Fall is a great time to start a fitness routine.
It may be hard to believe but August is almost over. With darker evenings, and dropping temperatures, it’s a sure sign that summer is almost gone and fall is just around the corner.
If your summer was anything like mine, it’s was full of fun in the sun and relaxing activities.
With the changing of the season comes a time to rethink and restart your health and fitness routine.
Fall is the perfect time to get active and start a regular fitness routine to keep fit and healthy through the holidays and upcoming winter months of colds and flu
The cooler weather in autumn naturally draws people outside for exercise. It is finally cool and comfortable enough to get out and there are many easy ways to get your fall exercise.
Here are some outdoor ideas for exercising in the fall
Walking and hiking: Walking doesn’t cost you anything, and it is something you can do at anytime and anywhere.
• Try incorporating a walk at your lunchtime break.
• Park farther away in the parking lot.
• Take your dog for a walk.
• Meet your neighbours or friends for a stroll in the park.
• Check out new walking trails, hiking and nature paths in your city.
Gardening and picking fruit: From weeding, to raking and cleaning up your garden beds etc., gardening will give you a good workout as you work all of your major muscle groups.
Go to a u-pick orchard and between the walking around the orchard, climbing and reaching, you will get a good upper and lower body workout.
Lawn bowling, bocce and other outdoor games: Invite friends and neighbours for a picnic and games in the park.
Biking: Find safe biking trails and make it a family activity. Bike with the grandkids.
Turn your bike ride into an outing for a day and carry along a picnic.
Volunteer work: Offer to gather and bag leaves for an elderly relative, friend or neighbour.
• Join in, or start up, a community clean-up campaign at the local park, sidewalks or streets.
• Organize or volunteer to join in on an autumn run to raise contributions for a local charity.
Perhaps your preference is not outdoor exercise?
Check out your local recreation or seniors’ center for activities and group fitness classes, including low-impact aerobics, carpet bowling, and warm water exercise programs.
As a certified personal trainer/instructor specializing in seniors fitness, I offer home and gym strength-training programs and personal training; fibrofit water exercise classes (for those with arthritis, fibromyalgia and other inflammatory diseases) in a 90-degree heated, salt-water pool; outdoor boot camp classes; osteofit classes (a fall-prevention fitness program for those with osteoporosis and risk of falling) and nutritional coaching.
Don’t forget overall health and fitness includes exercise and healthy eating.
There is no shortage, as autumn offers a vast variety of healthy, colourful seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy.
Commit to be fit this fall.
