Despite a nearly daily regimen of workouts — from biking to weight training — and a diet rich in veggies and fish, Sierra Club director Jeff Mikulina doesn't admit to any particular obsession with fitness.

"I just like to stay active, and I'm conscious about what I eat," said the 32-year-old Manoa resident, "for environmental and health reasons."

With his only vices being coffee and Clif Bars, Mikulina lives a healthier lifestyle than most thirtysomethings, avoiding greasy plate lunches and biking to work most days of the week.

Still, he'll shrug off the suggestion that he might be seen as the embodiment, so to speak, of Sierra Club ideals.

"I don't feel like I'm really a role model for fitness," he said. "I'm not into any competitive sports. ... I'd love to do a triathlon — if it weren't for the run and swim."

ORGANIC AND LOCAL

Mikulina credits his Wisconsin upbringing with shaping his healthy habits.

His parents, who were avid recyclers, grew their own fruits and vegetables and shopped at food co-ops. His home was well stocked with fruits and vegetables.

Maybe, if he was lucky, he'd get to eat a sugary cereal for breakfast once a month.

"At the time, of course, I thought it was cruel and unusual," he said. "But I really appreciate it in hindsight."

Today, Mikulina rarely indulges in overly unhealthy snacks, opting to eat vegetarian sandwiches over Big Macs.

That's not to say he doesn't have the occasional splurge. Cold Stone Creamery ice cream is a weakness he can't fully explain.

But for the most part, he sticks to the healthful basics: fruits, veggies, fish and lean meats.

Organic and local?

Even better.

"I realize now, of course, that all of this just happens to be better for our environment," said Mikulina, who's finishing up a master's degree in engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Eating local foods and lower on the food chain really reduces your footprint on the planet."

SIERRA CLUB MISSION

Growing up, Mikulina went everywhere on his bike.

"If I wanted to go somewhere or do something, it was probably going to be by bicycle," he said. "But I loved it. It was the ultimate freedom."

His attitude didn't change when he moved to Hawai'i in 1998 to take the job as director of the Sierra Club's local chapter. In fact, he figured with the state's tropical climate and spectacular views, commuting by bike would be a welcome escape from highways and morning traffic.

He was surprised to learn that the state wasn't as bike- and pedestrian-friendly as he had figured — or hoped.

"Unfortunately, we still cater to the car for everything," said Mikulina, who does own a car but prefers to bike whenever possible. "Because of that, we've become one of the more dangerous places for walking and biking. ... You're better off in the jungle of New York than the crosswalks of Waipahu."

Making Honolulu more accessible — and safer — for bicyclists and pedestrians has become a key issue for the Sierra Club's Hawai'i Chapter, along with clean energy, recycling and biodiversity.

So when Mikulina's not lobbying at the Capitol, drafting policies, researching global climate change, or working on his master's thesis — he also plays drums in a funk band — he's making healthy choices that reflect his philosophy on life.

"Treating your body right is a lot like protecting the environment," he said. "We only get one, so better take care of it."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.