ORLANDO, Fla. – Alongside working feverishly to be the best forecaster I can be for all you lovely folks reading at home, to the surprise of some, I also dabble in the fitness industry.
During my time in the U.S. Air Force, I developed a fondness for exercise and the science behind it. I became a physical training leader, which is essentially the military version of a personal trainer you’d find in your traditional commercial gym.
I certified in multiple niches inside the fitness realm and continued working as a trainer even beyond serving in the active duty armed forces.
As we prepare for the fall and winter seasons, and most of all getting our New Year’s resolutions together, I thought I’d start to pepper you with some helpful tips and tricks to get you on your way toward your fitness goals.
Or at the very least a little nudge of encouragement if you’ve already taken the plunge to get started.
While the New Year is often synonymous with breaking the mold and trying new things, especially purchasing a gym membership, believe it or not Mother Nature says there’s an even BETTER time of the year to get your start.
October is probably the PRIME month for stepping foot into the enormous sea called fitness.
October offers a unique blend of cooler temps, stable weather patterns (usually!) and psychological resets that make it just as ideal as waiting for the calendar to hit Jan. 1. In fact, maybe even better, since you don’t have to worry about the absolute flood of new goers to your favorite local gym or exercise spot.
On top of that, if you’re not a fan of huddling up inside a crowded or noisy big-box gym, the outdoors are just as magnificent. Research shows air temperatures between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, which are pretty common even around these parts in the state of Florida, are OPTIMAL for some exercise.
It helps bolster your endurance, reduces heat stress that builds up during strenuous activity, helps sweat loss which leads to dehydration and poor muscle performance, and overall feels glorious when compared to the summer or winter temps on either side of the time period.
No summer-style humidity, without the winter stiffness.
These somewhat cooler temperatures also help prevent injury. Granted, I’m an enormous advocate you should still and ALWAYS warm up before any type of activity! But it isn’t so hot you’re overheating after doing some light work. It also isn’t too cold to where muscle elasticity is heavily reduced to the point where no warm up can really get the job done at all.
You also reap the benefit of more or less consistent weather. Unlike September’s lingering heat, and November’s early cold snaps or winter storms, October tends to be fairly dry and stable which is predominantly what we’ve seen in recent days.
The switch to more bonified fall conditions offers a great mental boost as well. I can’t tell you how pleasant it is to walk outside to a subtle nip in the air, versus breaking into a sweat at 4 a.m. while loading my bags into the back of my car.
It’s also the time of year where your A/C starts to get a break! Cooler nights means you can crack your windows open a tad. Cooler temperatures naturally offer better sleep which really elevates how your body recovers after a long day.
Sleep truly is the best medicine, whether it be from a hefty workout the day prior or even the worst of illnesses.
Finally, you get that holiday head start! While others are busy building their goals for the new year, you’re already tracking progress and making gains leading the pack towards a positive kickstart to the upcoming year!