When you go to the gym, you expect to burn some calories, get lean, and build muscle. But what if you could do so much more than just get closer to achieving your fitness goals – what if you could help save the planet while trying to get fit, too?! Human-powered gyms are popping up all over the world and aim to do their part in reducing their carbon emissions.

What is a Human-Powered Gym?

A human-powered gym relies on specially configured exercise equipment that capture energy people create while getting fit – pedaling, running, crunching, and so on. This energy is converted into electricity and channeled into power outlets and voilà!: a human-powered gym.

People exercising can now reach their fitness goals while doing something positive for the environment. Win, Win.

Where Are They?

Partially and fully human-powered gyms are popping up everywhere, but it will still take time for the concept and technology to take hold.

California Fitness in Hong Kong is perhaps the first to mainstream the human-powered gym concept. Since 2007, it has integrated “Powered by YOU” cross-trainer machines and stair steppers into its locations. These machines connect to individual light fixtures and batteries. When a person begins to exercise on these machines, electrical energy is captured and diverted to the light fixture above the machine. Any additional energy created is stored in a battery.

In Portland, Oregon, Green Microgym is a pioneer in the USA’s human-powered gym segment. The gym uses about 85% less electricity and has a carbon footprint that is only 10% of that of a traditional gym. Each member can expect to save about one-fourth of a ton of carbon by working out at Green Microgym than they would at any other regular gym.

In England, The Great Outdoor Gym Company has launched four outdoor gym pieces that offer a cardiac workout and generate electricity at the same time. You can get fit while you charge your phone, iPad, or other devices.

ReRev is a Florida-based company that retrofits cardio equipment to reroute the energy they emit as a heat by-product. Instead, this energy is delivered to a central processing unit that converts the human power to utility grade electricity. A regularly used elliptical machine can generate about one kilowatt-hour of electricity every two days. That is enough to power a laptop for 24 hours or use a vacuum cleaner for 45 minutes. ReRev has been retrofitting machines at university campus gyms across the country. Such universities include Drexel, Howard, James Madison, Texas State, and Oregon State.

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How well do you know your favorite Instagram personality? I recently sat down with Instagram influencer Tim Moore, better known these days to his 183,000 followers as the Vegan Fat Kid, for a simple day-in-the-life profile story. I expected a quick, lighthearted conversation about epic burritos and workout routines, and perhaps a tip as to where to find the best vegan doughnut in Los Angeles. To my surprise, we launched into a two-hour conversation on body image, survival, activism, and self discipline. Read on for an unfiltered exclusive with Moore.

Humble Beginnings

Moore grew up in South Auckland, New Zealand, dreaming of the day he would get to take his Oversees Experience, or “OE.” The OE is a right of passage for islanders; it is typically a one month excursion to a mainland taken around the age of twenty-one. Moore flew straight to Chicago, but quickly realized it did not fit his idealized image of America, shaped by his favorite childhood films. A 2 a.m. conversation with a stranger in a bar convinced him to fly to Los Angeles with twenty dollars in his pocket. He ended up in Venice Beach living in a hostel, setting up trinket stands on the boardwalk and eventually washing dishes. Moore credits this as the most eye-opening and exciting time of his life.

“Successes in life don’t come from what you want to do, they come from what you have to do.”

He put his head down and worked with a goal to pursue his passion of making music. Over a period of ten years, Moore purchased enough audio equipment to set up his own recording studio. York Recordings in LA’s hipster neighborhood of Highland Park remains his full-time occupation to this day.

Going Vegan

Five years ago, a knee injury landed Moore in the ER, waiting twelve hours for an MRI. To pass the time, he watched people. He noticed their reoccurring trips to the vending machines and crumpled up bags of fast food, and came to the realization that most had eaten their way into their current situation. After Googling the Standard American Diet and learning about what goes into meat and dairy, he decided to go vegan the next day. “Health is wealth,” Moore explained.   

