Gym memberships surge in the weeks following the Holiday Season as people evaluate waistlines and recent resolutions. With bathing suit weather a few months there’s plenty of motivation to get your beach body back. Then summer arrives with longer days and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Soon the days are shorter, t-shirts and shorts are exchanged for jeans and sweaters and more time is spent indoors. This is a recipe for slacking off, for exercising less, and eating more. But a few fitness tips can help you fend of the extra inches. With some discipline and some planning, autumn is the perfect time to rededicate yourself to your healthy habits.
Be Realistic
It’s not just you – it just isn’t as easy to stay in shape after the summer sun has faded away and the drive-thru signs flash at you in the fading light. There’s no point in denying it can be tough sometimes, but you have to be on guard and make the right choices. Being realistic also means admitting you’re not a machine. Occasionally you have to allow yourself to skip a workout and have another beer – keyword “occasionally.”
Review Your Eating Habits
Fruit bowls and tossed salads go great with your summer cookouts, but these dishes can get crowded out by casseroles, hot chocolate and pumpkin pie. It’s OK to make these choices once in a while. However, you must be willing to recommit yourself to your healthier habits. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round these days so grab some greens along with the apple cider donuts.
Make the Extra Effort
Confront the issue head- on and commit to making some changes. Instead of making excuses about why its OK to binge watch the latest season of “House Of Cards,” use some of your valuable time to perform a calisthenics circuit or pop in an exercise DVD. You could even choose to embrace the season and take up snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The point is you have to make an effort to break out of your routine and embrace your commitment to fitness.
Give Yourself a Break
Transitioning from summer fun to a busy fall schedule can be a challenge with kids going back to school and not to mention leave raking and holiday shopping. No matter what your particular challenges are, it’s important to remember fitness is marathon, not a sprint. Take a week or ten days off from training to rejuvenate body and mind. Take some walks and do some easy stretching and you’ll be ready to tackle your workouts with renewed vigor.
It’s Always Summer – Somewhere
If you find yourself getting too far off track you can explore some warm weather options to give yourself a boost. Take a long weekend in Florida and run in a local 5K or make time for a quick trip to California to give your beach body a few days at the beach. The point is to enjoy the sunshine, even if its only for a couple of days – it’ll remind you that these fitness tips have a purpose.
Guest Writer,
Mike Phelps
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