It’s all very well to make lifestyle changes, as we all do, in January, but what happens later in the year when your New Year’s plans have dissipated and you’re no healthier or fitter? The best way to get fit is to exercise regularly, and the most important thing to do in order to maintain your motivation is to mix up your routine and keep things interesting. People often find that their exercise programme falls flat in Autumn and Winter, when outdoor exercises become more difficult. But actually, Autumn can be really great for helping you create an interesting and fun exercise programme which will see you maintain healthy habits throughout the festive seasons. In fact, September, for many people with children, can be seen as a New Year in itself – so what better time to pick up your habits from earlier in the year and get healthy?
Take advantage of the weather
The Autumn months are wonderful for all the senses, with beautiful colours on the foliage, the crisp breezes and the array of healthy fruits and vegetables coming into season. There’s never been a better time to get outdoors and experience these changes for yourself whilst exercising. Walking, hiking and biking through your local area are all great activities to enjoy in the Autumn and also a great way to discover local park trails and take in new scenery. If you live near a beach, why not take the dog for a scenic stroll or go to play volleyball with your friends? Because the beaches are less busy during this time of year, it’s an ideal place to exercise as you won’t have to fight the crowds. Why not take to the waters for kayaking or canoeing?
Think outside the box
You don’t have to treat exercise as the usual gym session and a jog around the block – why don’t you try something new? Anything that gets your heart rate up is great as a form of exercise, so why not think outside the box and try a new skill such as tap dancing or learn to box? There are often new classes to make the most of during Autumn at local gyms, so you could enquire as to what is starting in your area. These classes are ideal as a way of getting fit, trying something new and meeting new people, as well as having fun!
Be an active TV watcher
Autumn is often a time when we gear up for the new series or premiers of exciting new shows and films on the TV. So why not make the most of this time and get moving while you’re watching? While you’re watching TV with your family or friends, you can still be keeping active – you just need to be creative. You can walk or run on the spot, do standing lunges, tricep dips off the edge of the sofa, or even lift weights. If you don’t want to miss what’s going on, you can always limit your exercises to the advert breaks – any exercise is better than none.
Integrate exercise into your life
If creating a dedicated exercise programme is too much for you, you can find ways to integrate exercise into your lifestyle as a way of burning calories and keeping fit. Try parking further away from your destination so you need to walk a little further to get to where you need to be, or walk around the edge of the field when you’re watching your kids play football.
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