As the summer heat gives way to cooler fall temperatures, you may wonder if the weather change will affect your workouts. With the day growing shorter and comfort food filling the grocery aisles, it’s easy to slip into bad habits during sweater season. Here are several tips to help keep you on track with your exercise routine this fall:
- Embrace the season. Fall weather provides a comfortable environment to get your heart rate up without overheating during your workout or feeling too chilly as you cool down. Explore nature trails or hiking paths, go for a bike ride, or enjoy a simple stroll around your neighborhood.
- Set realistic expectations. With the holidays right around the corner and the days growing shorter, you may notice you have less time than usual for personal pursuits. Set realistic exercise and fitness expectations that align with your day-to-day responsibilities to avoid feelings of failure.
- Don’t forget your goals. Allowing yourself some flexibility and grace during the fall doesn’t mean forgetting all your health and fitness goals. Pick a couple of objectives that are easy to track, such as logging your food daily or exercising a certain number of days per week.
- Download a food diary app. Manually tracking your calories, macronutrients, and hydration can be tedious. Food apps allow you to scan labels, save common meals, and store favorite recipes to add them to your food diary with ease.
- Reconsider your workout time. If you enjoy being outdoors, you’ve likely been rising early to beat the summer heat. With cooler weather creeping in, you may want to consider shifting your outdoor workouts to during your lunch break or in the evenings after work when the weather is warmer.
- Try a new class. If the cooler weather forces you indoors, you can check with your local gym for new classes to try. If you’d prefer to work out at home, you can participate in live classes by streaming them through your TV. You can also find pre-recorded workouts online to spice up your usual fitness routine.
- Make an at-home workout area. You won’t always have time to make it to the gym for your workout. You don’t need a dedicated home gym to work out from home if you keep a few pieces of exercise equipment on hand. Store a few free weights inside of an ottoman, keep a yoga mat handy in the closet, and push your coffee table aside to exercise from the comfort of your living room.
- Make it a family affair. Involving your loved ones in your new, healthy lifestyle is a great way to stay motivated during the fall. Ask a family member or friend to go for a walk, plan a family hike, or hit the bike trails with a workout buddy.
- Avoid monotony. The shorter days and cooler weather may curtail your usual workout options. However, performing the same workout routines repetitively will lead to boredom. If you incorporate new workout routines, you can keep your mind engaged and focused on your fitness.
- Shop for the season. Grocery stores roll out several new fruits and vegetables in the produce section during the fall. Shopping what’s in season saves you money and expands your flavor palette. Apples, cranberries, and pomegranates are popular fall fruits. Brussels sprouts, squash, and sweet potatoes are excellent seasonal vegetable options.
- Use TV time to exercise. If you have a favorite sitcom, documentary, or other weekly show, use that time to your advantage. Rather than sitting through the program, perform bodyweight exercises or a cardio circuit while watching the TV. Instead of skipping through commercials, use that time to challenge yourself to squats, wall sits, etc., and set a goal to beat the number next week.
The above tips can help you stay on track with your health and fitness routine this fall. However, some people struggle to lose weight despite their best efforts. Contact us to learn if weight loss surgery is right for you.
