Are you eager to take action on your weight loss goals, and thinking about how to keep it eco-friendly? Here are our 5 top tips to get going!
- Invest in eco-friendly workout gear.
Special equipment is not required for working out, but when you’re just getting started or your running gear is showing signs of wear and tear, you may need to shop for new gear. When the time comes, you may consider vendors that have a selection of eco-friendly workout clothes made with organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, recycled and even soy fibers, which are usually grown and harvested in a sustainable manner.
- Eat less meat.
Livestock farming has a vast negative environmental impact, far greater than any other food production. It contributes to land and water degradation, biodiversity loss, acid rain, coral reef degeneration, and deforestation. It accounts for 18% of human-produced greenhouse gas, and contributes to climate change.
Consider making meat less of a staple in your diet. If you are reluctant to give up meat altogether, going meat-free just one day per week will significantly improve your carbon footprint. Can eating less meat help you to lose weight? Research shows that vegetarians and vegans tend to weigh less than people who eat meat. Plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables are generally high in nutrition and low in calories, and are important in a heart-healthy diet.
- Healthy Hydration
Polycarbonate plastics – used to produce some single-use plastic water bottles – contain chemical additives and manufacturing impurities, such as bisphenol A (BPA), a harmful chemical. Even if you already recycle, it’s best to stay safely hydrated while you workout by making use of a BPA-free reusable water bottle to carry drinks, and invest in a water filter to reduce tap water contaminants.
- Go green with your transportation.
Consider ways get to your workout location of choice in an earth-friendly manner. Instead of driving to the gym, bike trail or park across town where you may carpool with friends, use public transit, or choose a nearby destination to decrease your carbon footprint even further.
- Opt for eco-friendly exercise.
It’s possible to get moving in ways that improve your general well-being and slim your waistline while also reducing your carbon footprint! Some suggestions:
Walking is considered one of the best ways to incorporate physical activity into your day. Experts recommend the average adult aim for 10,000 steps each day. Commit to walking to your destination at least one day a week if you can reasonably do so – you’ll be doing yourself and the environment some good.
Running, like walking, can be done almost anywhere with little to no equipment needed. This eco-friendly activity burns more calories in less time than almost any other form of continuous exercise.
Regular yoga practice improves flexibility and core strength, while enhancing your overall body awareness. It also helps in focusing the mind and deepens your connection to the environment around you. This is a great way to open your mind and spirit to the possibilities of further action to take in achieving your personal fitness and environmental goals!
With love and compassion,
Team Karunaki
Photocred: Filip Mroz on Unsplash