1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Exercise

Get Ready for Fall Fitness

By Paige Waehner, About.com

Updated October 29, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

1 of 5

Take Advantage of the Great Outdoors

The end of summer can be traumatic for some people (like me), but fall isn't so bad either when you think about crisp mornings, cozy nights and the sweet smell of falling leaves. With kids back to school and holidays on the way, it may seem impossible to find time to exercise, especially when there's not as much daylight and the weather gets chilly. But, this is the best time of year to get outside and enjoy the fresh air without the heat and humidity.

Walking

Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise. All you really need is a good pair of shoes and, perhaps, some fall weather gear. The key to making it enjoyable is to make it a daily thing. Plan on after dinner walks with the family or before work and school. You can also plan family activities that involve walking like apple-picking adventures. Check out resources for Colorful Autumn Walking to get you started.

Hiking

Fall is a great time to go hiking--cool weather, no bugs and, of course, magnificent views. Plus, hiking burns mega-calories as you increase your elevation and really work those legs. Check out these Best Fall Hikes for ideas on where to go.

Running

Fall is probably the best time of year for running outdoors. It's not too hot, not too cold and watching the leaves change colors each time you head outside can make each workout a new adventure. If you're a beginner, start with Running for Beginners or head over to our Running site for information on how to get started.

Sure, exercise and eating well are important elements of a healthy lifestyle -- but so is having fun.

Explore Exercise
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Exercise
  4. Weight Loss
  5. Fall Fitness - Get Ready for Fall Fitness and Health>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.