Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Schedule a Tour Today

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
GroupID

8 Ways to Stay Active When the Weather Changes

Sep 10, 2019

The thought of cooler temperatures – maybe even a nip of frost in the air – can sound awfully refreshing after the oppressive, muggy heat of summer. It’s also a time when many of our routines change, such as grandkids going back to school or a club starting back up after a summer break. It’s easy to let an exercise routine fall to the wayside, especially if you do a lot of outdoor things that can be postponed due to rain, cold or other seasonal weather changes. It doesn’t help that we also start gravitating towards richer, heavier and delicious meals like stews, chili and roasts, either.

“Even as the weather cools, it’s still very important to maintain an exercise routine and stay active,” says Lynda Marino, Marketing Director at Canterbury Woods Gates Circle, a Life Care Community in Buffalo, NY. “If you keep finding ways to put it off, not only will it be that much harder to get back into it, but you could be jeopardizing your health. The daily recommended dose of exercise doesn’t change with the seasons, so it’s important to find new, yet easy ways to stay active no matter what the weather.”

Here are some ways active adults can keep their blood pumping throughout fall, winter and into spring – instead of falling into a hibernation mode.

  1. Head indoors.

It may not be as scenic to run on a treadmill when you’ve been taking a morning jog in the park. But it sure beats risking a fall on ice or waterlogged paths. Look into your local fitness centers to see what’s convenient for you, and be sure to ask about senior discounts. You may also be able to nab a promotion, since fall and winter are usually slow times for gyms.

If you’re more a “stroll around the block” type of person, head to a nearby shopping mall or indoor track to see what options are available. And if you’d rather stay fit from the comfort of your own home, there are more options than ever thanks to Netflix, Hulu and about a zillion YouTube videos. Don’t have the equipment you need on hand? Hit Craigslist or your neighborhood swap and shop to see who’s trying to offload an exercise machine (there’s always someone).

  1. Try something new.

Since your exercise routine has to change a little bit, why not try a new activity? It’s natural to look for change in ourselves as the weather changes, so take a look around and see what activities you’ve been meaning to try (or what new activities might be available during that particular season). For example, fall is a great time to take nature walks and do a little birdwatching, too. In winter, there’s skiing, snowshoeing and all sorts of fun wintertime activities. Don’t forget that there are activities that aren’t specifically exercise-related but will help you stay active, like raking leaves, a scenic hike, shoveling snow, picking apples or gardening.

  1. Make a schedule and stick to it.

Making a plan to do something is half the battle. (The other half is actually doing what you intend to do.) If you carve out time in your routine that’s specifically set aside for activities, you’ll be more likely to stick to your plans. Schedule it on your calendar just like you schedule other important events, like club meetings or a doctor’s appointment, and treat it as an essential, important part of your schedule (which it is).

  1. Find a workout buddy.

Another way to stay motivated is to be held accountable. Grab a friend and make plans to regularly meet up for tennis, a morning walk or whatever active thing you both enjoy doing. While joining a club can keep you somewhat accountable, having just one other person who’s relying on you on a regular basis will help you get off the couch and get moving, even when you don’t feel like it.

  1. Be prepared.

Staying active is a lot easier when you’re dressed for the weather. Now’s the perfect time to get a new pair of running shoes, buy some thermals and invest in good exercise clothes that will keep you warm without making you overheat. Investing in proper gear will also keep you safe as roads become slicker and the risk of hypothermia increases.

  1. Set some goals.

Having a challenge to work towards will help you stay motivated. Is there a destination you’d like to hike when the weather turns warm again? Would you like to be able to take your grandkids to an amusement park next summer, so you’ll need to keep up with them? Or is it something personal, like being able to continue walking up and down all your flights of stairs without getting winded? Choose something that’s meaningful to you and make that your “north star” for your cool weather workouts.

  1. Keep yourself healthy.

It’s hard to stay active if you’re not feeling well. As the weather drives us indoors, we’re exposed to more germs as well as common fall and winter illnesses like colds and the flu. Here are some good rules to follow to keep yourself healthy indoors and out.

  • Eat a balanced and healthy diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean proteins and healthy fats
  • Visit your doctor so that a small problem doesn’t balloon into a bigger one
  • Get a flu shot
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Drink plenty of fluids, and not overdoing caffeinated beverages and alcohol
  • Make sure you get plenty of sleep each night
  1. Have fun.

Doing something you enjoy will make being an active adult that much easier, says Lynda. “No one feels motivated to do things we don’t enjoy, so you might as well choose activities that will get you excited to stay active,” she says. “At Canterbury Woods Gates Circle, we know that staying active is incredibly important to aging well, so we have a wide variety of activities for our residents to enjoy. We strive to make it easy for seniors to stay healthy and active, and have fun doing it, too.”

For more information about Canterbury Woods Gates Circle, our events or simply to learn more about our Life Care Community, please call us at (716) 427-6678.

Find Your Fulfillment

Planned as the centerpiece of a unique intergenerational community, Canterbury Woods Gates Circle is a Life Care Community like you’ve never seen. Urban, contemporary, and close to everything, this is a community that confirms what you already know: how you live has everything to do with where you live. Canterbury Woods Gates Circle offers the highest quality lifestyle and security. While offering the charm and livability of the Elmwood neighborhood, it also boasts the financial strength, impeccable reputation and reciprocal access to its sister community, Canterbury Woods Williamsville.

A Life Engaged. A Life Inspired.

With the excitement and energy of a revitalized Buffalo at your front door, you can immerse yourself in a diverse world of cultural pursuits and pleasures. Research tells us that connections are what a healthy and fulfilling retirement and a more fulfilling life are all about. At Canterbury Woods Gates Circle, connections have never been easier. The intergenerational neighborhood concept of our campus, with nearby residential apartments and retail spaces, creates a natural centerpiece for socialization and activity, surrounding you with neighbors and new friends of all ages.

Continuum of Care.

As a Life Care Community, Canterbury Woods Communities provide a comfortable environment and first-rate services to support every level of need. Assisted living apartments allow Gates Circle residents to benefit from additional support while maintaining their independent lifestyle. If skilled nursing, rehabilitation or memory care is ever needed, residents can experience the support they require at our sister community in Williamsville.

Contact us today to discover more about Canterbury Woods Gates Circle. (716) 427-6678

Share Article:
You can grow fresh tomatoes and beautiful blooms on your terrace

You can grow fresh tomatoes and beautiful blooms on your terrace

You’ve decided you’re ready to enjoy a vibrant, active retirement life and you’re going to move into a beautiful new apartment home at Canterbury Woods Gates Circle. If you’ve enjoyed gardening at your previous residence, you might be wondering how you can continue that pursuit.
Loading...