The Clean Lean

With spring right around the corner, sweater weather is soon to become shorts-and-T-shirt weather, and with that, plenty more people will start trickling outside to meet and woo.

That’s why, besides the longer days of more sunshine, gym membership is up like it’s New Year’s all over again.

So whether you’re a dude working on those abs, a girl working on that butt, or you don’t confine to gender labels and you’re working on whatever part of your bod you wish to be at its best, there’s one thing in common on in all your minds: Ya gotta look good for the summer.

And what better way to attract a fellow workout enthusiast at your favorite fitness center than to be healthy?

Personally, as a vegetarian and a self-proclaimed environmentalist, I’m cognizant of the nutritional values and facts of what I put into my body, and being (moderately) concerned about fitness, I know there are better ways to your workout besides eating pesticide-laden meat after driving to the gym and drinking a power-shake full of mysterious chemicals marketed “good for you.”

I don’t mean to yuck anyone’s yum here; I condone the gym and being in shape. I think it’s a meditative and good practice we should all be aware of. However, I find it imperative to point out that the combination of contributing to climate change (even if you drive a hybrid), contributing to the factory-farm food industry, and contributing to the perpetuation of lab-made chemicals in our food is not the right way to do so.

Here’s the deal:
It’s advised by health officials to avoid jogging in the early morning next to traffic — which, by the way, is the best and healthiest time to jog — because the excess of vehicular carbon emissions is extremely unhealthy to breathe.

Eating meat as your protein intake, which we all know is important when working out or exercising, is to pump yourself full of hormones and additives which, in my opinion, are bad for you. (Yes, I know that argument is controversial.)

Drinking protein supplements that are marketed as healthy does not make them so. For instance, whey protein supposedly contains “no banned substances,” but that’s because the FDA hasn’t banned xanthan gum, a pretty mysterious chemical found in many foods these days. I can go on about every ingredient in these powders, but I won’t.

So, you want some better options? Bike or walk to the gym. Form a bond with someone in the beautiful, upcoming months and carpool. Eat leafy greens for protein; they have a surprising amount of protein and tastes delicious. You’re a guy, they even fight erectile dysfunction. Lastly, throw out the whey powder and try Maca powder, the Peruvian superfood. I know it’s all the hype right now, but seriously: Even though it smells a little funny, it has so many of the health benefits you’re looking for in your workout supplement including B6 vitamins, iron, copper, and (oh!) more protein. Not only that, Maca powder will boost your sex drive too.

Join the crowds and get in shape within the next following months, and try it the cleaner, more health-conscious way.