How to retain the motivation to work out in autumn

With the change of seasons, we might also experience the change of will. Your beach body now covered in multiple layers, the hours of working out might easily transform into endless contemplation on the couch instead… Sure, summer was great. You created a fantastic collection of adventurous encounters and dreamy photos. But it’s time to move on and embrace the fall for what it is: a chance for a new beginning!

We know autumn could have its grim and depressing moments, but it could also be colourful and full of inspiration. All it takes is the right mindset.

Here are a couple of tips to help you stay healthy & active throughout the gloomy days!

Be mindful

Combine exercise with mindfulness. How? Well, to be mindful is to guide your full attention to the present moment. To breathe in and breathe out as the pressure of each next position increases. To feel the muscles bend and ache as you twist and turn your body. To let the stress and negativity of the daily challenges lessen as the time passes.

According to Forbes magazine, multitasking is often regarded as the best practice towards efficiency, but in reality in the long run it is only working against us:

“Between 2000 and 2012, studies measuring the time a person could concentrate continuously on one thing found it dropped from 12 to eight seconds – less apparently than a goldfish, which can manage nine.”

In other words, practising mindfulness means that you’ll be getting better equipped to handle stress. With more energy and focus in reserve, you’re more likely to be productive and persistent when it comes to sticking to a healthy routine!

Partner up with a friend

From Monday’s boring work meeting through Friday’s gig to Sunday’s beetroot latte, everything is more bearable and enjoyable when it’s shared with a friend!

Working out with a buddy provides the low-key peer pressure that pushes you out of the comfort zone and into the fun zone. Forget about commitment issues and instead focus on learning new workout tricks with your bestie.

Check out our blog article that outlines all the benefits of working out with a partner.

Look up local events

Do something out of the ordinary. Why not join a Capoeira class? Feel your strength being tested as Portuguese string music unfolds in the background! Maybe even go so far as to try axe throwing for a solid upper-body workout?! I guess if Jason Momoa is cool enough to do it, then so are we:

Alternatively, you could sign up for a rooftop yoga class 20-something floors above the busy street traffic to practice mindfulness in style!

Whatever you settle for, the important thing is to try an activity for the first time in order to pump up your adrenaline levels. The butterfly effect put in motion, you may rest assured that you’ll be eager to preserve the acquired energy.

Bring the gym home

If you really can’t be bothered to go outside, don’t dwell on it too much. The autumn nostalgia can reach the fittest of us. With so many video tutorials and personal trainers relying on social media to spread the healthy lifestyle, however, think of it as an opportunity to transform the living room into your own gym space.

Once you find a suitable workout routine, make sure to adjust your phone or laptop to a place that you can observe whatever the positions you’re moving into. The only thing left – to ensure your favourite playlist is blasting from the speakers!

Treat yourself

We always get a sudden adrenaline rush when we buy a brand new accessory that we’ve fancied for a long time. Whether it’s a digital watch, or a pair of trainers, new gym gear can inspire us to stay active. You know where I’m getting at, right? Go ahead and treat yourself!