Fall - (fôl): "move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level". In life, we want to avoid falling. You don't want to fall off your bike, be the fall guy, fall behind, fall too apart or fall short. So is it any wonder that we enter the fall season with a bit of trepidation?
Don't fall to pieces! Autumn is an excellent time of year to build upon that strong summer fitness base with new and exciting workout strategies.
Even though Cycle the WAVE is over, there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor riding left. Get together with a friend/family member and do a route you've never tried. Or show up for an all-women's group ride with the
Lakemont Ladies or
Luna Chix. All levels are always welcome.
Set a rainy day cycling goal. Accumulate 40 hours of indoor cycling by December 31 (just over 3 hours a week). That's the way to finish the year off right! Be sure to reward yourself with a cycling related gift for 2011 - new bike shorts or a cute new jersey (or both)!
Create a health & fitness advent calendar for you and your family. Starting October 3, you have 90 days until the end of the year. Ask your family to contribute 10 ideas for daily wellness goals. Throw all the goals in a hat and assign one per calendar day. You can use some more than once. Here are a few ideas:
· Elevate your resting heart rate by 30 bpm for at least 15 minutes
· Drink 10 glasses of water
· Do 100 crunches
· Weekend family mountain bike ride
· Sit less than 20 minutes at a time while at home
Find a new fitness buddy. This endeavor is both charitable and self-serving. You can take pride in motivating a non-exerciser to get in shape and you get a new workout partner!
Get a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day. That's close to 5 miles. By the end of the year, you'll have over 450 miles logged! Or, aim even higher by increasing your step goal every week by 500 steps.
It doesn't really matter what you do ladies, just DO something! Turn over a new leaf this year and make fall the most fabulous season yet! BTW, Oprah says fall is the new spring.
Thank you to all that donated to 2010 Pedal partners. We raised over $27,000 with 408 individual donors, 31 rider and 9 team fundraising pages. By passing the word to family, friends and non-riders, you collectively made a significant difference in the lives of so many families affected by domestic violence.
Avoid Falling out of Fitness
By Shannon Paterson