Living in Los Angeles, the transition to a plant-based diet wasn’t difficult. “Its not that you miss meat; you want the experience of meat.” The burger from Sage Vegan Bistro cemented this idea for him. He distinctly recalled taking a bite, watching a piece of mango “cheese” fall out, eating it, and being hit by a wave of nostalgia that took him back to eating an animal-based burger. Although no stranger to sacrifice, he was relieved to discover he did not have relinquish the simple pleasures of food on a vegan diet. Vegans don’t have to compromise their comfort for the sake of compassion and health.

Becoming the Vegan Fat Kid

Moore never cooks at home. Ever. The only item in his fridge is almond milk in order to supplement his “coffee addiction.” Five years ago, he did not have a problem finding vegan options, but he kept forgetting where he had his favorite meals (he admits to having an awful memory). Per his friend’s suggestion, Moore created an Instagram account to create “digital breadcrumbs so I could remember where these things were.” His first post was a quinoa porridge bowl from Four Cafe in Highland Park. He is now is just shy of five thousand posts and one hundred and eighty-three thousand followers.

When it came to naming his account, there was no hesitation. As a child, Moore attended an all-boys Catholic Samoan school, and he was the “chubby kid.” He unashamedly recalled a physical education class where he was mocked by his middle school peers as he hung to a pull-up bar, the only student unable to do a single pull-up. Being the “fat kid” is a part of him, but instead of letting this bring him down, he works to use it to his advantage.

Dealing with Body Image

Despite Moore’s impressively muscular physique, he still has to work to overcome his insecurities, just like everyone else. He is fully aware of the negative influences around him.

“LA tells you that you are not enough all the time. Its a tough place to be alright about being alright. I see that as a massive challenge.” To combat the barrage of “you are not enough,” Moore actively pursues the best version of himself, not that guy with the washboard abs on the Equinox billboard.

“Being the best me, and being alright with me, is a life’s pursuit.” He believes that taking an objective look at his physical self through his VFK 90 day challenge gives him “an active role in changing [his] physique instead of an emotional ‘I suck’.”

Thoughts on Social Media

“Social media can be as deep as meaningful as you want, or as shallow and Kardashian as you want. You get to control your feed on Instagram. If you don’t want to see some stuff unfollow that shit. I don’t want to feel like the victim of anything. I believe the universe is on our side; you’re either winning or learning. There’s no losing, only learning.”

So what has Tim learned?

“The enemy of your life is not somebody else’s life. The enemy of my song is not somebody else’s song. The enemy of your taco is not someone else’s taco. If you’re feeling that it is, its saying more about you than its saying about that. Its a hard realization to come to terms with, but as much as I think I am looking at Instagram, Instagram is really looking into me. You think you’re looking into people’s lives, but you’re really learning about your own.”

Personally, he sees Instagram as a net positive, because he has curated a feed that enriches his life for the better. So what’s on his feed? Food, politics, and fitness. We steered clear of the political rabbit hole, but in regard to fitness, Moore is inspired by bodybuilders, especially Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rock. “Everyone should follow The Rock,” he says.

A Day in the Life

“I believe in repetition; I believe in routine. You get good at what you practice.”

Every day, Moore wakes before 5 a.m. for his first cup of coffee and a quick scan of the news. After a pre-workout shake, he’s in the gym by 6:30 a.m, and lifts weights for an hour. After a pit stop to load up on his “veggie reps,” he heads to his recording studio for a good portion of the day, followed by a hefty vegan meal at a restaurant. His go-to? A burrito; he is “one-hundred-percent addicted.” He wraps up his day with a session of planks, then gets to bed early.

At the end of the day, Moore says he is “trying to help people and change people’s lives for the better.” Vegan Fat Kid has evolved far beyond its digital breadcrumbs origins, and even beyond “vegan Yelp” as he called it. Although he is committed to posting food photos, he has shifted his focus to his workout routine.

“I use the gym to plant seeds. Everyone has to go on their own vegan journey, because that’s how it sticks.”

He leads by example, which is why you will always see in him a pro-vegan t-shirt at the gym. He’s a strong believer in t-shirt activism. Recently, a regular at his gym approached him. He told Moore that he had been vegan for the past two months, because Moore’s impressive workouts and vegan t-shirts sparked his curiosity. He did his research and came to the conclusion that plant-based was the way to go. Moore didn’t have to preach a word. You don’t need a pedestal or a bullhorn to influence people, its consistency and results that count.

