How to stick to a fitness routine this autumn
As the new season begins, it is the perfect time to get back on track with your fitness routine.
It is common to fall off the wagon when it comes to fitness in summer due to childcare responsibilities, holidays and even just the warm weather.
Personal training lead at Nuffield Health, Samuel Quinn, has shared his tips to help you find your physical motivation this autumn.
Find your balance
You don't want to push yourself too hard but you also want to see the benefits of your hard work.
"When you're thinking about leading your best, healthy and happy life, you need to have a combination of the following; physical fitness, mental fitness, sleep, healthy nutrition plan and social connections," Samuel suggests. "If you are hammering the gym six days a week without rest, following a healthy diet without any eating things you enjoy (think 80:20 rule) or are pushing your body despite when you're not feeling your best, you are never going to be the best version of yourself."
He adds, "Incorporate rest days, book in time with friends and family, enjoy a pizza. Balance isn't a 20-minute HIIT workout followed by a night out, it's about prioritising all elements of your health."
Involve the whole family
Involving your children in your fitness journey will help you maintain your exercise goals.
The expert recommends, "Why not set a reoccurring spot in the family calendar each week to form a new habit - parents spend hours planning afterschool activities and weekend plans which can deprioritise spending quality time together, so why not book in a 30-minute family walk, visit to the gym or even planned family-friendly fitness events to create dedicated time together."
Restart your 2023 goals
If you have been busy throughout the summer, it's possible that you have lost track of the goals you set earlier in the year. However, there's nothing stopping you from making new goals whenever you want!
"Take the pressure off yourself and turn it into an opportunity to hit the reset button on your goals this month. Goal setting is a great way to help focus the mind and add some structure to what you want to achieve," Samuel says.
Try all the fitness trends
If you have been sticking to the same workout routine throughout the year, it could be worth switching up your workouts and exercises completely to make it more exciting and to hit new goals.
"Variety is the spice of life so why not try something new every week until you find your perfect workout match, or keep the fitness trends on rotation to keep it fresh," Samuel states. "Follow your favourite fitness trend online - when it's trendy there's usually a good marketing campaign or social media presence to subscribe to which can help keep you motivated, just make sure the trend works for you and it's done properly."
