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Health & Fitness

Outdoor Activities for Snowy Time – Prepare Now

This Fall it is critical to be building up your endurance and your skills in one of these activities if you plan to do it in the Winter weather as well.  It turns out, a lot of people run, bike and hike in the snow.  It can be a lot of fun but it is not the time to start those kinds of activities.  Instead, start doing them now and gradually work your way into the snowy Winter months to get the most enjoyment.

I took the time to find a good article on each of these activities for further reference along with the summaries below.

The first thing I have to confess though is that I am a little bit of a worry wart myself.  I like safety and at first blush, these do not seem like the safest things to do.  But like any activity, if you take safety precautions and build up your skill level, these can be fun year round.

1) Running in snow in Akron – I know someone who is part of a group of people in Peninsula who run in all weather year round.  And the person I know is very fit.  She told me the only days they do not run are when there is lighting.  So they run in snow, rain and extreme heat.  According to this webpage on Running World, you can buy things for running directly on snow and ice.  They suggest running in soft snow when possible and not on hard packed snow and ice.  The interesting part of this article is the advice that you will get a great workout because of the difficulty, although you will not beat your best time.  https://www.runnersworld.com/ask-coach-jenny/running-on-snow-and-ice

2) Biking in snow in Akron – With all the great bike trails throughout NE Ohio, it is a shame we cannot use them year round.  But of course you can if you are brave enough to go biking in the s

now.  My first impression is that you are going to be sliding a lot and some days that will certainly be true, but according to this article on bicycling, you can use any bike although mountain bikes and fat bikes will give you better stability.  As I mentioned, you should be biking regularly before the snow hits, and not trying to practice a new skill in the worst possible weather.  Find out more here. https://www.bicycling.com/training/tips/9-dos-and-donts-of-winter-cycling

3) Hiking in snow in Akron – Lastly, going hiking in the many Metro Parks in Northeast Ohio can be done all year long.  Just like running, you are going to get a more physical workout because of the added challenge.  Depending on the weather, you may want some more gear and even possibly some snow shoes to get around.  Also, if you are hiking back into deeper places, be sure to go with a friend and mark your location on your mobile phone when you start in case you lose the path.  Some of the paths that are easy to follow in the Summer may be nearly invisible when covered by snow.  For more on hiking in the snow read this article on Hike It Baby.  https://hikeitbaby.com/blog/hiking-in-the-snow/

You can play it safe in the Winter and go to the gym.  But you do not have to do that and you can always mix up your routine with a nice winter hike, bike or run.

 

 

Potentially Life-Saving Self-Defense Techniques

Walking alone, especially at night, can be worrying for some. In Ohio, over 200 victims of human trafficking were identified in 2017, according to the Ohio Attorney General Office’s annual report. Although men and women can both be victims, one in three women will experience a violent attack in their lifetime. These self-defense strategies will improve confidence and may make the walk home safer for everyone.

Self-defense is considered using reasonable force to protect oneself or their family from physical harm inflicted by an attacker. The defender must believe they are in danger of the assailant and cannot excuse excessive force. Other ways to feel safe besides using physical force is keeping pepper spray in your hand while walking, or putting keys in between your fingers. Staying on the phone with someone while walking alone can help ensure your safety, and staying aware of your surroundings helps. Everyday items like phones, keys or umbrellas can all be used as a weapon if someone was to attack you, making them more likely to run away.

If the purpose of the attack is to rob you, it’s safer to hand over what they want than to refuse. The best course of action is to defuse the situation as quickly as possible. Money, wallets and phones can all be replaced, but your life can’t. Getting out and away from the situation is far safer and easier than blocking such an attack. More importantly, trust your instincts. If you get a gut feeling that your normal route home seems “off” that night, or if someone is giving off creepy vibes, go another way.

While you are walking out alone, think about presenting yourself with confidence. According to Black Belt magazine, attackers focus on those who look confused, scared or distracted. These individuals are looking for someone they can easily overpower, and by presenting yourself with your head up and shoulders back, you are less likely to become a target. If someone attempts to engage with you, respond back just as confidently. This could be an attacker assessing how you may be feeling, so don’t allow them to throw you off guard. Avoid freezing up and respond with confidence and stay calm. Appear non-confrontational, but don’t allow them to get too close either and try to keep a safe distance between you and the other person. If they enter your personal space, tell them to back off, and if they don’t, push them away from you.

