7 Ways to Stay Active During the Fall and Colder Months

Staying active during cooler months is difficult. As the days grow increasingly shorter and the nights longer, it can become so easy to stay indoors. But while staying active may seem like it's a bit more of a challenge during the colder months, it doesn't have to be! This season provides us with many fun opportunities to stay active, and below we've got seven ways you can do that.

1. Take a Hike

Fall can be a beautiful time of year to explore nature, especially if you are fortunate enough to live in an area like Upstate New York. But wherever you are, you might be close enough to plenty of trails to hike. Grab your family and go witness the changing leaves up close!

2. Head to the Pumpkin Patch!

One of our favorite things to do during the Fall is head to the various Pumpkin farms around the area! Kids can enjoy picking out those pumpkins, as well as participating in other fun events, such as hay rides, corn mazes, haunted trails, obstacle courses, and face paintings!

3. Go Apple Picking

An apple orchard is one of the most rewarding fall trips you can make! You can get low-impact exercise with your family and be able to take home delicious apples that you can bake into all sorts of fall treats. And baking them later is another great opportunity for a family activity as well as a chance to teach your children some kitchen skills!

4. Pick and Carve Pumpkins

Pumpkin picking is a another great chance to get up and moving, and be able to bring something home for another activity. Pumpkin carving is a fun way to bring the whole family together and get creative with designs. Have a pumpkin carving contest - challenge each other to see who can be the most creative, funniest, or scariest!

5. Sign Up for a 5K

Fall is a great season for runners, even during the pandemic! Many fall runs this year are going virtual, allowing participation on public tracks or even treadmills.

6. Rake the Leaves

This might not be your favorite activity, but it will give you a workout! Raking the leaves is a great way to stay active and get outside, all while raising your heart rate burning calories in the process. And there's nothing wrong with channeling your inner child and jumping into a leaf pile -- if your kids or pets don't get there first!

7. Play Sports

The fall doesn't have to be about just binging shortened professional seasons. Even with social distancing, you can find some sports that you can play safely with family, friends, and neighbors! You may want to consider tennis, badminton, baseball, softball, Frisbee, biking, and golf.

Whatever you decide to do, know that just because the temperatures may be getting cooler, doesn't mean that you have to stay inside. Fall into fitness, fall into a routine. It's a beautiful time of year, and staying active will help you enjoy it even more!