Summer for many can be a huge negative in terms of exercise and health, myself included. As autumn sets in the focus will soon be on getting back into shape for the next continental hiatus. For many of my clients the summer has consisted of some over-indulgence and, predictably, limited exercise.

Autumn sweeps away the excuses

However, now summer is over, the weather is changing and the children are back to school, routines are back in place to assist in this autumn’s fitness plans. Below a few top tips in getting your fitness mojo back.

Start Slow

Be realistic and start slow – but not too slow

You’ve had a holiday, not an operation. Your body will have used the extra sleep, the vitamin D, and the extensive calories to build, repair and recharge. However, getting into shape now is a great idea if you want to keep fit over the winter period. Your body can take a few weeks to adapt to a new training regime, so starting now allows you to get used to training before the winter chill. This means you’ll be more likely to stick with it through the colder (and more calorific!) months, so you can train straight through winter and into the warmer months. Your summer antics may have left you feeling slightly sluggish, but it won’t mean you’ve lost all of your fitness. In fact, for those who have been working super hard prior to your summer holidays, it may even result in returning with improved fitness.  Take it reasonably easy on your first session back, but try to start increasing the intensity by session two.

Reset Goals

Re-set goals

Following a period of inactivity, the goals that you had in place will most likely need to be reset. You may feel that you are now faced with training for the sake of training. This won’t get you out of bed as the winter approaches. Instead, set some new goals. This could be fitness-related, body-compositional or just lifestyle changes which you’d like to implement. Write them down, tell people, and action them. The more people you tell, the less you’ll want to fail, particularly if it’s something really important, so tell away and then use that pressure you’ve put on yourself to succeed.

Step by Step

Step by step

Whatever your goals, if reaching them are to be an achievement then they should be attainable but far from easy. Autumn can be a beautiful time of year – crisp leaves on the ground, changing autumn colours and a lovely breeze in the air. Make the most of it! Try doing some outdoor activities for autumn fitness – running, hiking or cycling are great examples. Always remember that exercise doesn’t have to feel like an intense workout. You can try walking to work, doing some gardening or taking the dog for a walk. Your body will thank you for not going into hibernation mode! To ensure you remain focused and driven, setting periods of training towards smaller goals will be just what you need to keep focused and maintain a sense of achievement as you tick off success after success.

Balance Habits

Balancing your habits

We all know TV shows make a comeback around the autumn – but don’t allow them to be your downfall. Instead of becoming a couch potato, try to balance your leisure time between binge-watching Sky or Netflix and getting up and moving. Make time for exercise! Use the gyms and the resources that are there. Gym classes, fitness instructors and personal trainers will give you a class or exercise plan that’s tailored to your schedule, plus gives you the accountability you need to stay motivated!

As always, do not hesitate to contact us with any help you may need in your autumn training. Keep working, achieving those goals, and making autumn awesome.