Green your exercise routine

THE IDEA:
While I understand that we all have different exercise routines, but running on the treadmill at our local gym is not very uncommon. Going to the gym is great for many different reasons including, safety, classes, and for using a wide range of excerise machines. However the next time you pick up the keys to drive to the gym, STOP and think for a moment. Are you planning on running on the treadmill once you’re at the gym? If your answer is yes, why not just go running in your local neighborhood? Obviously if safety is an issue this is completely understandable, but if you feel safe why not put down the keys and save the gas (or think about running with a partner)? You’re right- currently gas prices aren’t so bad and driving 5-10 miles to the gym isn’t much of an expense, but it’s the small changes in our everyday lives which have the greatest impact on our environment.

THE DECISION:
Ok- so you have decieded to go running in your local neighborhood, that’s great! By doing this you have not only conserved fuel, but have also reduced your carbon footprint for the day, both of which are a great start to any run.

THE RUN:
Well you have avoided the going to the gym and are enjoying the great outdoors on your run, but there is something you keep seeing. Your area may be “free” of this eye sore, but odds are it’s not. What is this eyesore you may ask? Trash or litter, whatever you want to call it is everywhere we look and contrary to what we want to believe, does not magically find its way into a trash can. I know you don’t really know where I am going with this, but let me back up and tell you that you up a plastic bag in your pocket before you left home for your run. Yes, you are going to help clean up your local area by picking up trash once you have completed your run and are in the process of cooling down while walking back to your home.

THE HOMEWORK:
Now you have made it back home and to your susprise you have a FULL bag of trash. This next step is crucial, take the time to sort out the recyclables, they are more than likely the majority of the trash you came across. Taking the few moments to sort through your bag is what preserves the environment and helps reduce energy use down the road when those materials are recycled.

THE SPOILS:
You are probably thinking, huh? Spoils? What is he talking about? Well the main benefit for this whole process is to change a little thing in your life and as time goes by it will have compounding positive effect upon our lives. That being said your rewards may be realized a little quicker if you cash in your recyclables in for some green or come across an unopenned beer, which was the case on my most recent run.

THE MAIN GOAL:
Simple: If you do not need to excerise at the gym skip it and head outdoors for your exercise. Along the way you can help your neighborhood and the environment by picking up trash. Please remember to take the next step and recycle whatever you find along the way to help perserve this place we call home.

WHAT YOU MAY NEED:
This idea is SIMPLE, all you really need is a good pair of running shoes and a place to run.