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10 Tips for your Fall Workout
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 we will be graced with the presence of the Autumn Season. The days will become shorter, and the nights will be longer. We’ll notice the foliage start to change colors, and even begin to fall off of the trees. But we also know what the autumn means…. It’s time to Fall into Fitness! Here are 10 Tips for your Fall Workout:
Take a Hike
Usually, when you hear the term “Take a hike,” someone is trying to get rid of you. In this case, we really mean take a hike! Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit the outdoors. Get together with a few friends and walk the trails, or do a few laps in a local park. It’s a calm and refreshing exercise, and the changing of the leaves provides a sight to see.
Dress Weather Appropriate
Fall usually produces cooler weather. For some, this is a reason to stay indoors. The cooler temperatures can easily be combated by dressing in weather appropriate workout gear that includes layers that can be taken off and on to help regulate temperature.
Stay Hydrated
We can never over-stress how important it is to stay properly hydrated. If you really want to spice things up, add in cucumber, lemon or limes to your water bottle. This will help to prevent adding on water weight.
Allow Time for Proper Recovery
Over exercising can actually cause more harm than good. Allow yourself the proper recovery time and reduce your risk of damaging your muscle tissue, or even sustaining a more serious injury. Be sure to alternate muscle groups or body parts in your exercise sessions.
Warm Up
Take time to warm up your muscles before starting your workout, as cold muscles do not perform as well as muscles that have been warmed up. A proper warm up will also decrease your risk of injury. Perform your warm up indoors and allow the blood to flow to your muscles. Once you hit the autumn air, your muscles will be warmed up and ready to go.
Wear Reflective Clothing
Because sunrise comes later and sunset comes earlier during fall months, you’ll benefit from wearing reflective clothing while exercising outdoors. Reflective clothing allows others to notice you, and prevent possible accidents. This is especially true if you are a runner or jogger, as motorist may notice you too late.
Ride a Bike
Fall is a great time to get outside and ride a bike. Get over to the closest cycling store for new bikes, and get the family together for an excursion around the neighborhood. This encourages family time, fitness, and healthy living all at the same time.
Get Sleep
When autumn arrives, the days getting shorter and our internal clocks are sometimes off. Because of this, we want to make sure we do our best to get into a normal sleep schedule. Each night’s rest should be between 7-8 hours, if possible. A good night’s sleep will set the tone for your workouts, nutrition and mood throughout the remainder of the new day.
Use the TV as Motivation
Fall is a popular time of year for TV fans since many networks debut new series and seasons. However, you do not have to risk your workout for your favorite TV show. During commercial breaks, squeeze in a fitness routine. You have options from jumping jacks, to push-ups, to squats and lunges, or even planks. Try doing one or two during each commercial break and you’ll have a nice little workout session under your belt, while staying up-to-date on your shows. September 15, 2015 Beth Hartman