As soon as you are touched by someone, shout as loud as possible and fight back against them. There is no time for compassion in this situation and it’s important to act fast. The most effective parts of the body to hit are the eyes, nose, ears, neck, groin, knee and legs. Always maintain your distance, and don’t move closer to land a hit. When attempting to hit, leverage your weight into the swing to make your strike land with more force.

The first effective self-defense move is the heel-palm strike. Shove your hand with an open palm quickly and strongly upwards into the bottom of the nose. The second move is striking the eye, which can help you prepare for another attack. The eye strike is simply jabbing your hand into the eyes of the assailant, and whether the hit lands or not, the attacker will probably recoil. The last simple move is the knee strike: driving your need upward into your attacker’s groin, which could potentially end the fight quickly.

To make these moves even more powerful, consider incorporating the use of everyday objects, like keys. Also use your elbows, knees and head when trying to fight back, which are strong parts of the body. If you’re ever knocked down to the ground, remember the heel-palm and eye strike, which are just as effective from the floor. If the attacker is standing, kick at him, as your legs will keep them at a distance. Even on the ground, attempt to aim for the groin with a kick or a knee, and remember to always look for an opportunity when there’s an opening.

Don’t be afraid of what’s out in the dark, simply be prepared. Be aware of your surroundings when walking alone, and always keep something in your hand for a makeshift weapon or a phone call. Try to get out of a situation before it turns physical, but remember that using your body for defense can save you.

LynAnne Vucovich is a journalist who studied at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She has a passion for culture, community and cats.

Extreme Fitness Safety

Exercise is a great way to get into shape or to stay in shape. One trend for a while now has been extreme fitness, where people push themselves to the limit.  However, this is only for people who have consulted doctors and are already in good shape and knowledgeable about fitness and their body.  You have to be good at listening to your body and keeping careful track of your workouts and how they effect you to go down this road.
When preparing for an extreme fitness routine there are many safety precaution a person needs to take in order to stay healthy and to keep from becoming sick.  Before starting the exercise routine a person should wait at least one hour after they have finished their last meal. This will allow oxygen and nutrients to circulate throughout the body and for digestion to be completed. If a person ate a large amount of food they should wait an even longer period of time before exercising. During the summer months the hottest part of the day is between 10am and 4pm. When possible a person should avoid a workout outdoors during this time when the sun is the strongest. If a person does want to work out then they should stay indoors and in the air conditioning.
When working out it is important to drink plenty of water. Four to six ounces is recommended for every 20 minutes of the workout. This will keep the body from dehydrating and will help cool the body down. Loose fitting clothing should also be worn. This will allow the sweat to evaporate off of the body. For every hour that a person plans on working out they should take a fifteen minute break. This will give the body a chance to cool down and rest before continuing on with the workout. When doing an intense workout program a person should monitor their heart rate. When a person exercises their heart rate will increase but they need to make sure they are still within a healthy range. The heart should not go above fifty percent of its normal resting rate even when involved in an intense workout.
Examples of more extreme exercise are Crossfit, Spinning, Boxing, Weight Lifting, Spartan Training, Marathon Training and anything HIIT oriented.  HIIT – High Intensity Interval Training is a system of planned cardio respiratory training which requires repeated bouts of short duration, high-intensity exercise intervals combined with periods of lower intensity intervals of recovery. You want to look into any of these types of fitness regimes because there can be dangers.  Just take a look at what has been found out about spinning – which you would think is super low impact and safe.
Do a search around Akron and you will find many types of more intense fitness programs.  Many Akron gyms have programs for more advanced people looking for a challenge and to push themselves.
When looking for an intense workout a person should combine walking, jogging, and cardiovascular training. This will help the body get into shape and be able to handle the intensity of the workout. Like all exercise programs be sure to consult with a doctor before starting.

7 Ways to Build Your Confidence and Reduce Your Anxiety

This article is a guest post by Stan Popovich.

Many people struggle with their confidence throughout their life. It can be challenging to find the courage to be yourself in today’s society.

As a result, here are 7 suggestions on how to increase your self-esteem and reduce your anxiety in your life.

1. Know your weaknesses and strengths: It is important to know what skills you have in your life. Taking a skills assessment test is a great way to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Once you realize your skill sets, the next step is to focus on your talents.

