What goes into staying fit and healthy can come out bad for the environment. That’s right, what you do that’s good for your body may be bad for the earth. Take a look at how you can help the earth while you’re helping firm or feed your body. As you move into fitness and health in 2008, here’s what you can do to go green.

• Work out in clothes that work for the earth. Nylon. Lycra. Flannel. They’re great and all, but bamboo can be found in massive quantities. What’s that got to do with working out clothes? We’ve found the most comfortable clothes on the planet, and guess what they’re made of… bamboo. Take the “Supernatural Bamboo T-shirt” from Arbor. It’s made from a blend of bamboo and organic cotton. THIS IS the softest clothing ever made. The bamboo attributes create a material that is softer and more breathable than fabric made from cotton alone. It wicks moisture, is naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. But the best part of wearing clothing made from bamboo is that bamboo is the greenest, most renewable material available. Check out Tactics.com/Arbor for more information or to order yours.

• Change your bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs). Use CFL bulbs and convince your gym to start using them too. CFL bulbs can last five years and use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. And if having three way switches and dimmers has been keeping you from using CFL bulbs, rejoice! Greenlite, Westinghouse, Maxlite and GE have recently begun manufacturing dimmable CFLs and CFLs designed for three-way switches. Now there’s no excuse for using regular, energy hogging bulbs. Replace your whole house eco-friendly CFLs. (And convince your gym to do the same!)

• Buy products with Energy Star ratings as often as possible, and replace any products you can afford to with Energy Star products. You’ve seen it on washers and dryers at places like Home Depot and Lowes. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy formed to help us save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. This voluntary labeling program was designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products. Such endeavors help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Star products are the same or better as similar products but use less energy which saves everyone money, and saves our poor earth addition drain on its resources. So how do you know which products carry the Energy Star label? Determine if any of the products you need can be replaced with an Energy Star product. Start with your washer and dryer – if you need a new one of either, be sure that its replacement is Energy Star rated before you buy. And before you buy any of the following products, log onto EnergyStar.gov to see if the product you want is available as an Energy Star rated product.

• It’s better to sweat anyway. Turn off your AC this spring. We know it’s going to get hot this spring. Ever hear of global warming? But did you know by using less air conditioning you can lower your electric bill? Event just three degrees can result in massive savings.

• This seems obvious, but try to buy a fuel efficient vehicle or rely on rail travel if at all possible. In Los Angeles, you don’t see Leonardo DiCaprio driving a Hummer. He drives a Prius. So do actresses like Mary McNeill and Cameron Diaz. The perks are many, including the fact that several states are now giving Prius owners carpool lane privileges. If you live in Charlotte, park and ride the light rail. It’s a great way to get Uptown and home without wasting gas. Now that’s what we call VIP travel.

• Walk the walk. Don’t just run your life away on a treadmills that uses electricity. One or more days a week, get out of your gym comfort zone and walk the many trails available in Charlotte. The Queen City has tons of great walking, biking and running trails to keep you busy and fit for hours on end.  Plus, the Vitamin D you’ll get from just being outside is of enormous benefit.

Cold weather energy and safety tips from National Geographic’s Green Guide

• Carpool. The fewer the vehicles, the safer the roads.
• Scrape snow and ice off all windows, mirrors and lights, as well as the hood, the roof and around the tires. Piled snow can be very heavy, and increased weight reduces fuel economy.
• Check the tire's air pressure. When the temperature is low, tires lose pressure more rapidly. The lower the air pressure, the lower the fuel efficiency.
• Plan the route before starting the engine, aiming for the shortest distance with the least hills.
• Warm up the engine on the road, not in the driveway. Idling for a prolonged period wastes fuel. An engine block warmer will save time and gas by keeping your engine warm during frigid nights.
• Lights. Turn them on no matter time of day it is.
• Allow ample time for the trip, drive below the speed limit, and remain a distance of three car lengths behind the vehicle in front. Break gently to avoid skidding.
• If possible, park in a heated garage to avoid cold starts.

Energy Star Products

Appliances
Battery Chargers
Clothes Washers
Dehumidifiers
Dishwashers
Refrigerators & Freezers
Room AC
Room Air Cleaners
Water Coolers
Heating & Cooling
Air-source Heat Pumps
Boilers
Central AC
Ceiling Fans
Dehumidifiers
Furnaces
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Home Sealing (Insulation)
Light Commercial
Programmable Thermostats
Room AC
Ventilating Fans
Roof Products
Windows, Doors, & Skylights
Home Electronics
Battery Charging Systems
Cordless Phones
Combination Units
Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes (DTAs)
DVD Products
External Power Adapters

Home Audio
Televisions
VCRs

Office Equipment
Computers
Copiers and Fax Machines
Digital Duplicators
Notebook Computers/Tablet PCs
Mailing Machines
External Power Adapters
Monitors
Printers, Scanners, and All-in-Ones
Lighting
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Residential Light Fixtures
Ceiling Fans
Exit Signs

Commercial Food Service
Commercial Dishwashers
Commercial Fryers
Commercial Hot Food Holding Cabinets
Commercial Ice Machines
Commercial Solid Door Refrigerators & Freezers
Commercial Steam Cookers