To encourage others to practice this t-shirt activism, Moore launched his Train Vegan apparel line last Tuesday, August 15th, in collaboration with another vegan Instagram influencer, Vegetaryn. The Classic Line is now available and includes sweatpants, hoodies, and tees for men and women. This is his second project with Vegetaryn; the first was the “#Vegan AF” collection, which is still one of the brand’s top sellers.

According to Moore, Train Vegan has a more focused message:

“Not only can you be the guy that is vegan that is built really well, you can actually build muscle on a vegan diet. I don’t care if you have big arms, bro. If it costs an animal their life, it ain’t worth it. If it costs you your life it isn’t worth it. Its not enough for you get big muscles. Its how you get big muscles thats important for your health and longevity and for the longevity of the planet.”

Looks like the Vegan Fat Kid has more on his mind than where he is going to get his next burrito.

Find Tanya on Instagram and The Vegan Potluck Podcast. 

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All images courtesy of @veganfatkid

The post Beyond the Filter: Instagram Star @VeganFatKid Gets Candid IRL appeared first on EcoSalon.

When you feel like a badass you’ll probably want to sweat it out like one, so we’ve gathered some seriously good looking workout gear that’s guaranteed to keep you warmer during the fall and winter months.

The holidays are nearing, and for some of us that means busier schedules, more stress, and sinfully delicious foods. Plus, I don’t know about you, but cold weather kinda makes me want to hibernate. Unfortunately, this leads to breaking our workout routines, and becoming a little (or a lot) less healthy than we originally planned. And ya know what? That’s okay! Instead of beating yourself up, worrying, or counting every calorie, invest in some badass workout gear that will motivate you to keep your personal goals somewhere near the top of your to-do list. (And hey, even if it doesn’t go as planned, you can always rock the athleisure look while doing a little holiday shopping, right?!)

Not only can you feel good about prioritizing your own fitness needs, but you’ll also enjoy knowing that the companies we’ve chosen our faves from put a lot of thought into how they run their businesses. Each one of these brands puts environment, employees, sustainability, and ethicality first, without sacrificing style or quality.

prAna

This popular brand has always has been about sustainability. With materials like organic cotton, recycled wool, hemp, recycled polyester, and repurposed down, prAna put conscious fabrication first. Fair trade practices, fair labor, and traceability are just a few of the additional characteristics that help this business stand out.

1. Jumpsuit

If you’ve ever wanted to simplify your workout wardrobe, and still look ah-mazing, this jumpsuit, or, as every mom likes to call it, onesie, is simple and so uniquely stylish. Toss on a sweater and sneakers, and you’re ready to sweat it out in the studio.  

2. Pullover

A cozy pullover sweatshirt is a must-have for fall and winter workouts. It’s the perfect transition piece when going from car to gym, or to wear for a jog, a hike, a bike ride, or any other active outdoor adventure.

Merrell

With a great selection of athletic and hiking shoes for vegans, Merrell is thought to believe in sustainability beyond the product itself. From product and packaging sustainability to investing in green initiatives, Merrell cares about the community, as well.

3. Sneakers

This vegan-friendly sneaker is designed for all weather wear, including wet terrain. And the color is a welcome refresher to the usual neutrals seen so often during the season.

4. Joggers

If you’re looking for the type of pant that you can do everything in – workout, run errands, sleep, lounge, and eat your post-exercise Ben and Jerry’s – the search ends here. Great for cooler temps, and obviously versatile, these come highly recommended.

5. Jacket

Snowy white and soft, this hooded fleece jacket is designed with cold weather in mind. Not only does it dry quickly to minimize heat loss, but it also maintains a super lightweight feel and resists pilling. Pair this neutral piece with all of your workout gear.

Inner Waves Organics

This family-owned brand chooses eco-fabrics from sustainable sources that are made with environmentally friendly dyes. All of the clothing is made in America, and the company makes sure to give back through non-profit support and volunteering.

