Staying motivated to be physically active in the fall can be more challenging, with less daylight and unpredictable weather. We recommend having both an outdoor and indoor plan so you can select the best activity to keep you on track with your fitness goals and avoid the temptation to hibernate.
For outdoor activities, consider a daylight and nightlight route for walking or running. Daylight routes can be more adventurous since they are not limited to locations with streetlamps. The Foothills, Orting and Sumner trails are vibrant with autumn foliage this month. The University of Washington Arboretum in Seattle, the Bellevue Botanical Gardens and the former Weyerhaeuser corporate campus in Federal Way are interesting locations to take the family out for an urban walk or hike.
For nightlight routes, choose a neighborhood that is consistently well lit with wide and even sidewalks.
Some of the newer housing developments in Enumclaw and Bonney Lake have these features. The Lakeland Hills neighborhood is popular as it offers miles of lighted sidewalks with the option of hills. Parks with sports fields are often well lit and have nice paths to walk on as well.
For indoor activities, consider following a video or online aerobic, Pilates or yoga workout. Goodwill and garage sales are productive sources for workout videos. There are several online exercise videos for free; these include fitnessblender.com, fitnessmagazine.com and womensday.com. Low-tech ideas of Twister and jump rope are fun ways to involve the family with indoor physical activity.
Staying physically active in the fall can be challenging and fun. Good planning can help avoid the temptation to become less active with less daylight and unpredictable weather.
Best wishes for your continued success!
Stephanie Norton-Bredl is the associate executive director at the Auburn Valley YMCA and may be contacted at snortonbredl@seattleymca.org. Bruce deJong is a group exercise instructor at the Auburn Valley YMCA and may be contacted at bruce@bicyclebootcamp.com.
