Fall Back Into Fitness

During the free-form days of summer, vacations, picnics, and carefree attitudes can all get in the way of healthy eating and weight control. January may be the traditional time to start a weight loss program, but with kids back in school and routines becoming more structured, fall is the perfect time to launch a diet and fitness regimen.

Even the fall weather can serve as an inspiration to be active and eat more healthfully. It’s the perfect time of year to hit the hiking trail or bite into a crisp, delicious apple. Just breathing the fresh fall air makes you feel healthier. In fact, in a survey of 1,500 moms

conducted by the National Dairy Council’s “3-A-Day of Dairy” program, participants said fall is the ideal season to jump-start healthy eating and exercise programs.

The moms said they look forward to getting back to their regular routines (53%) and having more time to focus on themselves (41%) when their kids go back to school. They ranked summer second (behind the winter holidays) as the time of year when they tended to put on the most weight.

“Routines are ideal for helping people, especially moms, find time to fit in fitness, prepare healthier meals and make sure they take care of their own personal health needs,” says Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokeswoman.