3 Ways To Get Healthy Before Fall

Did you know that the average person gains 7-10 pounds over the holidays? Weight gain isn’t the only pitfall, though. With the onset of colder temperatures, more Sundays spent indoors watching football, and the procession of never-ending parties, we lose sleep, our skin suffers, and we can easily become generally unhealthy. Don’t let bikini season be the only thing that keeps you motivated to live a life that’ll make you proud. Get a jump on it! Read on for three ways to get healthy before fall (and it's accompanying cheese-laden football appetizers!).

Re-Think Your “Diet”

So many people go on endless diets and cleanses and, while some of these can be very healthy, people generally need a new outlook on the way they eat. Instead of eeking it out to your “cheat day”, how about you allow yourself some of your favorite treats on a regular basis but in moderation? Think in terms of portion sizes and eat smaller amounts throughout the day so you don’t get too hungry. If you don’t do that, your low blood sugar could cause you to make bad decisions. As Cleveland dietitian Amy Jamieson-Petonic notes via WebMD, “Once you’ve crossed the 5-hour mark, your blood sugar begins to plummet, and you grab whatever you can to refuel.”

We all know that feeling of grocery shopping when we’re starving. Doritos? Sure! Cupcakes? Yeah, throw them in the cart. There’s only so much to our willpower, right? Try to avoid having treats that you know you can’t control yourself within the house. But don’t deny yourself, say, if your family goes out for ice cream. Instead of an all-or-nothing mentality—like thinking that this one ice cream has ruined everything and now you can work your way through your snack stash—consider allowing yourself the treat. But then get back to your healthy eating. We know this is easier said than done but the more you practice changing your outlook on food, the more your new attitude towards it will become a way of life.

Don't get healthy because it's bikini season. Care for your body and stay healthy year round. Here are 3 tips to get healthy before fall

Adopt a Seasonal Skincare Routine

Don’t treat your skin the same way year-round, as different times of the year and its differing weather patterns call for varying ways to treat it. Bacteria from sweating is more likely to cause breakouts during the summer, but you may have a genetic propensity to breakouts. Diagnosing acne is the first step in treating it, so do some research on the causes behind your blemishes and treat them accordingly.

During fall, you likely live in a place that will give you some colder temperatures—a hint of winter, if you will—so be ready with your skincare. As dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mt. Sinai Hospital Dr. Joshua Zeichner notes via Refinery29, “As winter temperatures fall and the air gets drier, your skin pays the price.” He goes on to add, “This can lead to cracks in the outer layer of skin, loss of hydration, and ultimately, inflammation.” As those temperatures begin to drop, it’s more important than ever to moisturize well and drink plenty of water. The latter can be hard to remember, as the cold weather doesn’t make us as thirsty, so consider filling up a large water bottle to bring with you to work or even at home as a reminder to drink up.

Find an All-Weather Workout

Sure, going for a run during the spring and summer is great but, as fall’s temperatures begin to dip, this can become less enticing. Make sure you have something on tap that you enjoy doing indoors. These days, the options are seemingly endless. Between the ever-popular Orange Theory, the cult-like (not really but people do love this with a passion!) Crossfit, and the yoga or bar classes you can likely find on any corner, the choices make for little excuse to skip a workout. If you’re low on funds, you can join an affordable gym, and many of these have wonderful classes on-site. If a gym membership of any kind isn’t within your grasp at the moment, let someone like Jillian Michaels give you a great, butt-kicking workout right in the comfort of your own home! You can buy a few cheap sets of weights or even use things you have on hand. Again, that excuse you’ve been using about colder temperatures? It’s not looking good.

Don’t let summer be your sole season of good health. Get a jump on the colder temperatures and use these tips to get healthy before fall.