Fall into Fitness
Can you feel it? Ready or not, fall has arrived. The leaves are starting to turn, it’s getting darker earlier and you can feel the crispness in the air. Looking on the bright side, there’s so many outdoor activities to enjoy this time of year.
The upcoming holiday season is approaching quickly. With it comes temptations that can easily make us fall off the fitness wagon. Supermarket shelves are already stocked with Halloween candy, magazines are filled with Thanksgiving recipe ideas, and there’s pumpkin spiced everything everywhere we go.
Fall is a great time to start a fitness program because you’re going to create good habits for the holiday season and the upcoming winter months. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the season and stay fit. Below are just a few!
Stay Active While Watching TV
Many people get geared up for fall premieres of their favorite television shows. I know I do! If you’re going to sit down and watch hours of TV, get moving.
While you watch, you can walk in place, do squats, or lift weights. During commercials, do push-ups, planks or crunches. You’d be surprised at how much you can get done during commercial breaks!
Go the Extra Mile
If you’re spending the afternoon taking kids to soccer practice, instead of reading a book or visiting with another parent, walk around the outside of the field.
You can also park farther away from your destination, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or take a walk on your lunch break.
Consider the 30-Day Rule
It takes about four weeks for the body to adapt to lifestyle changes. That’s why people who give up on their fitness programs tend to do so within the first thirty days.
So, when the alarm goes off in the morning, don’t roll over and hit the snooze button. Get up and get moving!
Find Your Motivation
People are motivated by different things. It’s important to first discover what your individual goals are, whether it’s losing a few pounds, putting on some muscle, or preparing for an upcoming event.
Choose something you’ll enjoy doing and you are most likely to stick with, whether it’s walking or hiking with a friend, working with a trainer, or taking part in a group fitness class.
Drink Lots of Water
People often feel less thirsty when the temperatures starts to drop, but staying hydrated is just as important in the fall as it is when the warmer weather is here. When fall rolls around, remember to stay on top of your fluid intake to help with digestion, exercise recovery and appetite control.
Avoid Holiday Candy
There’s no doubt that it’s easy to put on a few pounds around the holidays. In addition to creating unhealthy habits, accumulation of this weight can over time lead to obesity. Make sure you pack lots of healthy snack options to munch on throughout the day to help deter you from grazing on sweets that pop up in the office, at home or at holiday parties.
Take Advantage of Autumn Activities
Autumn group events like hiking, apple picking and corn mazes are just a few of the active options the season has to offer that can also be a fun bonding experience for family and friends. Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year for getting outside! So, grab a friend and find some local parks or trails to walk, run or bike.
Sign Up for a Fun Run
With the fall season comes many holiday-themed fun runs and events. Look in the newspaper or online for costumed Halloween runs, Thanksgiving turkey trots and reindeer romps. Training for a specific goal like a race increases the likelihood that you’ll actually stick to an exercise program. Signing up with friends or family is another great way to keep yourself accountable along the way.
Turn Fall Chores Into a Workout
According to Harvard Health, a one hundred and fifty-five-pound person can burn one hundred and forty-nine calories by raking leaves for thirty minutes. Outdoor chores can be a great way to enjoy the season, get the heart pumping and burn extra calories.
Exercise Earlier in the Day
Try to exercise in the morning or during the day. With the time changing and the sun setting earlier, it can feel as though it’s later in the day than it really is. This can make you more tired than usual. Getting into a routine of working out early will guarantee the workout gets done and still allow time later in the day to relax.
Take Your Workout Indoors
As the weather cools down it can become difficult to stay motivated. This would be a good time to shop around for a local gym. Trying a variety of different indoor activities and varying your workouts will help keep a fresh spin on exercise. Group fitness classes are a great way to meet people with similar fitness goals and stay motivated.
Be Realistic About Your Schedule
With the holiday season in full swing, your schedule will fill up quickly. If you know you’re going to a lot of holiday gatherings and family outings, don’t commit to hours at the gym. Be honest with yourself about how much time you can realistically devote to working out each week.
In Conclusion:
We’re all busy; that’s just part of our lives. You have to start planning exercise, just like you do everything else. Put it on the calendar, and make the commitment because later will turn into never.
Fall is a super season for shaping up. So, get out and get moving! With the change of seasons comes a renewed time to rethink and restart. Good luck to you.
