What’s your favorite thing about fall? The crisp air? The eye-popping foliage? Pumpkin spice? There are so many reasons to love this season, but it’s not without its imperfections. The busy back-to-school aura, the tempting amount of baked goods, and the chilling, unpredictable weather can make it hard to prioritize eating well and staying disciplined in your exercise routine. 

Fortunately, there are several ways to transform your favorite autumn activities into impactful exercises. Give some of these exercises a try, and don’t forget to bring some portable protein snacks with you as a reward for your hard work!

Walking

Don’t overlook the power of walking! It’s one of the best exercises for maintaining weight and a great source of cardio. It’s also super easy to add into your routine. Instead of driving to the store for cider, walk. Stroll around a nearby park on your lunch break. Or you can plan fun outings like apple picking or pumpkin scouting to get your steps in. You can easily rack up 10,000 steps in an afternoon of frolicking around an orchard.

Running

If you’re looking for something a bit more fast-paced than walking, running is a great alternative. Running outside in the fall is not only beautiful as you watch the leaves fall, but more refreshing than running in the summer. If you want an extra challenge, try running with a dog, or get a group of friends to go with you. There are also many charities that do 5k or 10k races in support of great causes. Opt in for a family turkey trot as a way to set an effective training goal. Sometimes all it takes is a good motive to get you up and running!

Hiking

This is by far one of the best fall activities, because most hikes involve lots of forest foliage. You get instant gratification for your hard work because you can immediately see the beauty of nature around you. And if you hike a trail with a view, like a lookout or a waterfall, it makes the exercise so much more rewarding. Plus, it's easy to take a backpack filled with healthy snacks and drinks with you to munch on along the way. 

Biking

Biking is a fantastic low-impact form of exercise that can get you places much more quickly. If you have injuries that make exercising difficult, or just don’t feel ready to take on running or hiking yet, definitely give biking a try. An hour of biking can burn anywhere from 300 to 600 calories, and the fresh fall wind on your face as you speed along will give you a great adrenaline rush. Check out paved bike paths in your community, or even some biking trails for some leaf peeping as you bike!

Group Sports

Exercise is way more fun when you’re with other people. The cool, crisp air makes playing sports like kickball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and other activities much more bearable. There could be groups near you already that meet up to play regularly, or you can grab some friends for a spontaneous match at your local field or park to play. So long as you’re moving and having fun, you won’t even feel like you’re getting a killer workout. 

Group Classes

If the weather is not cooperating or you are looking for some more accountability, check out your local gym or fitness center for some classes. They come in all kinds of varieties, from HIIT workouts to pilates to yoga to barre to even biking. Some even offer deals to new clients or have childcare for young children so you don’t have to find a babysitter. 

Vegan Fueled Smoothies to Go

As you exercise this fall, don’t forget to bring along some Fuel For Fire smoothies. They’re the perfect snack to eat before, during, or after a workout. Since they don’t require refrigeration and are small in size, you can take them anywhere. That includes hikes, pumpkin patches, trail runs, and even workout classes. Order some today to try!