Altruism and Fitness: Raven the Kitchen Witch's Top Five Ways to Get Fit While Giving Back!

      Hey friends! Raven here, and today I'm going to chat a bit about charity and my top 5 ways you can help yourself to help others. Altruism is one of the best ways next to a clean diet and regular workouts to feel good about yourself and to proactively help yourself and the world around you. Remember to give year round and not just on Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, and you not only get the feel-goods all year but you can really make a big difference in the lives of others (and in your own, if you believe that you get what you give which your humble author indeed believes). Here are the top five ways to burn fat while nurturing your soul.

1. Race for the _____ (fill in the blank).

      Ok so it's an obvious choice, but 5ks and marathons like Race for the Cure are excellent ways to donate to the cause of your choice and also participate in a physical activity. Win-win! Events like the Color Run looks super fun and different too, and it can be a great way to meet other do-gooders in your community that are also into fitness. I know I can't have enough people of that description in my world!

2. Charity Miles (and other charity fitness apps, there are a few - take your pick!).

            Charity Miles is my favorite new app from 2016. They are available free on Droid and I phone and they have sponsors such as Johnson & Johnson that donate money to a cause OF YOUR CHOICE for every mile you walk/run. They can even track treadmill/indoor miles! They have a huge list of choices for charities. Everything from Habitat for Humanity, to the National Wildlife Organization (one of my faves to donate to), Wounded Warrior, Operation Smile, and many more.

3. Beachbody Challenge Groups

            Challenge groups are really cool! A bunch of people sign up, and if you meet the requirements for the challenge you get paid! So does everyone else that meets the requirements. This changes lives because it supports, motivates, and encourages this awesome community of people who care about their health to keep pushing play and keep eating clean.  It also helps foster revenue in all the areas the super foods of Shakeology are outsourced from. The company touches lives across the globe and any support toward their superfood shakes helps enrich these lives with better resources and that is again a big win-win. Getting paid for getting fit and healthy is a pretty cool perk, too.

4. Recycle.

            Ok so this one might not seem like such a huge deal when it comes to fitness, but in my city we have to pay extra for a recycling bin, or we have to get in our car and go recycle our items ourselves (or on our bikes, or walk, etc). The act of separating and carrying the recyclables is activity and it is immensely important and good for the planet. Why recycling is not mandatory everywhere I'm not sure. It may not be charity on the scale that number one and two are, or even three - but I think it deserves a spot on this list because of it's importance combined with the light activity required to get it done.

5. Community Garden

            My community always has a garden in the spring summer and fall that people in the neighborhood are welcome to help work on and tend, and that is donated to needy families. There are lots of gardens like this around! Dig your hands into the earth and give back to your community while nurturing your soul and the planet. Such a great way to get some altruism and activity simultaneously.

            There are probably tons of other ways you can give while also physically helping yourself as well, so please feel free to comment below with your ideas! Also if you've tried any of these, feel free to share your experiences with them as well. I'd love to hear from you!