How to Stay Fit this Fall

Autumn group events like pumpkin picking, corn mazes, haunted trails and building leaf piles are active options that can also be fun bonding experiences for family and friends. Organize a weekend trip or local get together with an autumn theme and plan to be active.

Get Involved in Community Events

With the fall season comes many holiday themed local fun runs and events. Look in the newspaper for Halloween runs, turkey trots and reindeer romps. According to a 1991 summary report by ERIC Digest, a specific goal such as a race to train for increases adherence to an exercise program. Signing up with friends or family will hold you accountable for completing the training program.

Head to the Trails

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year for getting outside. Grab a friend and find some local parks or trails to walk, run or ride a bike and take in the view of changing leaves. Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, Meadowbrook Park in Urbana and Hessel Park in Champaign are great locations if you are in the Champaign-Urbana area!

Dress for the Weather

When weather gets cooler, it can deter people from going outside to workout. This problem can be mediated by wearing wind-shielding clothing and dressing in layers. Proper attire and accessories (hats, gloves, etc.) that cut down on bulk but still allow for warmth make outdoor fitness more enjoyable as the chill of fall approaches.

Drink Water

Stay hydrated even when the temperatures cool down. People are often less thirsty when it is not hot outside, but staying hydrated is just as important in the fall as it is when the sun is blazing down. When fall rolls around, remember to stay on top of your fluid intake to help with both exercise recovery and appetite control.

Drink Tea

Drink more tea to warm up for the cooler temperatures. Green and black tea contain antioxidants that help ward off diseases during flu season, so you can remain healthy and active as the season shifts.

Avoid Holiday Candy

According the National Institutes of Health, on average, non-obese adults gain about a pound a year around the holidays. In addition to creating unhealthy habits, accumulation of this weight over time can lead to obesity. Be sure to pack lots of healthy snacks 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.

Turn Fall Chores into a Workout

Raking leaves or gardening can burn around 150 calories every 30 minutes. Turn these chores into a game by setting small, achievable goals to help pass time and burn away fat.

Exercise Early in the Day

Try to work out in the morning or during the day. With the time changing and it becoming darker earlier, it can feel as if it is later in the day than it really is. This can make people more tired than usual. Getting into a routine of working out early will guarantee the workout gets done and still allow time in the afternoons and evenings to relax.

Vary Activities

As the weather cools down and summer ends, it can become difficult to stay motivated. Trying variety of different activities and varying workouts will help keep a fresh spin on exercise and allow for confidence to build within a wide range of activities.

What are some of your favorite ways to fit exercise into your fall schedule? How do you stay motivated when the weather gets chillier and the chaos of holidays is upon us?