10 Tips For Fall Fitness

Halloween is what I have coined “the kick-off of diet killer season.” Poor eating and food overload begins in October on Halloween, then comes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. You attend parties that involve a plethora of junk food: punch, cookies, rich cakes and pies, candy, pizza, adult beverages, breads, diet killers everywhere you turn. That summer body you worked so hard for takes a beating. Before you know it, you are right back where you started – Square 1.

Just because over-eating and sugar have always been holiday traditions doesn’t mean you can't break the traditions. Make some changes in your household. This is the most important time of the year to stay motivated and on track with your diet, exercise, and motivation.

Diet Tips

#1 – Healthy Holiday Feasts

The holidays are no excuse to blow your diet and all the hard work you have put in for the past few months. Plan ahead so you can prepare tasty, health-conscious dishes. Search Pinterest and create a new healthy holiday food board.

Make the recipes for your immediate family ahead of time to find the crowd pleasers.

Then plan to treat your holiday guests to a well-though-out, three course meal and serve it that way so no one is on to your healthy (evil) plan.

1. Begin with filler food – a scrumptious green salad and a refreshing, minty green tea. Fill their bellies with some fiber first.

2. Next is the main entrée – Turkey is always a healthy choice, but find a healthier stuffing recipe. Serve fancy greens like asparagus and limit breads.

3. Finally the dessert - There are tons of healthy(ier) options out there. If you don’t tell anyone dessert is made with Stevia, they will probably never know nor complain.

#2 – You Are Not Going To Hibernate; You Are Not A Grizzly

We tend to eat larger meals and more comforting “fatty” foods when the weather gets cold. This is a meal plan for bears before they nap for the winter. You are not a grizzly bear! You do not need to store additional fat for the winter.

Stick with smaller meals throughout your day and make the healthy choices. You have layers of clothes to keep you warm. Who needs the fat???

#3 – Brew Healthy Teas

Tea can warm the heart and soul during the fall. Find new flavors and drink up. Tea is full of antioxidants which are great for you. Added bonus: you’ll be less inclined to pour in creamer and other additives.

If you become a tea connoisseur, you might learn the art of brewing tea and love it for its natural flavor, unhindered by sweeteners. Might I suggest Darjeeling tea – the champagne of teas!

READ 7 Genius Workout Motivation Tips

Motivation Tips

#4 - Try Laser-Lipo Or Cool-Scultping To Kick Start Fat Loss For Some Motivation

Body sculpting using the latest technology is all the rage!

You may think you can’t afford cool-body sculpting or laser liposuction, non-invasive and painless ways to rid your body of fat, but have you checked Groupon lately? You can purchase sessions for rather cheap. It could be your Christmas present!

Give your body a jump-start. Then you have one more reason to diet and exercise! You just invested in body sculpting, and spending money equals ownership. Own it! Get to the gym to keep those fat cells screamsing.

#5 - Refuse To Buy New, Larger “Comfee” Clothes

My at home coach, aka my husband, has recommended that I not purchase new larger clothing or purchase one-piece swim suits because that makes it easier to put on weight, hide it, and ignore the problem.

At first I was upset about his advice, and then it made perfect sense. The message is to strive to stay the same size and not let weight creep up on you. If you are uncomfortable in your clothes, it is better to diet back down by being conscientious about what you are eating. It may also be a sign to ramp up your cardio.

Use your current clothing as motivation.

#6 – Bribe Yourself

Have you been eyeing new gym gear, maybe something that you think is a bit pricy, so you haven’t bought it? It could be new Nikes or wearable technology or just new tights.

Whatever it is, make a deal with yourself. Set a weekly or monthly goal. If you attain it, your new gear will be your “treat” for being so good. Don’t use food as a reward. Buy yourself something nice that will also encourage more gym visits.

Working Out Is For Physical and Mental Health In The Fall

Fitness Tips

#7 – Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) With Exercise

Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD or “winter blues”, is a form of depression that occurs when the seasons change. Symptoms such as moodiness and depression usually begin during the fall and last for months. It literally sucks the life out of you.

John M. Grohol, Psy.D. says that one hour of outdoor exercise is proven to combat SAD as effectively as 2.5 hours of light therapy, the main treatment for SAD. Not only are you getting light therapy from the all-powerful sun, but exercise boosts your mood from the release of “feel-good” endorphins.

Take part in sledding, ice skating, running or walking and enjoy life.

#8 - Enjoy Working Out In The Great Outdoors

Fall ushers in cool and pleasant temperatures that make outdoor exercise enjoyable. Don’t get lazy and try to stay bundled on the couch. Take advantage of the weather. Break out the bike or the Saucony running shoes because you should put mega miles on your fall gear during the most pleasant season of the year. Just make sure you plan to workouts before the daylight wanes.

#9 – Have A Back Up Plan

Fall weather can be unpredictable. You may have wanted to do an outdoor run, but the weather put a damper on your plans. Go to Plan B! Have a back-up plan scheduled at your local gym. Know the schedule of classes or create your own weight-training workout. Always tote your gym bag.

You won’t miss your daily dose of exercise if you plan for the worst.

READ Motivational Tips To Keep You Healthy And Working Out

#10 – Think Outside The Box, Try Something New

When the weather just gets too cold and you’re tired of your gym routine, get out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Indoor Suggestions:

• Kickboxing
• Zumba
• Yoga
• Workout DVDs (from home)
• Peloton – Indoor cycling that you can stream online into your home (no DVD required)
• Pole dancing
• Indoor rock climbing
• Roller skating – or join a roller derby team if you are extreme
• Dance classes
• Martial arts

Don’t start back on Square 1.

Live this fall to the fullest; don’t let fall fat live on you. Come January 1^st, you will not have a resolution to lose weight because you were disciplined all year long. You will have to come up with different resolutions to better your life and maybe up the ante on your fitness goals.