This Fall, Find ways to Stay Fit – and Have Fun!

By Frank J. Scerbo, PT, DPT, CSCS ///

With warm weather activities behind us, now’s the time to take advantage of the cooler temps of fall to get busy staying fit – while having fun! So why not head out to spend some time surrounded by glorious fall colors, on your own or with family and friends. You’ll reap the health benefits of physical activity, fresh fall air, and the pleasures of time away from your daily routine. Here are some ideas for a fun workout this season:

• Make fall chores fun – Raking leaves, harvesting and cleaning up in the garden, and planting fall bulbs, are tasks that we don’t always think of as fun. But they get you moving, and you’ll gain the powerful satisfaction of getting a job done while using your muscles and burning energy – just know your limits and be careful not to do too much, all at once.
• Apple picking – Many orchards cover acres of land, so you’ll get in some good walking exercise in apple-scented air, and bring home a bounty of healthy fresh fruit.
• Search for the Perfect Pumpkin – As with apple picking, walking the pumpkin patch will help you burn off extra calories.  It’s also a fun way to spend time with the kids. If you (or they) pick out a big one, remember to keep your back straight and lift with your knees.
• Take a Hike – The beauties of fall foliage season are fleeting, so don’t let them pass you by. A brisk hike in nature can give you a good cardio workout and help to melt away depression and everyday cares.
• Family sport – How about a game of touch football with the kids? Pickleball or tennis is not just for summer. Even throwing a Frisbee can be a way to get some exercise in fine fall weather, while training large and fine motor skills and teamwork.
• Bike – You’ll cover more ground than with a hike, and you can adjust the intensity of the workout by speed and terrain. Just don’t forget to notice the beautiful sights of fall along the way.
• Visit a Corn Maze – This staple of the fall season may not seem like exercise, but wandering through a maze involves walking – and trying to keep track of the kids!
• Nature Scavenger Hunt – Turn a nature walk into a fall scavenger hunt. Youngsters will be so engaged they may forget to complain about being tired.
• Trick-or-treat – Yes, there’s the candy. But you’ll get in some walking while following in their wake – and their excitement is contagious.
• Fall Group Events – Seek out and participate in Halloween runs, turkey trots, reindeer romps, and other holiday or seasonal activities. Signing up with friends or family will motivate you even more.

Playing catch, and walking the dog, we’re sure you have many more activities that get you out in the fall weather. We hope you will also plan to have some outdoor fun this fall and remember – when it comes to taking care of your physical well-being, our Scerbo PT specialists are always here to help!