6. Yoga Pants

Whether you do yoga outdoors, in the studio, or at home, these pants are as great to look at as they are to wear. Made from organic cotton, the flare leg bottoms lend a really hip boho flair. Pair with a simple long sleeve top, or a chunky knit.

Rumi X

Utilizing innovative materials to produce striking workout gear is what this business is all about. Materials like coffee grounds and recycled polyester (rPET) are used to create the garments, of which approximately 50 percent less energy is used than with virgin polyester, helping to reduce plastic in the landfills and keep oceans clean.

7. Long Sleeve Top

A long sleeve top is a must for working out in the cold, but this one is on a level all its own. With specialty pockets, breathable mesh sides, a built-in shelf bra, and even thumb holes, this eco-friendly top is totally lust worthy. Designed with yoga, running, pilates, and aerial yoga in mind, this is a versatile and practical choice.

8. Leggings

Thanks to its eye-catching color and design, this beautiful legging is a fun take on sustainable workout gear. Designed with activities like the gym, crossfit, pilates, and barre in mind, you will get a lot of wear (and compliments) out of these pants.

Keep those goals around the holidays this year by investing in some of our top picks in ethical workout gear. Even if you don’t burn any calories, you can at least fend off depression, fight stress, and save your sanity. Let us know what you thought of our roundup on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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Image of Woman in Workout Gear via Rumi X

The post 8 Badass Pieces of Workout Gear That are Both Ethical and Warm appeared first on EcoSalon.

You exercise to relieve stress, stay fit, and maybe even because you like your workout. Did you know exercise can even help to improve skin tone? It’s true! What works and how to fake it ‘til you make it.

As we age, skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, resulting in loose looking skin. Since we’d all like to avoid flabby calves and bat wings for as long as possible, let’s see what we can do to ward off the droop.

Research shows that regular exercise can not only keep you in rockin’ shape, but help to de-age skin too. The reason? When working out, our muscles release proteins. One protein in particular, called IL-15, is responsible for stimulating skin cells, boosting collagen production and cell turnover which makes the skin look and feel younger.

Yes, the only way to get these IL-15 proteins to help you out is through exercise. But there are certain ways to make your skin look more toned along with a good workout routine.

5 Tips on How to Tone Skin

1. Get your cardio on. Yep, exercise is the protein booster that makes skin look younger and research has found that it is cardio, not weight training, that gives the anti-aging effects. Jogging, running, swimming, and cycling are all obvious choices. Not feeling any of those? Try something new and different, like treading water or cardio Pilates.

2. Up the H2O. Dehydrated skin is saggy skin. Follow up your cardio with a big drink of water and aim for eight 8-ounce glasses per day.

3. Lube up. You know how your face seems to liven up after applying moisturizer? Well, the bod needs to stay hydrated too. Caffeine tightens skin and creates a toned effect. Try One Love Organics Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum.

4. Protect yourself. This falls under the prevention category, but is so super important. Properly protecting skin from UV damage will help to ward off wrinkles, sagginess, and spots. Choose a healthy sunscreen that works for you.

5. Body contouring. So you don’t have a regular exercise regimen. Yet. Fake it ‘til you make it with body contouring. You don’t have to go crazy with Kardashian-worthy enhancement. A little nontoxic self tanner works wonders for covering flaws and making skin look firmer.

There you have it. Your plan to firmer, toned, more youthful looking skin. Bottom line? You’re going to need your runners.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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Image of woman running via Shutterstock

The post How To Tone Skin: Workouts and Body Products That Actually Work! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Yoga. Pilates. Yoga. The popularity flip flop between these two forms of exercise is tough to keep up with. When it comes to Pilates vs. yoga there may be quite a few factors to take into consideration.

A longstanding tradition in India, yoga in the West is often looked at as a practice for cross-legged, om-chanting practice for zen minded folk who frequent ashrams. The prevalence of those unmistakably sleek, sculpted arms are a dead giveaway of yoga’s popularity. You can spot someone who practices regularly a mile away.