2. Accept who you are: Do not get into the habit of comparing yourself to others. You are unique in this world and it is important that you realize that you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.

3. Remember your successes: Some people downplay their successes and focus on those things they struggle with. Always remind yourself of your past accomplishments no matter how small they may be.  Stop focusing on the negative parts of your life and remember your past achievements.

4. Think about your future: Take time to think about what you really want out of life. Do not live your life for others. Once you determine what you want to accomplish, the next step is to develop a strategy that will help you to accomplish your goals.

5. Create goals: Set achievable goals on a regular basis and then take small steps to accomplish them. Make sure your goals are measurable and monitor your progress. Don’t get upset if you don’t accomplish all of your goals. You can always change your goals so that you can be more successful.

6. Talk to others: It is important that you talk to other successful people in order to get a better perspective of your life. Listening to other people’s challenges and accomplishments can go a long way in feeling better about yourself. You can also learn how to overcome the obstacles in your life.

7. Be persistent: Do not give up in achieving your goals in your life. Learn from your mistakes and try to improve on your situation. Do not make excuses on why you should quit or give up. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to be successful. The key is to keep at it until you get what you want.

Guest Post Author Bio

Stan Popovich is the author of the popular managing fear book, “A Layman’s Guide To Managing Fear”. For more information about Stan’s book and to get some free mental health advice, please visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com.

Akron Today does not endorse or recommend guest post authors, interviewees, or other people appearing in the site. Our information is general and does not represent professional advice or opinions.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. People sport the pink ribbons all month long in order to spread awareness and show support for those diagnosed with breast cancer, and their loved ones. Breast cancer is especially important because it is the second-leading cancer found in women(lung cancer is first). Here are some facts about breast cancer that give us cause for concern and hope.

  1. 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
  2. Most breast cancer cases affect women/men with no family history of the illness.
  3. Men too can get breast cancer, although women are 100 times more likely to get it.
  4. Physical activity is one of the best ways to treat breast cancer.
  5. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is 4 times as likely that you will get cancer in the same, or different breast.
  6. Over 2.8 breast cancer survivors live in the U.S. currently.

There are many different ways to celebrate Breast Cancer awareness. Communities, neighborhoods, and entire cities organize events to celebrate and spread awareness. Among the most popular activities include walks and runs where you can either participate by running/walking or by helping organize and volunteer at the events. If you want to participate in one of these events, you can use Making Strides for Breast Cancer to find something in your area. If you want to take the tastier route, you can try some of these awesome breast cancer inspired recipes.

Pink Breast Cancer Cupcakes

Pink Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate and Pink Swiss Roll Cake

From Lakes to Locks: Preserving Ohio’s Waterways

The landscape of downtown Kent, a sprawling suburban college town nestled between the urban city of Akron, numerous state preserves and parks, and vast rural croplands, speaks to its past as a center for manufacturing and business. In the center of town one can find a beautiful historic train station, converted into the iconic Treno Ristorante and overlooking once bustling but now seldom-used train tracks. Parallel to the tracks flows the Cuyahoga River, channeled through a retired granite lock formerly used to raise and lower ships carrying goods to and from local mills and factories to cities across Ohio and Pennsylvania. Many of the factories still stand, now utilized for retail space, art galleries, and bars, their aged brick exteriors lending a unique charm to this ever-changing town.

While the city of Kent now caters more to the college crowd rather than mills and manufacturers, it is still apparent that the proximity to the Cuyahoga offers great advantage to local residents. The canal locks are no longer in use, but the river provides valuable services, such as recreation and drinking water supply. Miles of park trails snake alongside the river providing enjoyment for people and habitats for native wildlife. Fishermen and kayakers can frequently be found navigating the water alongside large-mouth bass, bluegill, and even the occasional steel-head trout, once absent from the river due to heavy pollution which ultimately culminated in the infamous Cuyahoga River fires. The historic burning of the Cuyahoga demonstrates that, in spite our reliance on the services that the river provides, humans have not always paid respect to this invaluable resource. As we manipulate Ohio’s natural landscape in an attempt to adapt to societal changes, it is important to consider the impacts of human actions on local ecosystems and how we can best minimize deleterious effects. Kent and the Cuyahoga are only a microcosm of the myriad of aquatic ecosystems facing human-induced environmental threats.

