Goodbye Summer - Hello Autumn

Goodbye Summer – Hello Autumn

Autumn is here, and although it’s always sad to have to say goodbye to the long days of Summer, there’s also something invigorating about the cool, crisp air the new season brings which can breathe new life into your exercise routine.

Take your Exercise Outside

During the Summer months heat and humidity can make outdoor exercise harder. Autumn, on the other hand, can offer some of the best weather conditions for exercising outdoors of the whole year.

It can be a challenge to find the time to get outdoors to exercise when there are fewer daylight hours, but challenge is at the heart of staying fit, particularly with the long days of Winter ahead. So getting started now can help you to generate enough momentum to make it through the coming seasons without putting on weight.

Here are some great ways to get outside for new season fitness:

Walking

Never underestimate the benefits of walking, even for those who would usually run. It’s a great way to get more movement into your day, and with cooler weather you don’t have to worry about sweating as much so, even if you haven’t got time to go for a long walk, it will be a great source of what I call ‘incidental’ exercise.

But for the times when you are able to get out for a longer walk, all you really need is a good pair of walking shoes or boots, and a jacket to keep you warm and dry. The key to making it enjoyable is to try to make it a daily habit, for example:

  • Walk every day when you get home from work, or at night after dinner.
  • Get up 10 minutes early and start your day with a brisk walk around the block. Use the time to think about what you want to accomplish and make your to-do list.
  • Get to work a few minutes early and do a few laps around the car park.

Hiking

Of course, this is a different kind of walking, and is great exercise particularly if you’re able to add elevation which works your heart, lungs, and leg musculature.

Reasons to add Hiking to your Exercise:

  • It works multiple areas of fitness: Strengthening leg muscles and increasing cardio endurance – particularly if you do it on an incline.
  • It works multiple muscles: Hiking up and down even small inclines involves the glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves, and core.
  • It gets you outside: If you’re like most people, you spend a lot of your day inside working, hiking will help you to clear your head and to realise there is a world outside.
  • Hiking is great Autumn exercise: Not only is the weather perfect for hiking, but also for seeing the colours changing.

Running

Rounding off the top Autumn activities is running. It’s my favourite time of year to run because it’s not too hot and not too cold, and the colours are beautiful.

The key to making this time of year comfortable for running is to dress in layers. You may also need to factor in some high viz.

So, embrace the new season; get outside to exercise whenever you can and make the most of the beauty and light Autumn has to offer.

 

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