Then came Pilates. Originally deemed a souped up version of yoga, the workout took off with studios cropping up in yoga studios, gyms, and everywhere in between.

So now the question is: Pilates vs. yoga? Is one better for your body?

While Pilates may not be as popular as yoga, Pilates classes and individual sessions for exercise are still widely popular; and it is also used as a form of physical therapy for some individuals. While reformers (those strappy, table-like contraptions) were the thing at the height of the Pilates craze, some fans think the mat version of the exercise regimen deserves a closer look.

You remember mat Pilates? The class you took to see if you liked it before springing for the more expensive reformer classes? Some Pilates experts feel a mat practice can offer that same intense workout, with the on-the-fly-ness of a yoga practice. Only tools required are a mat and yourself.

So if we are going back to the mat, why not just practice yoga, then? While the two exercises may look similar upfront, there are unique benefits to each.

Pilates is a structured workout with slight variations between classes. While it works the entire body, core is the main focus. Yoga comes in all shapes and sizes, from gentle stretching and peace of mind to intense cardio, and works the larger muscle groups.

If you are looking for flexibility and overall strength in an easily personalized format, yoga is likely for you. If a more structured regimen and sick abs sound right up your alley, give Pilates a try. Even better news…the two work well together. Incorporate some of each into a tailor made practice, or switch out days for benefits of both.

To get started try this mat Pilates workout for any fitness level or check your gym for a reformer class. There are tons of great yoga DVDs out there. Check out this 30 minute classic yoga routine. For a more sweat inducing workout, I love Jillian Michael’s Yoga Meltdown DVD (which you can find at Target).

Do you do Pilates or practice yoga (or both) regularly? What’s your favorite thing about either? We’d love to hear from you!

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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The post Pilates Vs. Yoga: Is There a Perfect Practice? appeared first on EcoSalon.

We search far and wide to find out how to prevent wrinkles. Could exercise be the true fountain of youth?

The latest connection between exercise and skin aging will make you want to cinch up your runners. Not only can it prevent the signs of aging on skin, but actually reverses damage already done.

It’s no secret that as we age our skin takes a landslide. The reason? Our outer layer of skin, called the stratum corneum, becomes thicker and drier. The layer just under this top layer, the dermis, becomes thinner and loses elasticity. These natural stages of skin aging are what cause wrinkling, sagging, dull looking skin often experienced after we hit the big 4-0.

We rub, scrub, pat, and polish in hopes of keeping our youthful complexion intact. Some even resort to more extreme measures of plumping and filling. But have we been overlooking a simpler, much more natural way of anti-aging? What if all we need is a decent pair of kicks and access to a treadmill or the great outdoors to keep skin in tip top shape?

A study by McMaster University in Ontario conducted last year shows that heart pumping exercise has benefits beyond burning calories. Inspired by a previous study on mice that showed promising anti-aging effects due to exercise, the research team put this theory to the test with humans. The scientists brought together male and female volunteers, aged 20-84. The group included individuals who exercised regularly and those who were minimally active. Because they wanted to test skin that had minimal sun exposure, butt cheeks were biopsied and examined under a microscope.

Where age was concerned, the sample results were about as expected. Older folks had thicker outer layers and thinner inner layers than younger volunteers. Then the scientist examined the samples by exercise habits. The results showed that volunteers over 40 who exercised more regularly had much thinner outer layers and thicker inner layers, more similar to those in the 20-30 age group. And some of these were over 65.

Yeah, but could this all be chalked up to exercise? Really??, you may be asking. Well, the research team at McMaster U wanted to know too. So they formed a group of volunteers, 65 and older, who were normally sedentary, and had them begin regular exercise. At the end of three months, the volunteers had new skin biopsies.

And guess what? The skin of these formerly sedentary participants looked pretty darn similar to those of the 20-40 year olds. This is a big deal. It suggests that regular exercise not only keeps skin younger, but can actually reverse signs of aging. Even when started after the age of 65.

How can this be? The answer is not crystal clear, but the researchers have a theory. Myokines, substances that enter the bloodstream when working out, create cellular change. Skin samples of volunteers who began exercising contained almost 50 percent more of these substances than when they were more sedentary. And no, myokine-replicated skin care would likely not produce the same benefits. Getting your sweat on is the only way to get in on this good stuff.

