greened your workout, your diet, or your healthy lifestyle? Please share in the comments section below, and you might just inspire another Sugar user to make a change too. Happy Earth Day.

Words That Move You . . .

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

“Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyles.”

- Pope John Paul II

Need more motivation? Check out all of my words that move you.

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How to Eat to Help the Earth

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Being healthy is about taking care of your body, focusing on both fitness and food. Today being Earth Day, I wanted to share these ideas on how to eat healthy and help the planet by nutritionist Monica Reinagel at Nutrition Data.

Here are the highlights:

Become a "locavore." On average, the food we eat travels 1,500 miles from its source to our plates, guzzling fuel and spewing CO₂ emissions all the way. With more and more organic food being imported from South America (and further!) to meet growing demand, buying organic is not necessarily environmentally friendly. Consistently choosing foods from growers close to where you live can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your diet. To find farms and growers near you, visit LocalHarvest.org.
Eat seasonally. When you eat foods that are not in season where you live, they have either been stored from another season or transported from another climate. Both consume energy and degrade the nutritional quality of the food. For the freshest, most flavorful, most economical, and most eco-conscious foods, plan your menus around what is being harvested in your area.To find out what's in season where you live, see this guide from SustainableTable.org.

There are three other ideas, so read more.

Eat fewer packaged and preprocessed foods. Even when they are organic or “all natural,” processed foods consume energy and water, add cost, and create waste at every step of production, packaging, and distribution. To lower your food bill, improve the nutritional quality of your meals, and reduce the negative impact of your diet on the planet, buy whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
Support small farms. Large industrial farms (whether organic or conventional) generally end up cultivating just one or two crops because it is more efficient for them. But a monoculture is tough on the environment, stripping the land of certain nutrients and overloading it with particular waste products. Small farms are more likely to grow a diverse mix of crops and raise a variety of animals, which creates a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem.
Choose organic. Organic foods preserve healthier soil, air, and groundwater by eliminating or strictly limiting the use of pesticides, drugs, hormones, and artificial fertilizers. Organic practices are healthier for farmers, neighbors of farmers, consumers, and the planet than industrial farming practices. But buying organic is not enough to maintain a healthy environment: Choosing foods that are local, seasonal, unprocessed, and sustainably grown is just as important."

I know that putting all these ideas into practice sounds a bit daunting, but so does running a marathon and I still keep running. It is all about baby steps. Adopt the practices you can. I will never be able to give up coffee and it certainly isn't grown anywhere close to my home. However, I wait to buy asparagus and strawberries until they are in season in my area and bear stickers declaring "California Grown" so I know they weren't shipped all the way from South America.

Do you follow any of these practices? Have any tips of your own to share? Tell me in the comments section below.

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Eco Exercise for Earth Day

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Since it is Earth Day, I thought we should review some groovy exercise equipment that requires no electricity. There is one cycling stand that even produces energy – how cool is that? To see what I am talking about just start the slideshow.

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View Slideshow ›

P.L.O.W. – Earth Day

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Today is Earth Day! One of my favorite ways to celebrate Earth Day is by taking a run by the Bay. I made myself a little thematic playlist to accompany my run. Bands with the word "earth" and "green" made the cut, as well as some environmental anthems. These songs will get you moving. I think sweating a little is a great way to celebrate Earth Day, and I hope you re-hydrate from a reusable water bottle!

To hear the list just click on the white triangle after you read more

Total PLOW = 39:37

Did I miss your favorite song? Share the title in the comment section below.

Looking for more ways to be active on Earth Day? Check out EarthDay.net, they have a lot of ideas for you.

If you live in NYC, SF, or Chicago, walk, cycle, take public transit or car pool to the Green Apple Music & Arts Festival. This is the largest celebration of Earth Day and they are committed to raising environmental awareness by combining live musical performances from diverse genres, with educational outreach and cultural events suitable for all audiences.

I added a Dave Matthews Song to this playlist not only because he's playing in NYC for this festival, but he also teamed up with Ben & Jerry's and SaveOurEnvironment.org to support global warming initiatives.

To hear my Earth Day playlist, just press the green arrow after you read more

PLOW Total: 43:49