With the onset of better weather, longer days and sunshine, now is a great time to get outside! Consider the following suggestions to be active outdoors and do some good for your planet!
Park it! Ride your bike
The average person drives about 12,500 miles at 581 gallons of gas and 78 pounds of hydrocarbons each year. Get out your trusty, old 2 wheeler and put your man power to work. Even if you rode your bike 10 miles a day, 5 days a week, for 25 weeks a year, you could save yourself and the planet about 60 gallons of gas and harmful emissions. So, maybe you don’t live 10 miles from work, but it’s likely that your home or your workplace is close to a public parking lot or even park! Drop off the car and complete the trek via pedal, or bike to meet coworkers to carpool. Moreover, bicycling at pace of about 11 mph can burn between 400-500 calories per hour!
Hit the pavement
Walking at a pace of 3.0 mph can burn about 224 calories per hour. Got errands? Try walking to the pharmacy or grocery for small items. Lunch date? Pick a location close enough to get to on foot. Burn calories, not gas! Make it a family affair, dog walk, kids….
Plant a garden, even a small one
General gardening tasks burn about 272 calories an hour and you’ll be able to reap the rewards of your own crops throughout the growing season and eat healthier! By producing your own fruits or vegetables you can reduce carbon emissions, add less to landfills and contributes to a healthier lifestyle.
Help keep your city clean
Adopt a road or just help keep the outdoors beautiful by picking up litter around the roadways. Burning about 200 calories per hour, this task will keep you active and enjoying the outdoors. Get a group together, set a time and place and enjoy the camaraderie!
By: Tonya Potts, DPT, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
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