We already knew that regularly working out keeps our body and cardiovascular system in good shape and relieves stress. Now we find out it may actually be better at keeping skin youthful than any cream? That sure moves the daily run to the top of our priorities list.

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Bored with your workout? Your body may be too. Here’s what’s hot in fitness trends for 2015.

If you are no longer seeing the same results from your workout, you’ve most likely plateaued. Performing the same exercise over and over means your body gets used to it and has to expend less energy. Muscles stop responding like they used to and you just aren’t feeling that same burn. Time to switch things up.

Variety is said to be the spice of life and that works with fitness too. Not only will revving up your routine be better for your bod, but doing something new is, let’s face it, a lot more fun.

So what’s it going to be? Following are the 7 Top Fitness Trends for 2015.

#1 // Bodyweight Training. Not just one of the top fitness trends, but forecast as the workout for 2015 by American College of Sports Medicine (the folks who accurately predicted Zumba would be the it workout of 2012). It’s no secret this type of exercise is good for you. Getting back to basics offers hot results with little to no equipment. You already have what you need…your body. Added bonus, you can do this stuff anywhere. We are talking the exercises you learned in gym class: squats, planks, pushups, crunches.

#2 // HIIT. Clocking in at number two is HIIT workouts, or high intensity interval training. This one isn’t for sissies but is definitely the most efficient. You have your cardio and strength training all wrapped into one workout. Scared? Me too. The good news, these workouts are so effective they can be done in mini sessions and still get results. Start with these 10 minutes workouts to burn calories and tone up.

#3 // Treadmill. If this is the machine you’ve been avoiding for years, take a new look. Fitness trends for the year include dusting off the good ol’ treadmill. And it’s getting social. Look for treadmill studios in your area. Like spinning for runners, these classes offer that running group feel but done in the comfort of a gym. And set to music. Actually sounds fun.

#4 // Cardio bars. Speaking of fun, you may be able to take your cardio to a different sort of group setting. Like, the bar. While the thought of cardio at the bar conjures a certain type of sweating, these locales are seriously healthy. Think juice-fueled dance parties, complete with DJ. Burn calories while shaking it with your friends.

#5 // Barre. This one has been creeping up on us for a while. Why hot now? Barre has become more mainstream. No longer the super exclusive, members only setting, Barre workouts are popping up in gyms everywhere. The benefits? Branded the “everywoman’s workout”, its ballet-inspired sculpting moves rival the best yoga practice.

#6 // Tech. Oh yes, workouts have gone digital too. There are tons of cool fitness apps that do everything from help you count calories or steps, to reminders to get moving. Like having a personal trainer in your pocket. Looking for a class but don’t have time to get to the gym? Search workouts online.

#7 // Recovery. Muscles need down time too. Recovery efforts are making a big splash in lots of gym workouts. Training hard is good, just be sure you aren’t setting yourself up for injury. Add in some stretching, massage, yoga, even complete days off from working out. It’s important to give days off to let your body recover, or take a down day when you are feeling under the weather or just worn out. The experts insist.

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ColumnIf we don’t have an appreciation for good food, we can’t live a healthy lifestyle.

Last week I devoured a burrito. And when I say devoured, I mean devoured. It was a breakfast burrito, and at the time it was the best breakfast burrito I had ever tasted. Why? It could have been because it had farm fresh eggs, spinach and sunflower sprouts in it, but mostly it was because I had just gone on an 8-mile trail run.

Sometimes the taste of our food doesn’t really have any relation to the actual food, it’s all about how much our body craves it. Whether it’s a burrito, a bowl of granola or a handful of almonds, if you’re hungry, your body craves it, and that makes it tastes exponentially better.

I was discussing this exact concept with my friend Hilary, and she told me about a recent article she had read called “Is Spinning Making You Fat?”