Humans have progressively demonstrated an affinity for modifying the land to suit our needs, having modified one third to one half of Earth’s land surface. Rapid, poorly planned development often leads to draining and building atop wetlands, destroying and fragmenting wildlife habitats and eliminating the valuable ecological services they provide. Wetlands are often seen as expendable land suitable only for dumping waste and acting as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, but are crucial for water purification, wildlife habitat, flood protection, groundwater recharge, soil stabilization, and many other benefits.

In addition to the destruction of wetlands, urban development leads to the replacement of permeable soil and water-retaining ground cover with impervious materials such as concrete and asphalt. While this alteration of the natural water cycle may appear to be benign, there are dangerous repercussions. When water is unable to seep into the ground or be taken up by the roots of plants, the water must drain into storm sewers and local waterways. Impervious surfaces prevent water from percolating into the soil, causing the runoff to carry pollutants directly into waterways.

Fortunately, many aspects of waterways can be evaluated in order to gain insight into the health of an ecosystem. By monitoring the abundance of specific species that rely on an aquatic environment for survival, researchers are able to determine the impact of human-induced and natural factors. Aquatic macro invertebrates, or animals that live in water, lack a backbone, and can be seen with the naked eye, are excellent indicators of the condition of aquatic systems and can be used to establish correlation between land use and ecosystem health. Macro invertebrates are extremely common, are easy to collect and study, and have varying susceptibility to environmental factors, so the presence or absence of specific species and the number of different species present are evaluated to gauge the overall health of stream.

Organizations involved in conservation efforts often work in conjunction with dedicated volunteers and citizen scientists to play an important role in monitoring the health of aquatic systems. Water quality monitoring is crucial to identify changes in temperature, pH, and oxygen levels. A rise in water temperature has been shown to be detrimental to fish eggs and the growth of young fish, while also reducing macro invertebrate populations on which fish feed. Municipal wastewater and agricultural runoff can contain excess nutrients leading to a proliferation of algal blooms. The utilization of oxygen by decomposing algae causes “dead zones”, which lack oxygen sufficient for sustaining life.

While the issues affecting water quality are abundant, there is still hope. Many local organizations in Northeast Ohio are currently working diligently to assess and protect the health of local waterways. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) consists of three treatment plants responsible for collecting and cleaning 90 billion gallons of wastewater every year. NEORSD is a major player in evaluating local water quality and working to reduce harmful environmental impacts. One of the efforts of NEORSD is Project Clean Lake, which involves a 25 year, 3 billion dollar plan to reduce Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), or the discharge of untreated municipal wastewater and storm water runoff directly into the river and lake when the current infrastructure reaches maximum capacity.

A crucial step in protecting local waterways is involving the community in individual and collective actions to minimize negative impacts and help clean up polluted areas. Fortunately, there are numerous local organization allowing the opportunity for community members to be engaged in conservation and restoration projects. The Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma offers an array of volunteer opportunities and workshops that allow community members to practice citizen science through stream and species monitoring, learn about local watersheds and ecology, or brush up on sustainable practices around the home. The Watershed Stewardship Center also offers free programs for school children, providing valuable learning opportunities for the next generation of conservationists. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/programs-events.

If you prefer to get outside and get active for the cause, then consider participating in the West Creek Conservancy’s Creatures in the Forest 5K Trail Run on Saturday, October 28th. Have fun with family and friends, run or walk through scenic terrain, and help to raise funds and awareness for the West Creek Conservancy’s efforts to create a Greener Greater Cleveland. The Conservancy works collaboratively with many local organizations to preserve and restore natural spaces and waterways and provide opportunities for community members to connect with nature. For more information on volunteer opportunities with the West Creek Conservancy or to register for the run, visit: http://westcreek.org.

Back home in Kent, my car currently sits atop the paved slope of my driveway. Should I happen to have a minor oil leak or choose to wash my car with a bucket of soapy water, these chemicals drip onto my driveway, ultimately to be swept away into a drainage pipe or seep into the groundwater with the next heavy rain. The accumulation of such seemingly minor environmental insults from millions of households and businesses can lead to devastating consequences, including algal blooms, dead zones, and toxicity to aquatic life. By simply going about our daily routines, we each inadvertently contribute to aquatic degradation. By understanding the role that each of our choices play in our local ecosystems we may better our practices to preserve species. In this time of turbulent climates, both natural and political, it is crucial that we all put forth conscious effort to make wise choices for the protection of our precious natural areas.

