Fall into Fitness with These Exercise Tips

Autumn usually brings a welcome cooldown from summer weather—and beautiful scenery to boot. And that makes fall a great time to begin an exercise program. Why wait for New Year’s when the weather is likely to be less inspiring? Make a new-you exercise resolution right now: Resolve to enjoy the glories of autumn through simple, calorie-burning activities.

Exercise: For Your Good Health

Regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools you have to reduce your health risks. Staying active can help prevent and control high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It also can help strengthen bones and joints, and may help protect you against certain types of cancer. And it’s vital to shedding unwanted pounds and maintaining a healthy weight.

An active lifestyle also offers mental health benefits. You may have more energy, feel less stressed, and get better sleep.

Tips for Autumn Activities

The best exercises for you are activities that you enjoy—and will keep doing. Aim for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. These ideas can help you get started:

• Walk everywhere. Walk around your neighborhood to enjoy the fall colors and weather. Just a 10-minute walk after every meal adds up to 30 minutes a day. Walk the dog, walk with a friend, or walk to the store from the farthest parking place in the lot.

• Get out and garden. Rake leaves, prune your plants, cover everything with mulch, trim the hedges, and pick up trash from the yard. It all counts as exercise.

• Put the “work” into your workout. Who says spring cleaning can’t happen in the fall? Wash the windows, wash and wax the car, sweep the sidewalks. When the work’s done, run around with your kids—or the neighbors’ kids—in the yard or at the park. Showing young people that exercise is fun is one of the best gifts you can give them.