January might be the traditional month for new resolutions and health commitments, but why wait when autumn has so much to offer?
WHO doesn’t love that “new start” feeling that comes with the end of summer? The new stationery, the fresh academic diary…and a chance to reset your health and fitness goals. Below, we reveal how to seize the end of the summer season to focus on yourself, reset your health goals and discover why autumn is the best month to start getting fit – and how starting now might set you up for success in the coming months:
- Bring your feel-good factor into your new routine
When we come back from our time away, even if we’re dreading returning to work, we’re still full of serotonin (our happy hormone) from those heady days of relaxation and fun. And you know what else helps us to produce serotine? Exercise. So capitalise on feeling relaxed and refreshed from your jollies, and rest assured that you can extend that by working out or creating meditation routines that will set up each day for success.
- It’s light enough still to exercise outside
When it’s cold, wet and miserable, the tendency is to finish work and then bid a hasty retreat back home to lie snuggled on the sofa. But at the moment, it’s still pretty warm and light when most of us leave at the end of the day. So, use that to your advantage – walk/jog home (or at least part of it). That way, you’re saving money on travel and you’re getting fit. And if solo fitness isn’t your thing, why not join our running club? Running is a fantastic exercise for getting fit, relearning skills and making new mates. View more here.
- Everyone’s back in a routine
Back in summer, your gym plans were maybe interrupted by group chats suggesting post-work cocktails in beer gardens, bank holiday weekends and vacations. But now that it’s nearly autumn, everyone’s back to the grindstone which means fewer distractions and a more concrete routine. If you need help structuring a new wellness plan within the workplace or in your personal life, drop me a quick message. We’ll be able to inject energy and focus into your work routine after the holidays in no time.
- Starting now will make for a better January
If you start getting fit and healthy now, imagine how self-satisfied you’ll feel come in the new year when you’ll simply be dealing with a little Christmas excess rather than starting from the bottom. By Christmas, you’ll feel so different that you probably won’t be tempted to go overboard anyway. While no one should diet during the festive season, there’s no reason to eat your weight in mince pieces and eggnog just because it’s there.
- Bulletproof your body for the winter
Even with the best intentions, it is easy to hibernate in winter. For starters, having the heating cranked up high makes you sleepy and less likely to move. So make sure to stay hydrated throughout your day. If it’s too cold, this will make you want to eat more to keep warm. If you feel your motivation waning when it’s cold, remind yourself that keeping active is more – not less – important than in the summer. Very commonly, health issues such as flus and chest infections arise during the winter time. To help combat these issues, keep moving and eating as much winter vegetables and fruits as possible. Doing so, it allows our immune system to function to the best of its abilities to prevent winter bugs.
Although most of us know what works best for us when it comes to exercise and nutrition, we sometimes stray from our health ‘plan’ at some point or another. The challenge for most of us is to get back on track with momentum once we’re ready to return to our most effective program. When we fall out of the daily habit of consistent discipline, it can make even the idea of it feel unattainable and overwhelming. This is why we recommend to stay active everyday even if only for 5 minutes at a time. But, the change of season can also spark a renewed time to rethink and create healthy new habits. By the first week of September, people will be coming back from their holidays and trying to get back into routines. Balance your hibernation season with small lifestyle changes. If you’re unsure about how to get started with your pre-winter health and fitness routines at home or within the workplace, simply ask us here. That’s what we’re here for! Ask for professional help with your training regime and nutrition today.