This article is provided by Amanda Fowler.  Amanda Fowler is a Life Support Systems Technician for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, working diligently as a part of the team responsible for maintaining the zoo’s aquatic exhibits. Through close daily monitoring of water quality parameters and multiple methods of mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration, Amanda has gained a deep understanding of the intricate biotic and abiotic components of aquatic ecosystems. This work informs and inspires a passion for water quality and conservation, the theme of Amanda’s Master’s work in biology through Miami University’s Advanced Inquiry Program. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Amanda has completed numerous projects throughout the program focusing on community education and water quality issues both in Ohio and in her current home state of California.

Healthy Living 101: Five Tips On Eating and Living Well When You’re Above 50

It’s no secret that as we grow old, our bodies turn weaker and more susceptible to diseases. For this reason, it makes sense to watch out what you eat since your body cannot handle the diet you have been used to all your life. Knowing what you eat and eating well at this stage (or at any stage in your life for that matter) will not only help you gain a healthier body but will help you avoid chronic diseases that threaten your health as you age. In this article, I will share with you some tips in order to help you determine which foods to avoid and which ones you need to consume more to promote better health. Hopefully, even those who are still in their late 20s, 30s or 40s can still pick up a tip or two that will help them get used to the idea of eating well and healthy in preparation for those more advanced years.

Disclaimer: These are tips I have gathered from research and well-meaning friends over the years. I don’t claim these to be my own and these are shared with the readers of this post with the intention of helping and getting the word out there so that more people will gain useful knowledge on this subject.  

    1. Eat plenty of veggies and fruits. This is rather general and something that we have been hearing from our parents practically all of our lives. However, no matter how much we hear it, we know that we still don’t follow this advice enough. People who are older need more of the nutrients and vitamins that they can get from fruits and veggies, so this would be the time to stock up on them. Choose greens and whole fruits because they need as much fiber and antioxidants as they can get. The ideal serving size for veggies should be around 2 cups each day.
    2. Drink plenty of water. This is another no-brainer in this case. Doctors have found that as a person grows old, their sense of thirst weakens or diminishes, making them prone to dehydration. For this reason, it is important to drink plenty of water, especially for those who have gone through a recent illness. Since old people need to eat more fiber, drinking water will also help the fiber move easily through their intestines and will help cleanse it from impurities accumulated through years of unhealthy eating.
    3. Go for less salt. Our body needs sodium, but too much of it is not good. Some older people tend to find their food tasteless, but putting more salt in their food is not the solution. You have to take note that aside from the salt you put in your food, most processed products have already been salted in the first place. People who are more than 50 years old just require 2/3 of a teaspoon of salt on a daily basis and that should already include the salt content of processed food. Instead of adding salt, you should try to use herbs and spices to add flavor and taste to your dishes.
    4. Supplement it. As much as I’m all for getting all the nutrients and minerals that we need exclusively from fruits and vegetables, it is not always the case. In such cases, supplements can aid your body make up for the nutrients it needs. Some of these supplements include calcium for stronger bones, Vitamin B12 to keep nerves and blood cells in good condition as well as Vitamin D for overall health. The elderly may need more supplements based on their needs as well as how active they have to be on a daily basis.
    5. Portion control. While this may sound like an advice for those who are trying to lose weight, this also holds true for older people. It’s easy to eat a lot when you’re still young and active since your body burns calories faster then. However, a good number of older people find that they can no longer have the active lifestyle that they used to have and their body is not as stronger as it used to be. In such cases, portion control is key. Ideally, how much you eat should depend on how active you are and if you keep stocking up on calories without burning them, you could put your health at risk. 

    Growing older can bring forth a lot of changes to an individual and the changes are not always pleasant. While it’s inevitable that an older person’s body becomes weaker with age, the rate in which this happens can be slowed down through proper diet, exercise, and overall healthy living. For those who have noticed these symptoms happening already, it’s not too late to try and make an effort to take care of your health. At the end of the day, it always pays off to eat and live well no matter what age you’re in.

Transitioning From Outdoor Fit to Indoor Fit

With the cooler weather coming soon, it is time for Ohio residents to start planning their transition from outdoor fitness activities to indoor. Northeast Ohio has a wealth of bike trails, hiking, beaches, swimming, outdoor sports and other ways to stay outside (for free) in the Summer.  But once it dips below 50 degrees, those outdoor activities seem a bit less appealing and eventually only are options for hard core outdoorsy people.

