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They say the key to adopting exercise into our everyday lives is consistency. Well, I will tell you, I consistently put off exercising. While there are definitely days I prefer to sit on the couch at lunchtime, watching Netflix and waiting for an Uber Eats delivery, over the last few weeks I’ve made small, conscious decisions to create a new routine for myself.
Part of this new found motivation has to do with Nike Master trainer Emily Hutchins and her easy 5-day workout routine. And, because here at The Wellness Feed we are always looking for ways to inspire our readers to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle, we also reached out to Kiran Jade, founder of Wolven, a brand that is fighting fast fashion with their sustainable, yet sexy, garments. So, while you reinvigorate yourself and improve your health with your consistent exercise rituals, you can also make it eco-friendly too.
Reinvigorate with Expert Motivation
To help inspire some new motivation I reached out to Nike master trainer and founder of On Your Mark Studios, Emily Hutchins. With over 15 years of experience, Emily’s passion began as a young athlete, inspired by her coaches. “They had a huge impact on my health and discipline, and now I get to have that same impact on the wellness of others.”
Emily’s training philosophy centers around four foundational principles; function, endurance, athleticism and recovery. These four areas can help guide your 5-day workout routine to help you achieve your goal, whether that is weight loss, increasing muscle or simply to feel good and have fun. For mobility, core and endurance, Emily’s go-to exercise is a walkout plank. For endurance, and a hint of nostalgia of your childhood, try jumping jacks. And if you’re looking to turn up your exercise game, try your feet at a speed ladder.
In a time where we need to prioritize our health and wellness, exercise can help us to lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease while maintaining a healthy weight. Also, daily exercise does more than improving our physical health. “Training, for even 30 minutes, is the ultimate mood booster. Working out naturally boosts specific hormones to influence a positive mindset,” said Emily. Exercise also increases blood circulation to the brain and releases endorphins in the body, helping to relieve stress and anxiety and increase energy levels.
Adapting My Wellness Routine
While these three exercises are a great place to start, it can still feel a bit daunting. I asked Emily what tips she had for people looking to get back into their exercise routines. “It’s important to do your research,” she said, “and to remember your performance might be a little low compared to 6 months ago. Don’t attempt to jump back in, take small steps to get back to where you were and respect the process.” Exercising from home can seem impossible and limited too. I mean, there’s only so many exercises you can do with wine bottles or cans of soup. Emily’s answer is to train with a trainer. “There are thousands of online options. While that may be overwhelming, I would encourage virtual training with a consistent source for accountability and reliability.”
Feeling inspired, I started my workout routine with 30 minute walks at least 3 times a week. It forced me outside, and I would usually leave my phone behind in order to give myself a break from technology. After a week or two, I felt more energized and excited to progress further. I now exercise almost every day, with a mix of strength, running and core exercises, and have also added in the RSP Amino Lean supplement to help boost my body’s energy levels before most of my workouts. I just add 1-2 scoops into water and drink 20 minutes before I plan to workout, and it has helped me to get the most out of my workouts.
Yes, You Can Make Your Exercise Routine Sustainable
As far as Wolven founder Kiran Jade is concerned, “If you’re a fashion brand in 2020, you should be moving towards sustainability. There is absolutely no excuse to not be a sustainable brand.” That is why Wolven prides themselves on creating products using certified Recycled P.E.T fabric (RPET), a fabric made from post-consumer materials, as well as avoiding harmful and toxic chemicals, both for their customers and the environment. “There is so much technology out there being developed to clean up all aspects of the garment manufacturing process,” said Kiran, “It is our generation’s responsibility to strive to protect our planet so that it is habitable for generations to come.”
Kiran founded Wolven at the young age of 22, inspired by her Eastern heritage and the “beautiful geometric patterns found in Hindu mandalas and Islamic architecture, and the colors found in Indian textiles.” While attending the Art Center College of Design, she wanted to “find a way to merge all of her favorite things — art, yoga, fashion, and sustainability.” Yet, Kiran’s awareness of the world of sustainability started long before her college days. For her, she discovered sustainability through food. At just 10 years old she remembers helping her dad tend to his organic backyard garden and talking about the importance of food and where it comes from. “I started to understand at a young age that the food we eat is produced somewhere else and requires heavily on the Earth’s resources. For me, sustainability, environmentalism, and animal agriculture are all intertwined.”
And… Why Not Make A Plastic-Free Pledge Too?
With fashion being one of the highest polluting industries on the planet, Kiran is devoted to having a positive impact on the sustainability community. “We are a proud member of 1% for the Planet, which means that our carbon-footprint is offset by investments in projects like reforestation and we contribute at least 1% of our annual sales to organizations that are fighting to save the planet.” Also, for every sale made, Wolven removes one pound of waste from the ocean. Kiran also spoke about the importance of canceling our own personal plastic use. “The reality is that our world is full of plastic and it can be hard to avoid, but making a conscious effort to be more aware of the single-use plastic items we’re using and finding reusable alternatives is a great place to start.”
It’s all about making conscious decisions everyday, thinking about those choices, and understanding the implications of your choices.
“Maintaining a healthy relationship to your choices is so important.” These wise words that Kiran left us with ring true in every aspect of the world we find ourselves in today. As we make those conscious steps to improving our exercise rituals and mental health, we can also boost those feel-good responses with Wolven’s sexy products that heal the world too.