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As the days grow shorter and the cold winds of winter start to blow in (still waiting, George), summer’s end is almost here. With fall approaching, many people are beginning to settle back into their day-to-day routines. Kids are returning to school, camping gear is being packed away, and fewer trips to the patios are freeing up more time in the day. While some may have enjoyed the summer a bit too much, this time of year often motivates many to refocus on their fitness goals.
To help you gear up for the fall fitness season, I’ve put together a few tips to make it easier for you to get on track and see some impressive results along the way.
Re-Establish A Routine
Humans are creatures of habit, and when you’re working on your fitness routine, you need to establish a routine to make life easier. This can involve setting specific days for your workouts, deciding when to prepare your meals, or simply starting to carry around a water bottle to stay hydrated.
When setting up your routine, don’t get carried away with too many changes all at once. Pick a few manageable tasks that you know you can complete, and build up confidence in your ability to follow through. As these tasks become routine, add another habit you want to work on, and continue to build a new lifestyle for yourself. You’ll be a new person in just a few months.
To help your mindset in creating new routines, read my previous blog on Consistency versus Intensity.
Fixed Time for Fall Fitness
Playing off the last point, it’s important to set aside a defined time in your schedule to get physical activity in. As the old saying goes, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” Life gets busy, and if your fitness plan is to fit in a workout when you can, unfortunately, you’re not going to find the time to fit it in. You have to make time for your workouts (which is harder than it sounds if you’re not used to it).
You need to view your workout time as non-negotiable. This is your most important meeting of the day, and there is no one else who can fill in for you. No one else can work on your health except you. Put your workouts in your daily schedule, and plan your meetings, events, and social situations around them. Is that a bit intense to start off? Sure, but you need to establish consistency and habits right from the start. If you allow yourself to move things around, push things off, and let your workouts become a secondary priority, you’ll fall off the wagon again.
As I mentioned about re-establishing a routine, start small and build from there. You’d be surprised by how much you can improve by just working out twice a week.
If you’re looking for a structured workout program to follow and get you started on the right track, click here for my FREE Fresh Start Fitness Program
Try Something New
With the start of a new season, why not try something new in your fitness routine? Far too often we get stuck in the monotony of doing the same workouts over and over again. This can make things boring, difficult to see progress, and hard to stick with long term. You may not love everything you try, but you might find something you really enjoy. Try Spin Class, Yoga, Pilates, Climbing, or any other form of exercise you haven’t tried yet.
This can be an excellent social outing with friends, or even a way to meet new people.
Far too often in life we get bogged down with the day-to-day habits we have, and don’t break out of our comfort zone. So, as you prepare for the fall – why not try something new and exciting?
PS – many fitness studios will have some sort of fall promotion for you to try their services for a discounted price too, which never hurts!
Get Outdoors… While You Still Can
In my experience as a personal trainer, I’ve noticed that many people get stuck in the mindset that, to be active, they need to go to the gym.
That is simply false!
Living an active lifestyle is about much more than lifting weights for a few hours a week. It’s about incorporating activity into your life in many different ways, and one great way to do that is by getting outdoors.
The summer might be too hot, and the winter might be too cold, but fall is usually just the right temperature to get outside. It’s a great time to get on your bike, lace up your shoes for a run, or squeeze in the last few rounds at the golf course before the snow falls.
Finding time to go to the park, kick a ball around with the kids, or plug in your favourite podcast while going for a walk are all amazing ways to add extra activity to your daily routine without having to go to the gym, or to supplement your activity on rest days.
Not only does getting outdoors inspire more activity, but it can also be amazing for your mental health, creativity, and stress relief. Removing the distractions of television and social media can do wonders for your brain and overall well-being. It can be incredibly freeing to disconnect for a few minutes each day.
The temperature will drop soon, so get out while you still can!
The changing of the seasons always brings a new energy with it. As the leaves change colour and the days get shorter, use that new energy to get back into your fitness groove. 2024 isn’t over yet, and there’s still plenty of time to reach your fitness goals.
If you’re struggling on your fitness journey, or getting started – book a free consultation here or learn more about Customized Online Coaching
Choose To Live Your Life To The Fullest,
Rich, Owner & Personal Trainer – RK Athletics
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