The fall season is just around the corner. For most of us, the means breaking out the sweaters and shifting our workouts from outdoors back to the gym. But did you know that your eating and fitness habits should change, just like the seasons? All seasons have different amounts of light and dark. The differences can affect our bodies in major ways. As the air cools off, and the days get shorter, it is important to modify your fitness routine for the fall season.
1. Take a Vitamin D Supplement
Even in the summer time most people don’t get enough vitamin D in their system. In fact, 75% of teens and adults in America suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D helps to promote calcium absorption, prevent Type 1 Diabetes, and lower blood pressure. Not only that, but it also aids in maintaining blood levels when you are unable to get proper sun exposure. Taking a vitamin D supplement will allow you to keep your body functioning properly throughout the fall and winter seasons.
2. Up Your Carbohydrate Intake
Studies have shown that meals high in carbohydrates can boost your mood. Psychology Today says that the mood boost is a result of carbohydrates leading to preferential movement of tryptophan to the brain. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin. Seratonin is a feel-good neurotransmitter that will lead to an improved mood. It is easy to fall into seasonal depression during the colder months of the year. We aren’t telling you to stuff your face with pasta every night, but increasing your carb intake can lead to better moods and keep you out of the seasonal slump many of us so often fall into.
3. Stay Motivated
When the weather is cooler and the sunshine isn’t out as often, it can be hard to drag yourself out of the house to go to the gym. But getting a proper amount of exercise in the colder seasons is just as important (if not more) as getting exercise in the spring and summer. Just like increasing your carb intake, proper exercise can help you to improve your mood and avoid seasonal depression. Not to mention, it is a great way to work off the carbs intake that we mentioned above! There are many ways to stay motivated during the colder seasons. If you work out in the morning, make sure your bedroom isn’t too cold. That will keep you from getting out of bed! For more ways to stay motivated during the fall and winter, click here.
4. Monitor Your Weight
Most people have suffered the miserable experience of avoiding weighing themselves throughout the winter, only to find out they gained a lot more than they thought they did come spring. Even if the weight gain seems insignificant (1-2 pounds), that can accumulate quickly over the years. To avoid weight gain, make sure you are tracking your progress throughout fall and winter. Continue to exercise and monitor your progress, including your weight. Constant awareness is the key to progression as well as maintaining a desired weight. If you know how much you weigh at all time, you are less likely to overeat or skip out on a gym session.
Fall is a great time of the year for a number of reasons. Football games, sweaters, Netflix marathons, and cuddling are just a few of them. Follow the above suggestions to make this Fall the best yet in terms of nutrition and fitness!