We should do this!

Hi!
Would you amp up your physical activity if you knew it was helping someone else?

I typically say to people that although I would love to move my body to give you benefit, exercise is something you have to do for yourself.

The ultimate in self-care.

Yet, I just learned about an amazing community of runners who look beyond themselves and help others while they run.

You may ask, how do they do that?

Well, let me tell you about GoodGym. It is a London-based organization that combines running and community service projects. Groups of runners come together and set off on their runs to a destination. At the destination the runners are put to task on something that would help or improve the community.

How cool is that?!

Some projects include visiting isolated older adults in their homes (quick mid-run break to chat to someone who's main form of contact is their TV), fixing up disheveled gardens and planting new flowers, and stopping in on a construction site to sand down some doors before they need to be painted.

The purpose driven runs provide the runners with a social interaction (physically distance, I'm sure), a sense of service and a major boost of accomplishment not only for themselves but for others.

Their tagline is…

Holy Guacamole! How amazing is this?

Point of order and challenge to you.

How can you serve someone else in your community while you move your body?

Here are three other suggestions to consider! Some super easy to implement and others taking a bit more planning and effort. What are you up for?
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1. Charity Miles​

- App on your phone that tracks your walk/run and assigns a dollar amount to your total distance You choose who to donate your mileage dollars to, usually a recognizable charity such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
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2. Capital City Clean Up (*Updated: We've got at least a foot of snow yesterday so this might need to wait until Spring)

- In my community, Edmonton, you can go out and volunteer to clean up garbage in your neighbourhood. Don't live in Edmonton, check with your city about how you can contribute to a cleaner city.

3. Local Food Bank​

- Inquire about sorting donations at your local food bank. It can be a very physical workout with all the canned goods! Trust me, I've done it!
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Got some other ideas? I'd love to learn what you came up with and I'll share them in a future email newsletter! Simply comment below!

We are 'moving' into the giving season. How can you give while you move your body?

Stay well and happy moving,
Lisa