Fall Doesn’t Have to Mean Hibernation

Fall Doesn’t Have to Mean Hibernation

Now that fall is officially here, there’s a tendency to want to stay on the couch with a blanket and a warm drink until spring. The days are darker, the weather is cooler and that often causes people to slow down and spend more time sitting and less time exercising. While no one is saying that you can’t have a day or two here and there to relax at home with a warm cup of tea, hibernating until spring isn’t a good idea for your health.

It’s important to stay productive and active, even during colder months. Here are a few tips for doing just that.

Set Specific Goals

Part of the reason that people get into a slump is because they don’t have goals, or that the goals they do have aren’t specific enough. For example, saying “I want to lose weight” or “I want to exercise more” isn’t effective because there is no way to measure if you are accomplishing this goal. This can cause you to lose motivation.

Instead, say something like “I want to lose ten pounds” or “I want to exercise for 30 minutes each day.” These goals give you something specific to work towards and measure your progress against.

Have a Schedule

Once you have your goals, set a schedule that will help you achieve them. By writing down your plans and specific dates and times that you’re going to work on reaching your goals, you’ll be much more likely to get up and get going.

Work Out at Home

If you’re worried about the cold weather and don’t want to go outside to exercise or to hit the gym, don’t be! You don’t need to go outside in order to exercise. There are a number of great exercises that you can do from the comfort of your own home. You can even incorporate exercise into your household activities, such as doing push-ups during commercial breaks, for example.

Dress in Layers Outside

When you do venture outside, dress in layers. Fall weather can be unpredictable. This is especially true if you’re exercising outside. You might start your workout bundled up from the cold but, as you exercise, you’ll likely warm up and need to shed layers. Dressing in layers allows you to add on or remove a layer in order to adapt to changing temperatures without getting too hot or too cold.

Stay Hydrated

Stay hydrated while exercising is important, no matter the season. You might pay less attention to drinking water when the temperatures are cooler, but that can be dangerous. It’s just as important to stay hydrated during the colder months as it is during the summer.