The new year is considered the ideal time to hit reset on your health and fitness goals. There is some truth to it. The new year is considered a new beginning. Fall is also a fantastic time to recommit to fitness goals or set new goals. According to research, only 9% of the people are successful in pursuing their new year’s resolutions long term. Fall is a perfect time to reflect on the year so far, and change the gears on some of the plans that aren’t working.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus

In September, kids are back in school, summer vacations are over, the foliage is changing, the sun sets earlier, and the weather is getting chillier. Fall is a time for so many significant transitions. According to Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman, “fresh starts are an ideal time to kick-start change.”
A fresh start! That’s all we need to commit to new behaviors and build new habits. Speaking for myself, fall is my early new year. There is magic in the crisp air and the change of color of leaves that helps me set fresh and new goals. As the season changes, it can be the season of change for YOU.

Here are five tips on setting health and fitness goals this fall.

Pick three goals- Last few months of the year are upon us. Pick three goals. Write them on a commitment contract and stick the contract on your mirror. Now is the time to start visualizing yourself in the new year. How do you want to welcome the new year? As a couch potato or as a runner? Cigarette in hand or a celery stick? Gaining muscle or extra inches on the waist? Talk with a Fitness Coach about those pending fitness goals.

Start a Healthy Routine- Now that the summers are behind us, let’s set a healthy routine for the day. We flourish when healthy essentials are set in a daily routine: sleep, wake, eat, exercise, and work; repeat.

Put an Event on Your Calendar- One of the biggest reasons I love fall is, its running race season. I have been racing every fall for the last five years. This is the time when my training peaks. There are plenty of competitive and community events to sign-up for. Try a 5K or bike race. Work with a fitness coach to increase your endurance and strength. Signing up for an event and training for it is one of the best ways to stick to your goals.

Add Variety to Your Fitness Routine- Just like the leaves change color in fall, your fitness routine should also change every three to four weeks. This is the time it takes your body to adapt to an existing stimulus. Join a new Virtual Fitness class. Hit the pavement, take your bike out, or go for a swim. Keep your body guessing just like the changing colors of the trees.

Let Go of the Past- Fall brings Halloween. Halloween symbolizes the past and honoring it. It also represents letting go. Fall is a time to learn from nature to let go of the past. Nature provides us with proof of how beautiful it is to let go. Let go of the things that don’t serve you and celebrate the beginning of new knacks, behaviors, and mindsets. Let fall be a fresh start—one of self-acceptance and gratification.

Get started on your fall goals today. You will be able to set the goals without any social pressure. Plus, you’ll get a head start on your goals, and you will have time to adjust your course as you begin working through them. You will have the momentum going. Come new year’s others will start working towards their goals, you’ll be enjoying the results.