So what are some of your options this Winter to stay in shape?

Join  a Gym.  This is obvious, but one nice thing that has changed in the last few years is you can join gyms month to month and only use them in the Winter months.

Buy limited fitness equipment to stay fit at home.  A tread mill and some kettle bells might be all you need to stay beach body ready in your home.  Look for used kettle bells to save some money.

Join Indoor Sports.  We recently covered options of Indoor Tennis and Indoor Soccer.  Basketball would be another obvious one.  Maybe you can even find adult dodge ball.  There are plenty of indoor sporting opportunities for kids and adults.

Do Winter sports.  Cross country and downhill skiing are great workouts.  Snow shoe hiking?  Sure.  You can also simply hike snow trails with some extra preparation.

Watch what you eat.  There is the issue of paying close attention to your Winter diet.  Do not start eating more at night because you are spending more time in front of the television.  Do not cut back on fresh fruits and vegetables just because they cost a little bit more.  Do not stop grilling healthy lean meats just because you have to push some snow off the grill cover first.

With some advanced planning and careful attention being paid to how your habits change, you can stay fit and firm no matter how long the ground is covered in permafrost.

 

Akron Hiking Trails

Spring and summer are possibly the best seasons to start exercising, or exploring new places with your family. Fall in Ohio, with its beauty, makes it almost impossible not to wander about, or finding new places to enjoy. Trails in the Northeast Ohio area are wonderful places to spend the day with your family, while exercising, and breathing clean air. Here then is a list of trails
you will certainly enjoy in the Akron area.

1.Cascade Valley Metro Park / North
1690 Cuyahoga St,
Akron, OH 44313
(330) 867-5511

2.Cascade Valley Metro Park / South
Akron, OH 44310
Phone:(330) 867-5511

3.Sand Run Metro Park
1750 Sand Run Pkwy
Akron, OH 44313
Phone:(330) 865-8065

4. Botzum Trailhead Park
2928 Riverview Rd, Akron, OH 44313

5. Summit Metro Parks
975 Treaty Line Rd, Akron, OH 44313
Phone:(330) 867-5511

6. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
1828 Smith Rd, Akron, OH 44313
Phone:(330) 865-8065

7.Gorge Metro Park
160 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
Phone:(330) 867-5511

These are a few of the many parks and trails you will find around Akron. Pick one and re-discover nature with your family.

Fall Fitness – Things To Do Before Winter Hits

Summer is almost over and for many that means exercising outdoors is coming to an end. However, there are many fine days in fall when you can engage in various fitness activities such as hiking or biking and enjoying fall beauty or picking apples or traveling to a pumpkin patch and choosing several great looking pumpkins for your patio or porch. Running during crisp fall days is another way to get your exercise.

When running in the Fall, be sure to wear breathable, moisture-wicking clothing, as the temperatures will be much cooler. Or when walking during dark morning or evening hours, it is important to wear reflective workout clothes and carry a flashlight. For those who like to ride their bike, invest in blinking tail lights and headlights and be cautious of roads that are heavy with traffic. Other activities that you can do during the fall are learning how to tap dance, box and maybe even fence. Discounts are often available in the fall and that makes learning how to dance, box or fence that more enjoyable.

Or, if you would rather work out at home, buy several fitness DVDs or try Hulu for free workout tutorials on Exercise TV. In addition, how about buying a bike? Sometimes you will find sales on bikes during the fall season. Prices are often slashed on old models because most dealers don’t want old models taking up too much room in the showroom. Another way to exercise at home is by purchasing a rower or treadmill. Exercising during the fall has many benefits such as controlling your weight, combating health conditions and diseases, enjoying an improvement in your mood, boosting energy and engaging in activities that stimulate your brain.

To conclude, exercise is a wonderful and beneficial activity. It not only keeps you in great shape, it also helps with weight loss, improves your mood and combats health conditions and diseases. So, don’t let the cool, fall weather stop you from exercising. Try one or more of the above ways to exercise such as taking a hike and enjoying the foliage, picking some apples, riding a bike and enjoying the fall weather. Enjoy the summer while it is here but remember when fall arrives, you can still enjoy several outdoor activities. Remember, exercising keeps you fit physically and mentally; it is activity that will maintain your good physical and mental health.