NEWS YOU CAN USE
COMBINE FITNESS WITH OUTDOOR FUN THIS FALL
This month is an especially wonderful time to add some daily activity to your schedule.
Although the days are still bright and temperatures are warm, there is a notable difference in the air every fall. Sometimes the transition is slow, and sometimes it’s abrupt, but inevitably we crave a bit more structure, organization, and predictability in our days.
Here are some tips to help you keep up with your fitness goals this fall:
- Plan for it. When we write our goals down we have a higher likelihood of achieving them. Add your workout to your calendar, just as you would any other appointment. Set reminders on your phone and pre-pack your gym bag or set out your workout attire ahead of time. Remove any friction between you and your workout!
- Don’t forget your muscles. Adults who do not perform resistance training on a regular basis can expect to lose as much as 3% to 5% of their muscle mass each decade after age 30. The good news is, that can be reversed with a simple, 20-minute routine 2-3 days per week. Invest in an inexpensive pair of dumbbells or a stability ball. There are also plenty of bodyweight exercises that can be modified to make it easier or more challenging, based on your ability.
- Meet your body where it’s at. If you’ve been under a great deal of stress or have taken a long break from regular exercise, remember to ease back into a level of intensity that is manageable for you. Taking a moderate approach is more sustainable and reduces the risk of injury. You’ll progress at a faster rate as your body has time to learn new movement patterns and build strength and conditioning.
Just as the leaves change during fall, we can take inspiration from this season to switch up our exercise routines. Mixing things up can keep fitness interesting and more sustainable in the long term. Plus, the approaching cooler temperatures make it easier to get outside and move our bodies without overheating.
This article highlights a few unique ways to combine fitness with outdoor fun: