When 36-year-old Andy Duran decided to return to his favorite high school hobby-skateboarding— in January 2021，the only problem he expected to run into was his own ability to get back into the sport after the long break. However, the 340-pound skateboarder from Oakland, California, soon realized that was the least of his problems.

Duran’s problems began before he even stepped on a skateboard. “I couldn’t find any resources (资源) for fat skaters, what types of boards to try, or where to buy branded (名牌的) shirts in sizes 2XL or 3XL,” he says.

What Duran did find instead was an unfounded belief that fat people should not be skating. “I started to find people who were saying that if you’ re over 190 pounds you shouldn’t be on a skateboard, or that the board won’t support you,” he says.

Determined to do something to change that, Duran founded Chub Rollz— a skating and skateboarding community for overweight skaters. “If you feel like your size makes you feel uncomfortable about skating with others, you are welcome to skate with us,” Duran says.

Duran created a list of recommended (推荐的) products for fat skaters. He also held skating and skateboarding classes to teach beginners. He received a lot of messages from strangers expressing gratitude. “This means so much to me; I didn’t think I could skate,” said one. “A person at the skate shop laughed at me, but this club makes me feel like I can still do it,” wrote another.

Though encouraged, Duran believes a lot more needs to be done to change the idea that fat bodies can’t do and aren’t interested in the activity. He thinks that is simply not true. “I want to see more changes in communities. Maybe skate shops have more training for creating a more welcoming environment for all types of skaters or boards to be made in different sizes,” he explains.

Looking for a fun Earth Day activity? You may want to try plogging, or picking up litter while jogging. Strange as it may sound, the new “sport” is becoming popular with runners worldwide? many of whom are posting photos of themselves and friends holding bags of trash on social media.

Plogging is the idea of Erik Alstrom. In 2016 , after moving to Stockholm in northern Sweden, Alstrom showed concern over the amount of trash on the road during his daily bike ride to work. Thus, he began plogging during his daily runs.

Other joggers soon joined Alstrom, and the activity became so popular that official “plogging” events started all across Sweden. As plogging became popular on social media, the new “sport” began to spread beyond Sweden, first to other European countries and then worldwide.

The official online “Plogga" group now includes members from over 40 countries, all the way from United States cities like Ohio to Thailand and Ecuador. Many school running clubs are also getting in on the action to encourage people, staging competitions that reward the runners with the heaviest trash bags.

As it turns out, plogging is not only good for the environment but also a healthy way to exercise. According to Swedish fitness app Lifesun, an average person burns about 288 calories while plogging for half an hour. This is about 50 calories more than he/she would burn when just jogging. Additionally, the constant squatting (蹲) to pick up litter increases the plogger’s flexibility, while lugging (费力地拖) around the increasingly heavy garbage bags helps strengthen his/her arm muscles.

On this Earth Day, be sure to put on your running shoes, carry a trash bag or two, and go plogging. Or better still, start a plogging team at school, or around your neighborhood, and make every day Earth Day!

Group exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve physical fitness and sustain (保持) a healthy lifestyle. Group exercise is challenging, yet fun! Of course everyone knows that exercise is good for the body. However, studies have shown that when exercise is performed in groups, it’s not only great for improving physical health but for mental health. It’s an opportunity to be social and improve your strength. Additionally, group exercise creates a community (团体) feel and the shared common goal inspire people to work hard.

Another beneficial aspect of group exercise is the informational support people receive from the instructor. Many people fear the gym because they feel lost and don’t want to embarrass themselves. If you feel that way, then group training is an even better option (选择)for you. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about fitness through the clear instruction of a fitness instructor. If you’re tired of wandering around the gym wasting time and becoming bored, you can attend an upbeat group fitness class that will keep your workout on track (正轨). Don’t let fitness frighten you!

If you’re serious about wanting to live a healthy lifestyle, it’s extremely important to surround yourself with people who’ll provide you with the proper emotional support. Surround yourself with people who encourage and understand you! Make fitness even more fun by trying something new or any group fitness class with a friend. Plan to go for a jog together. Then try a fun healthy restaurant or fresh juice bar! Fitness can be both fun and social!

Surrounding yourself with people who’ll provide you with respect support can be very beneficial while working towards reaching health and fitness goals. First, decide to do it for yourself and work towards staying positive. Then make sure the people you surround yourself with are supportive.