Five Tricks to Fit in Fall Fitness

Summer vacations are now computer screensavers and cellphone backgrounds, and it’s back to your wall calendar, lists, meetings, kids’ practices, and weekend chores. If the weather and weeks ahead feel harsh, one thing will get easier: your workouts.

Back in May, we thought the warm weather and free time meant getting in great shape during the summer. However, for some of us, the 80s turn to 90s, and free time means putting off our fitness routines until later in the day, then skipping them altogether.

Fall breezes and busy routines can be your workout buddies.

When we have a demanding routine with the kids, jobs, and a packed schedule, we have to find the time to work out. If we know we only have from 6-7 a.m., four days a week, then there is no putting it off because you “have all day” to work out.

Here are some trainer tricks and mantras to get fit in your fall fitness:

1. Use little tricks to keep exercise at the top of the list.

If you can only exercise in the afternoon or evening, leave house keys and workout clothes at the gym locker in the morning on your way to work or dropping kids off at school. This way you have to go there before you go home. Or, if you work out at home, keep an exercise calendar on your wall. This way you see what you have done already this week, and it gives you one important thing to cross off each day.

2. Sleep in workout clothes.

If you exercise first thing in the morning, then sleep in your workout clothes, leave out your sneakers, and set your alarm music to fun fitness beats. This way, you’re already dressed and inspired to get through your workout.

3. Multitask during workouts.

Why stand still doing bicep curls, then do lunges, then squats, then shoulder presses, when you can combine all these moves together? Multitasking means more calories burned, boosted metabolism, increased heart rate, more sweat, more fat melting, and more muscle toning in half the time. Sprinkle in some cardio intervals between sets for even more health and slimming benefits.

4. Find mantras that motivate you.

A few of my favorites are:

• If you went running when you first thought of it, you’d be done by now.
• Sitting is the new smoking.
• Sweat is fat crying.
• If you don’t have an hour to work out today, how much time will you have from a hospital bed?
• Work out because you can.

5. Plan meals on Sunday.

The more natural and organic fruits, veggies, fiber, and lean protein like fish and chicken you can prepare for your week in small portion sizes, the less fried or processed food you will need to rush to later. Invest in Ziplock bags, blenders, portable coolers, ice packs, Tupperware, plastic utensils, and slow cookers.

And yes, no matter how busy you are, you can find the time to work out. I train news producers who do the overnight shift; people who work, take care of sick family members and go to night school; executives who travel every week and work 15 hour days; as well as moms with huge families. There are no excuses.

And just think, if you find time to fit in your fitness this fall, the winter screen saver will be a chiseled photo of you.