Want an extra feel-good boost for your workout? You can make choices that are beneficial for your community and the entire world!
- Do you know how many plastic water bottles get thrown out every day? Eighty million. That’s a LOT of water bottles — I have a hard time imagining eight hundred or eight thousand bottles… let alone 80 million! Rather than tossing your water bottle, stick it into a recycling bin. Better yet, reuse it yourself! You’ll save money and keep the bottles out of the trash.
- Skip the plastic water bottles entirely and switch to a refillable aluminum water bottle. The cool metal will help keep your drink stay cool longer.
- Getting rid of unwanted exercise equipment or workout gear? Donate it to your local community center, school, or rehab center so that others can have a chance to live healthy.
- Have some gently used workout clothes that you can’t wear anymore? Donate them to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or other charities.
- Heading for the gym? Walk or bike, rather than taking the car. Depending on the distance, a walk or run to the gym can take care of the cardio portion of your workout and leave you gym time for using free weights or taking classes. A walk to the gym can serve as warm up and cool down, and will help cut down on car emissions.
- Recycle your sneakers. Nike is working with the National Recycling Coalition to turn used sneakers into surfaces for gyms and other athletic stuff. Your shoes can have a second life under someone else’s feet! Check out www.nrc-recycle.org for details on how to donate your shoes.
- Help forge new friendships in your community — start a walking club! Set a weekly meeting place in a park or at a track and make new friends while you walk.