Toward Keeping Our Planet Fit

This issue marks the first time Fitness Journal has taken a deep dive into matters of planet sustainability and the action steps fitness professionals can take to effect change within their ecosystems.

While some leaders in the industry have made great strides to become carbon neutral with their businesses, many of us may feel we’re late to the conversation. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to join in.

Why—and why now? Human health is inextricably linked to planet health. The more we understand how our behavior impacts the planet—in terms of climate change, renewable resources, waste reduction, responsible sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and healthy and sustainable oceans, the better of a chance we have to improve human health.

We are all tied to the earth in a symbiotic rhythm that manifests the planet’s suffering in her inhabitants. When Mama isn’t happy, no one else is either. We rely on each other for nurturing, feeding and protection. Humans haven’t exactly been a stellar partner in this deal, but we’re learning more, creating solutions and improving as we go. As with physical activity and compound interest, consistent 1% improvements in planet health will yield incredible outcomes over time.

Likewise, our food choices—what we eat, what we serve our families and how we source it—influence human and planet health. For example, most climate scientists agree that forgoing red meat even 1 day per week would cut global emissions significantly. You don’t have to go vegetarian or vegan: Simply commit to dropping meat out of the rotation for 1 day or even one meal per week. If just two of the positive effects are to give Earth a break while we give our bodies a plant-based health boost, why wouldn’t we at least try to make this small, 1% habit change?

Because we are all dedicated to inspiring the world to fitness, we must also be inspired to keep our world fit by taking a hard look at the way we run our facilities from an environmental standpoint—and what we model and message for clients. What small changes can we make every day that will add up to massive impact over time?

We invite you to read the two main CEC feature pieces in the issue, absorb what others are doing to create change, and get excited about the possibilities. What are the innovative ways you are leading your clients and your facility closer to carbon neutrality? Please share your stories with me at content@ideafit.com. I’d love to hear what you’re doing.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a happier, healthier place!

Sandy Todd Webster

Editor in Chief

@sandytoddwebster

@fitnesseditor

@ideafit