Physical Activity in Changing Weather

It looks like the fall foliage is peaking right now in North Jersey! Yesterday I had a leisurely walk around the block with my dog, took some pictures of the changing leaves against the bright blue sky and enjoyed stepping on the dried, crunchy leaves that were strewn on the pavement.  Fall is a special time of year in this area with classic fall activities like orchard and farm visits, hay rides, corn mazes and pick-your-own apples, pumpkins and raspberries. It’s a great time to be outside, now that the scorching summer days are behind us. With the cooler weather come different challenges for older folks with staying active. While you and your family are outside enjoying the weather and the different offerings of the season, there are some things to keep in mind to avoid injury and to stay healthy and fit during fall.

• Warm up. Cooler temperatures mean muscles and joints won’t be as limber as they are in the summer, so make sure you properly warm up before doing any physical activity.
• Wear appropriate clothes – you can always take off a layer if you get too warm, but being too cold can make you susceptible to illness, so make sure to grab that jacket before you leave.
• Don’t forget the sun. Sunscreen is just as important in the fall as it is in the summer, and can be much easier to forget. The sun’s rays are still damaging, so make sure not to go out without it.
• Stay hydrated! This is another easy one to forget because you won’t be as thirsty in the cooler weather, so avoid dehydration by upping the fluids.

What is your favorite way to stay active when the temperature falls?

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These are some of the photos I took on my walk with my dog yesterday.