Get Moving This Fall

Lose weight with these creative exercise tips

Mustering the energy to exercise is a struggle many of us are all too familiar with. If you’ve attempted and failed to maintain an exercise regimen in order to lose weight, you’re not alone. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. (49%, to be exact) have tried to lose weight at one point in time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sticking to a regular exercise routine can be challenging, which is why many people give up after a few months, or even a few weeks. Luckily, late summer and early fall are the perfect time to begin exercising. The weather cools down to a temperature that’s primed for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, cycling and hiking. Research shows those who exercise outdoors may reap more benefits than their indoor-exercising counterparts.

“Ten-minute sessions of exercise 3 times a day is a great way to get in physical activity even on your busiest days,” says Nick Graves, an exercise physiologist at the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital.  

Follow these tips to get moving this fall and beyond:

Get an exercise buddy. Accountability can be a great tool when it comes to exercise. If you have an exercise buddy and you’ve both agreed to take a class or go for a jog together, you’ll be less likely to bail since you’re not just letting yourself down, but someone else, too. 

Put something on the line. In order to take motivation one step further, consider putting something on the line if you fail to exercise. For example, make an agreement with a friend that you’ll pay them $20 or treat them to lunch if you miss a workout. Or, download an app like Pact. If you skip a workout, you pay other users, and if you go, you get the money they lost by skipping a workout.

Sign up for a class. Classes have several benefits. For one, you get a healthy dose of camaraderie by working out in a group. Plus, classes often have fees if you cancel. If you sign up ahead of time, you’ll be more motivated to go in order to avoid a hefty $10 or $15 no-show or cancellation fee.

Listen to a podcast or audiobook. If you opt for solo exercise like cycling or jogging, consider downloading a podcast or audiobook that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Make a deal with yourself that you’ll only listen to the podcast or audiobook while you’re exercising. If you pick something that’s particularly thrilling, you’ll be eager for your next run or bike ride.

Need some help on your weight-loss journey? Learn more about weight-loss programs and services available at Inova.