Summer has finished (rubbish), the kids are back at school (phew), and you’re probably getting used to the morning routine and the change in weather (although, there wasn’t loads of sun over the summer holidays). The longer days and the sunshine make it much easier to enjoy healthy food and get outside to keep active, which results in you feeling pretty good about yourself from about May through to September. However, once autumn is in full swing and the days are short and far colder than before; it’s a challenge to keep up with the active side of life and munching on healthy food all day (aside from the odd ice cream on the beach obviously).
The change in weather can affect more than just your health and fitness levels; it can bring your mood down, which makes it even more difficult to head towards healthy lifestyle choices. Of course, it’s the season of snuggling up, snacking, and watching X-Factor, but that doesn’t mean you have to say farewell to the level of summer health you had a matter of weeks ago. The following are some tips and ideas for those who want to continue to feel great, both inside and out, and aren’t prepared a little cold weather to put them off.
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Keep Moving
Aside from getting your circulation pumping and keeping you warm outside; exercise will fill you with endorphins so that you feel great, and you’ll be motivated to continue getting out and about. You’ll be able to indulge in those spiced pumpkin lattes if you’re burning them off through your favourite sports, working out, and exercising regularly.
If the cold weather means that you need a little more motivation; you could look into a 21 day fix workout schedule to get you off to a positive start so that you can keep up the good work throughout the rest of autumn and winter. Get the family involved; make your exercise regime part of family life so that you’re all working together to stay fit and give each other encouragement along the way. If the other half and your kids aren’t interested; grab a friend or two, and you can be each other’s incentive to put your trainers on and get out the house.
Keep Eating
Eating healthily doesn’t mean sticking to the cold salads you enjoyed during summer, and it certainly doesn’t mean cutting down on fuel altogether. You’ll need warming fuel to keep your energy levels up to workout for a start, and you’ll keep your temperature up with plenty of hot autumnal recipes in your stomach. Embrace the seasonal fruit and vegetables with warm soups and hot bowls of porridge with apple compote in the mornings.
Make sure you have a great balance of carbohydrates and protein, so you feel full, and your body has plenty f energy for that run you’ve planned in the evening. Remember that it’s not about losing weight; it’s about filling up on nourishing foods and being as active as possible for a happy mind and healthy fitness levels, so you can sprint into autumn feeling great.
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