As active women that are hyper-conscious about body image, the influence of the media, and women’s issues in general we sat and fumed about it. As women, we’re now afraid of workouts because they will make us look fat? Note that “fat” in this case means muscular butts and thighs. Apparently not something to aspire to if you are to believe the mass media.

But then it got worse. Hilary pointed out that the article mentioned a celebrity trainer forbid his models from going to spin class because it made them hungry.

Hilary and I fumed some more. I thought about that tasty burrito I had eaten in my activity-induced state of hunger. This got me thinking about the extremes of our relationships to food.

On one end we have the problem of overeating. Mass consumption of processed food that leads to obesity. Then we have the other end of the spectrum, where the eaters are hyper aware of every single nutrient, every single calorie, every single carb. While they seem so very opposite, they are in fact one in the same, both an indicator of a lack of appreciation of food.

We are meant to eat. We are meant to be hungry when we exert energy. Hunger is a natural state of being. Overeating, however, is not, and either is starving yourself, or choosing your activities based upon how well they allow you to avoid hunger.

If we are to live truly healthy lifestyles we have to find a healthy balance. Eating is fun. Good food is delicious, a way to bring people together. Enjoying it, if we are privileged enough to do so, is a part of life. Not allowing ourselves the pleasure of food is as bad as eating too much of it.

While it’s easy to demonize one extreme and idolize the other – we abhor anything that might make us “fat” in the eyes of society, yet we put those people who stick to extreme workout routines on a pedestal – they are exactly the same thing. We can’t demonize real food. Humans eat. Humans look like humans when they live healthy lifestyles, not like stick, thin runway models. Ever tried to live on a diet of cotton balls like some of those models do? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

We have to appreciate food for food’s sake, because being afraid of it is just as detrimental as enjoying it too much. Mindless eating isn’t good for your health or your soul, and either is being on a strict regime of water and diet pills.

Embrace real, good food and a healthy lifestyle. Find balance. And if your thighs get bigger because you’re doing spin workouts or going on trail runs, then get yourself a breakfast burrito as a reward for being a healthy, active individual.

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This is the latest installment of Anna Brones’ weekly column at EcoSalon: Foodie Underground, an exploration of what’s new and different in the underground movement, and how we make the topic of good food more accessible to everyone. More musings on the topic can be found at www.foodieunderground.com.

Image: Jonathan Lin

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Hot yoga and other high-temp fitness classes are now a big thing – but do they produce big results?

If you’re looking to kick your fitness routine into high gear, consider upping the temperature. Many workout classes now have a hotter equivalent: from hot yoga (often called Bikram yoga) to hot Barre, hot Pilates to hot cycling, you’re sure to find a workout that strikes your fancy. But does the soggy clothing and damp hair really mean you’re burning more calories?

The Hot Yoga Verdict

When it comes to hot yoga and other high-temp workouts, more sweat doesn’t automatically equal more calories burned. “…it’s unlikely that hot yoga burns more calories just because it may raise your heart rate higher,” writes Martica Heaner for MSN Health & Fitness. “In reality, the huffing and puffing and heavy sweating found in many yoga rooms is due to the hot room, not the hot yoga.”

That’s not to say that trying a high-temp workout won’t improve your health and vitality in other ways, of course.

Benefits of Hot Yoga and Other Hot Workouts

Working out in desert-like temperatures has both physical and psychological benefits, so don’t let the fat-burning realities stop you from trying these new fitness regimens.

• When you do hot yoga or other hot workouts, you perceive your workout sesssion as more successful because of the intensity level (i.e. oodles of sweat equals a higher sense of accomplishment).
• The heat relaxes your muscles, making it easier to properly bend and stretch your body. (Stiff muscles in cooler temperatures make you more prone to injury.)
• It’s a cardio and strengthening workout in one: The heat increases your pulse rate and metabolism, which improves circulation and blood flow while you (literally) tone your ass off.
• Whether or not the workout detoxes your body isn’t confirmed. Some experts say your body releases toxins through your pores, while others say your body only sweats to cool off.
• Making it through an intense workout sesh like hot yoga takes you outside of your comfort zone, delivering a confidence boost.
• It improves your discipline, focus and coordination – all the while relieving stress (the heat helps your body relax and improves your breathing).

