FALL gives us the first taste of cooler air after a steamy summer; the plants begin to change in appearance. While vibrant autumn colors bloom throughout the country in the fall, pockets of trees around the area produce spectacular views.
If only we could capture the beauty of autumn and hold it to our hearts all year long. In many parts of the world, autumn is a near-sacred season, with its warm, sunny days, cool evenings and postcard perfect colors.
Get outside and enjoy the season by bicycling, walking, hiking, jogging, and playing golf and tennis. Explore parks in your area; find a new bike path through the woods, take a walk around a lake. The time spent out in nature will do as much good for your mind as for your body.
Here are a few tips to take into consideration so that you can enjoy what this time of year has
to offer.
Capture the moment: Time, or the lack of it, is often cited as the biggest challenge to sustaining an exercise regimen. Your workout doesn't have to take a lot of time. Even a half hour walking in your neighborhood pays off in increased energy and stamina. Most health-club aerobics classes are just an hour long, yet offer big fitness dividends. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family.
Try something new : Indoor enthusiasts can take advantage of new activities, such as
weight training, cardio boxing, stair climbing, or elliptical machines. If you change your exercise regimen, start slowly and gradually increase the intensity, duration and frequency
of your workout.
Return to your club or gym : It takes 30 days to make fitness a habit, and supplementing outdoor exercise with increasingly frequent visits to your health club will help diversify your exercise regimen and set the stage for regular workouts once autumn's leaves have fallen.
A well-rounded fitness regimen is important. While aerobic activity such as running or bicycling is good for your heart, resistance training is also a critical component of a balanced program, so be sure to take advantage of your club's weight lifting equipment.
Make it social : Boredom is the number one killer of good health and fitness regimens. Exercising with a friend puts the fun back into your workout. Find a friend with a similar fitness level and goals; having a partner helps you both stay motivated. You can use your exercise time to catch up on each other's lives.
Diet - Add all the fall vegetables to your diet. Many of the root vegetables are in season now and are an inexpensive and nutritious way to add variety to your diet.