When the temperatures start to drop, a lot of people tend to put away their outdoor fitness gear and move their workouts inside for the fall and winter. The cold weather drives many indoors, making gyms busier with those who typically exercise outside. However, it’s a good idea to mix in some outdoor activities with your indoor workouts during the fall.
Firstly, being outdoors is beneficial for your overall health. It can help you avoid gym burnout by adding some variety to your routine. Staying active year-round is important, and outdoor activities can also be a fun way to spend time with your family.
With the holiday season approaching, focusing on exercise is a great way to balance out all the festive food. Being outside not only helps you stay active and get some much-needed vitamin D, but it’s also good for your mental health and helps you stay connected with the world around you.
Many people struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the colder months. Spending time outdoors can help you soak up the limited sunlight available and release endorphins that counteract SAD symptoms.
If you’re looking to add an outdoor activity to your fall fitness plan, consider something simple like taking the dog for a walk. While it may not be an intense workout, it gets you outside to enjoy both physical and mental health benefits.
Sticking strictly to indoor workouts might mean spending nearly half the year working out in the same place, which can lead to gym burnout. Mixing in outdoor activities can keep your routine fresh and engaging, preventing feelings of boredom and lack of motivation.
Try replacing some of your indoor exercises with outdoor ones from time to time. For example, take your cardio outside by going for a run to switch up your scenery and avoid burnout.
Every season offers something unique, so find activities you love in each one. By doing this, you’ll have more workout options and can stay active all year long—not just during the warmer months.
Exercising with a target heart rate of around 140 beats per minute ensures you’re working hard, and there are plenty of ways to reach this goal. Discovering your favorite activity for each season might take some trial and error. You might enjoy swimming in the summer, bike riding in the spring, snowshoeing in the winter, and hiking in the fall.
Incorporating outdoor activities into your fitness plan can also double as family time. While you might not take your kids to the gym, you can definitely take them hiking, kayaking, or biking. Even non-traditional workouts done outside can keep you active and teach your children to appreciate the outdoors.
With rising obesity rates and the prevalence of processed foods and sedentary technology, encouraging a love for the outdoors is highly beneficial for your kids’ overall health. Leading by example is an excellent way to instill an active lifestyle in them.
Another reason to include outdoor activities in your fall fitness regime is to counteract the holiday eating that starts in autumn and runs through winter. While gym workouts can help, being outside often encourages more movement. First comes Halloween candy, then Thanksgiving feasts, and finally Christmas goodies. Extra activity can help you balance out these indulgent foods.
A fun way to stay active in the fall is by participating in themed races like Halloween costume runs, Thanksgiving 5Ks, and Christmas-themed races. These events can keep you motivated and focused on your fitness goals during the holiday season.
Having a fall fitness plan is a smart move. As cooler temperatures and comfort foods make hibernation tempting, it’s important to stay motivated in your fitness journey. However, this doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time in the gym. By incorporating outdoor activities into your plan, you can boost your mental health, prevent gym burnout, learn new hobbies, spend quality time with family, and manage holiday eating better.