^{Courtesy of Allard1 on Flickr}

So many of us are trying to get in shape for the swimsuit season or just like to keep fit and healthy. Some of us dread going to the gym or going for a daily run, while others may enjoy it. Well if you make the choice to get out there and do your mind, body, and spirit some good, then brownie points for you! The next step maybe to think about greening your workout as best as possible. You don't need a gym membership so that the extreme regular gym goers can intimidate you into thinking to yourself "I can never look like that!" Forget that business! All you need is a pair of shoes. So let's get to some things you can do that will feel great and be eco friendly all at the same time. Here is our list of 5 ways to green your exercise routine:

1) Blow the dust off your bicycle and get involved with your community. If you've put it off in the past for fear of riding alone, there are many bicycle groups within communities across the nation. And if you don't own a bicycle, search the ads in your area and get one used (another way to green your routine). Riding your bike is free and helps you be one with the nature around you!

2) If you do choose to join a gym then pick one closest to your home. Then you can either walk, run, or bike there. This will cut down on carbon emissions and save you some gas money from driving, and possibly save you parking fees.

3) Lace up your shoestrings and just run. Running in the outdoors is the best form of cardio exercise (in my opinion). Actually out of all motorized pieces of fitness equipment, treadmills use the most energy. So why waste energy when there is the beautiful outdoors to enjoy? There may be some psychological perks as well. Their could be mental health benefits of exercise while working out in the fresh air. A study conducted by the City University of New York found that women who regularly exercised outdoors in parks felt that nature helped to revitalize their senses and restore their mental capacity. A similar study conducted by the University of Essex revealed that individuals exposed to images of the outdoors while exercising reported higher levels of self-esteem post-workout than those who were not. Personally I find that going for a jog on a nice day is a great way to clear your head and gather your thoughts. Being cooped up in a gym makes my mind focused only on the calories I'm burning, which sometimes leads to more stress and pressure.

4) Purchase a reusable water bottle. It's probably one of the more important things you can do. Since 38 billion plastic bottles go into landfills in the US each year. Plastic bottles take up to 1000 years to biodegrade. Also regular water bottles contain chemicals that may leak into your water...yikes! There are many reusable water bottles out there on the market that can fit whatever activity you may need it for. Besides that one time use water bottles are wasteful.

5) Eat Organically and Wear Naturally. Before your workout you will need some kind of food in your tummy, so make sure its energizing fresh and organic. Skip the artificial stuff and processed foods. Go with something light like an organic energy bar. Also if you feel like a new pair of yoga pants or biking shorts will help get you motivated to get into a green routine, then go with organic fabrics with soy and and organic cotton blends.

Don't forget to check out our tips on swimming green and tips on green summer fun.

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