Autumn is a great time of year-it brings cool weather, beautiful scenery, holidays, warm drinks, seasonal foods, and you name it! Unfortunately, it is also a time in which people tend to avoid or decrease their fall workouts. While we love to spend quality time with our loved ones and cuddle up to the warmth of fires, this isn’t going to help burn any calories or meet fitness goals! Here are fail-proof tips to help you stay on track and meet those goals!
Tip #1: Get your fall workouts done first
We all know you want to cozy up next to the fire with a cup of coffee or tea. But treat yourself after you’ve completed your exercise session for the day! This will ensure that you get a workout in, rather than letting the couch get the best of you.
Tip #2: Prepare for the changing weather
While the autumn season brings beautiful hues of color to our scenery, the fall weather can be unpredictable. Rain, snow, cold or warm, you never know what Mother Nature will bring. For days when the weather decides not to cooperate, keep some exercise DVDs, resistance bands, or free weights handy to keep your fall workouts consistent!
Tip #3: Curb your carbs
As we all know, the fall holidays bring us many amazing food choices, most of which are sugar filled carbs. These foods come in many forms- cute little Halloween candies, pumpkin pies, cakes, rolls, bread, and you name it. Instead of reaching for those simple, calorie dense carbs, try choosing more complex carbs such as whole-wheat rolls, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and Ezekiel bread. Carb cravings can increase throughout the day, so make sure to keep your protein intake at an adequate level. Aim to include one protein source with every meal, as it helps muscle development and can help curb appetite and unnecessary cravings.
Tip #4: Don’t get stuck in the big baggy sweatshirt club!
Yes, it is fall and we all love to stay warm and bust out the sweaters and sweatpants, but don’t let wearing these clothes take you away from your workouts! Wearing warm, but form-fitting clothes will not only keep you warm, but allow you to see the positive results from being consistent with your fall workouts. Invest in a good thermal or pair of workout pants – there’s nothing like looking good and being warm!
Tip #5:Take advantage of the beautiful scenery and exercise outside!
Go for a run, hike, bike ride, go pumpkin picking, apple picking, canoeing, or kayaking. Shoveling leaves and jumping in the pile also makes for a fun way to be fit! There are so many ways to remain active during the fall and reach your fitness goals!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angela Moebius is a Personal Trainer at XSport Fitness Alexandria, VA