Can you feel it?

It’s the bright red leaves you want to hear under your running shoes.

It’s the cool grass where you can roll out your yoga mat.

It’s the crisp, fresh air that makes you want to enjoy the rest of THIS season before another one arrives.

Maybe you feel desire, or maybe it’s just a little nudge… to reboot your workouts this fall.

The reality is you could start a new fitness routine any season, day, or month of the year, but here’s why fall is a great time to make it happen. 

Fall is to summer vacation as the New Year is to holiday vacations.  Think about it:  In the fall, many of us are coming off time spent away from work, vacations, kids are going back to school, and our daily routines may be changing back to what we consider “normal.”

If you’ve decided you want to get back into a fitness routine this fall, or energize one that has been lacking in consistency over the last several months – what’s the first step?

Decide.  You’re going to do it. Period.  

What comes next is the change in your current routine, which can always be stressful.

Remember this:  Success happens when you commit and take action with a plan you believe in. (TWEET IT!)

So if you want to get moving, let me encourage your beliefs with some reasons on why now is the perfect time for you to succeed, and why you should start a fitness routine right now.

10 Reasons to Start a Fitness Routine in the Fall

Boost Your Mood

In climates where the winter months are cloudy, dismal, and make people want to stay indoors more often, emotional challenges like depression, anxiety, and SAD (seasonal affective disorder) can make motivation for exercise even more difficult.  If you get a start on your routine now, moving your body could help prevent the “winter blues.”

Gain Momentum for Other Healthy Habits

Have you thought about trying that new fitness class, starting a detox or new eating plan, and learning about natural remedies for the flu season this fall?  When you start one change, there’s typically a ripple effect that occurs.  By starting with just one healthy habit, you’ll likely find the motivation you’re been looking for to keep going with other ones as well.

Help Your Body Detox

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and one of the best ways to detox is through sweating.  Fall also happens to be one of the best times to detox the body because it’s already seasonally in tune to the idea of releasing toxins and cleaning out.  Your exercise routine will help the process along.  Grab a copy of my e-book The Dirt Detox if you want a step-by-step holistic guide.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Before the snow flies and you don’t want to strap on 5 layers of clothing to go for a run (or head to the gym), spend some time outside.  Your body will cope better with the temperature changes if you’re spending regular time in the decreasing temperatures, plus you’ll get to enjoy the sunshine and fall beauty while it lasts.

Give Your Immune System a Boost

Regular moderate exercise has been shown to enhance the immune system’s function, which means you’ll be equipped to handle seasonal health challenges, like colds and the flu.  For more natural support, contact me about essential oils.  They help me stay healthy all year long.

Gain Confidence

Fall seems to be a time that we realize there’s only a few months left until the end of the year and we take a quick recap of what we wanted to accomplish, what we have actually done, and what we have left to do.  Instead of beating yourself up for not reaching certain goals, make a list of all the things you did accomplish.  Then you can look at what you didn’t get to, decide if you still want to pursue it, and make a new action plan to succeed.

Reach Your Goal with Small Steps

When it comes to a fitness routine, one of the first things we do is come up with a goal – either in our heads, written down somewhere, or posted on a vision board.  It’s vital to have big dreams and lofty goals, but remember it’s the small action steps you take daily that get you there.  Take the first step and keep taking action.

Set Goals with Soul

I know it sounds contradictory to what I just said, but there’s a piece to goal-setting that most people miss. When you set your goal think about what you’re really after.  Ask yourself, “why do I want to start a new fitness routine?”  Try finishing this sentence: “I want to feel…”  because here’s the thing. Starting the fitness routine typically has more to do with feeling a certain way, and less to do with the goal in itself.  For example, you want to feel confident in our skinny jeans, so you can attract a potential date, so you can develop a relationship, so you can feel love.  So what is it really about?  Write down the reason you’re starting the fitness routine, and run with it. Goals with soul will move you to get moving.

Get a Head Start

Most people are waiting for the New Year to commit to their fitness plans.  Go now before you have to wait in line to workout.

Seize the Day

Stop putting off goals and dreams for tomorrow when you have all the power you need to start today.  Tomorrow is uncertain, and procrastination is getting you nowhere.  If you want to get motivated, you’ve got to move.

Goals with soul will move you to get moving. (TWEET IT!)