Autumn has arrived. The mornings are darker, the evenings are drawing in and the temperature is beginning to drop.
And for many of us, something else starts to disappear at this time of year: motivation.
During summer, getting outside feels relatively easy. There are long evenings, warmer weather and plenty of opportunities to walk, exercise or simply spend time outdoors.
Come October, the sofa can suddenly look much more inviting.
So how do we keep ourselves healthy and active through autumn?
The first thing is to accept that your routine might need to change.
If you normally go for a walk after dinner, darkness and bad weather might make that less appealing. Could you walk at lunchtime instead? Could you get outside first thing in the morning? The important thing isn’t necessarily sticking rigidly to your summer routine — it’s finding an autumn routine that actually works.
And don’t underestimate walking.
You don’t have to be sweating in a gym every day to be active. Walking to the shops, taking the dog out, gardening or simply going for a brisk 30-minute walk all count towards keeping you moving.
Autumn is also a great time to think about strength.
Resistance exercise becomes increasingly important as we get older because maintaining our muscles helps us remain strong and capable in everyday life. That could mean going to the gym, using resistance bands or doing appropriate exercises at home.
Then there’s food.
When the weather gets colder, many of us naturally start wanting warming, comforting meals. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Think soups packed with vegetables and beans, stews containing plenty of vegetables and lean protein, baked potatoes, curries and casseroles.
Healthy food doesn’t have to mean cold salads.
Autumn also brings some fantastic seasonal produce. Apples, pears, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, cauliflower and root vegetables can all become part of filling, nutritious meals.
And finally, think about daylight.
Getting outside during daylight hours can be particularly worthwhile during the darker months. Even if the weather isn’t perfect, a lunchtime walk gets you moving, gets you away from screens and gives you some time outdoors.
The biggest mistake we can make is waiting until we “feel motivated”.
Motivation comes and goes.
Routine is much more reliable.
So as autumn arrives, don’t try to be perfect. Build a few simple habits you can realistically continue through October, November and into winter.
Keep moving. Eat well most of the time. Get outdoors when you can. Look after your strength.
And perhaps most importantly, remember that looking after your health isn’t just something you do when the sun is shining.
