Also published on GET Out! Canada Blog - September 2013
September is often a time for change, a time for transition. Kids are going back to school, grown-ups are getting back into their adult routines. For some people undertaking even small-scale changes, like a change of daily routine, can lead to both mental and physical stress.
"Finding time" for fitness may seem impossible to fit into a schedule and add in the increasing loss of sunlight as the days go by and next thing you know, another year has passed without any action taken on your fitness goals.
To help you never Fall OUT of fitness, here are 5 effective ways to keep active with the change in season:
1 - Get Involved in Community Races: Sign up for a community run/walk event this Fall. There are even a few holiday-themed fun runs that can be found in community papers or on the internet (e.g. google 'reindeer runs'). Not only do they help raise funds or awareness for a good cause, but they help keep you accountable and motivated to get your workout on.
2 - Take an Indoor Group Fitness Program: Toronto has tons of activities to offer from Zumba, to pole dancing, to kickboxing, to various types of bootcamps. Gather a group of friends or co-workers and sign up for something that interests you. If your friends are couch potatoes than leave 'em behind and go make new friends.
3 - Head to the Trails: Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year for exploring our many parks and trails. A short drive out of town to view the changing leaves can be the perfect opportunity for a vigorous hike. Just make sure to dress for the weather (layers are the best way to go) and embrace the seasonal beauty.
4 - Turn Fall Chores into a Workout: If you have a yard and a tree (or a friend with one) then it can be an opportunity to multitask and get your chores done while having a great 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 the time and burn away fat.
5 - Roll with the Change
Pay attention to how your body shifts with the season, the time change, and the amount of sunlight--then adjust your workouts accordingly. If it becomes harder to wake yourself up at 6am for that run, then give yourself permission to be more in tune with Mother Nature and arrange another time or activity that works better for your body.
To sum up, making fitness apart of your lifestyle means that your workouts can change in form and in content along with the season. Pat yourself on the back for not equating fitness with the "prep-for-summer" trend.
September is often a time for change, a time for transition. Kids are going back to school, grown-ups are getting back into their adult routines. For some people undertaking even small-scale changes, like a change of daily routine, can lead to both mental and physical stress.
"Finding time" for fitness may seem impossible to fit into a schedule and add in the increasing loss of sunlight as the days go by and next thing you know, another year has passed without any action taken on your fitness goals.
To help you never Fall OUT of fitness, here are 5 effective ways to keep active with the change in season:
1 - Get Involved in Community Races: Sign up for a community run/walk event this Fall. There are even a few holiday-themed fun runs that can be found in community papers or on the internet (e.g. google 'reindeer runs'). Not only do they help raise funds or awareness for a good cause, but they help keep you accountable and motivated to get your workout on.
2 - Take an Indoor Group Fitness Program: Toronto has tons of activities to offer from Zumba, to pole dancing, to kickboxing, to various types of bootcamps. Gather a group of friends or co-workers and sign up for something that interests you. If your friends are couch potatoes than leave 'em behind and go make new friends.
3 - Head to the Trails: Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year for exploring our many parks and trails. A short drive out of town to view the changing leaves can be the perfect opportunity for a vigorous hike. Just make sure to dress for the weather (layers are the best way to go) and embrace the seasonal beauty.
4 - Turn Fall Chores into a Workout: If you have a yard and a tree (or a friend with one) then it can be an opportunity to multitask and get your chores done while having a great 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 the time and burn away fat.
5 - Roll with the Change
Pay attention to how your body shifts with the season, the time change, and the amount of sunlight--then adjust your workouts accordingly. If it becomes harder to wake yourself up at 6am for that run, then give yourself permission to be more in tune with Mother Nature and arrange another time or activity that works better for your body.
To sum up, making fitness apart of your lifestyle means that your workouts can change in form and in content along with the season. Pat yourself on the back for not equating fitness with the "prep-for-summer" trend.