Are Hot Yoga Workouts Safe?

Anyone wanting to try hot yoga or another hot workout class should master the workout routine in a cool environment first, then acclimate themselves to the heat afterward. Trying to adjust to both simultaneously will inevitably exhaust your body, which could lead to injury. This is especially true for those who are overweight or out of shape (you know, like me), because you’ll be putting added strain on your cardiovascular system.

Even if you are in shape, hot workouts might not be for everyone – there’s always the risk of nausea, headache, dizziness, weakness, and fainting, which go hand-in-hand with such high temperatures. The key is to stay hydrated and listen to your body: If you find the heat to be overwhelming, simply pace yourself, cool off, and stretch. Like with any new workout routine, remain consistent without overdoing it, and your body will strengthen and adjust.

Have you tried hot yoga or other hot workouts? Yay or nay?

Related on EcoSalon:

12 Workouts to Beat Fitness Burnout
4 Gadgets That Let You Workout While At Work
These Google-Powered Adidas Shoes Won’t Let You Skip a Workout

Image: Lynn Redmile

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With most of us already wishing for extra hours in the day, exercise often gets pushed to the back burner. But what if you could get some reps in without leaving your desk?

Exercise is the best way to boost mental and physical wellness, but it takes time, and time is something of a precious commodity these days. Even worse, most jobs today require long hours seated in front of a computer screen, the physiological equivalent of a tranquilizer dart.

CNN reports that sitting for a living can literally take years of your life. They cite a 14-year American Cancer Society study that found women who sat for more than six hours a day were about 40 percent more likely to die during the course of the study than those who sat fewer than three hours per day. Men were about 20 percent more likely to die. Even if sitting doesn’t kill you, it could lead to serious illness. Recent research from the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, Australia demonstrates that prolonged sitting at work raises the risk of dying from cardiac and metabolic diseases.

Frightened by the knowledge of what “taking a seat” is doing to us, a number of active workstation concepts have recently appeared on the market. Here are four gadgets that can help you burn calories and build muscle at work. Even if you’re a freelancer or just a busy parent, these devices could help you squeeze a little exercise into your hectic schedule.

1. Standing Desk

Some research suggests that even working out a few times a week won’t counteract the negative effects of sitting eight hours a day. Standing desks are professional workstations that can support your laptop and phone sans chair. Standing while engages your muscles and keeps your blood circulating well. This in turn keeps your blood sugar better regulated and lowers blood pressure. Even if it feels weird, using a standing desk will put you in some prestigious company. They’ve already been spotted at high profile companies like Google and Facebook.

2. Dumbbell Alarm Clock

They say getting up and moving around once an hour can do wonders to counteract the negative effects of sitting. But it can be hard to remember when you’re facing a deadline or on a long conference call. It may seem like a novelty toy, but this weight-shaped alarm clock by Neewer can help break up your day with a few much-needed reps. When the alarm sounds, only the upward swing of the 1.3 pound dumbbell shuts off the repeating buzz – 30 upward swings of the dumbbell that is – and you can watch your total count down from 30 in the LCD display. It’s not going to give you Michelle Obama arms overnight, but it’s a fun way to get your blood flowing throughout the day.

3. Balance Ball Chair

According to a 2008 study, performing clerical work at a desk while sitting on an exercise ball burns about four more calories an hour than the same activity in a chair, or roughly 30 extra calories in a typical workday. And that figure doesn’t include the additional burn that would come from bouncing or leg lifts, which many users say the balls inspire them to do. But no one wants to accidentally slide of the balance ball while on an important call with the boss, which is why we prefer this balance ball chair, complete with a topple-proof frame and back rest.

4. Mini Under-Desk Stair Stepper

We all love the stair stepper at the gym, but few of us could fathom buying one for our home or office. Now, mini stair stepping machines offer a portable and more affordable alternative. These small machines are ideal for combined use with a standing desk, but can still be used while seated. According to Prevention.com, you can burn around 91 calories with 20 minutes of stepping, and you don’t even have to leave your workspace.

Top image: e skene

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