Did you know that October is National Apple Month? Apples are such tasty fruits and have many benefits, not to mention they are easy to pack for a beautiful fall hike! Let’s explore some healthy fall fitness habits to adopt this month.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Forming healthy eating habits is essential to longevity and vitality. Exercise only accounts for about 30 percent, whereas diet amounts to the rest. Apples are a great seasonal snack to enjoy and have many health benefits. Apples support brain and digestion health and are an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin C and many antioxidants. Suppose you are on a diet stall, eat only apples for a day (up to six). This will trigger the body and get you out of the plateau. There are a variety of apples, from sweet ones like Gala, red, and Pink Lady to more tart ones like Granny Smith or Honey Crisp. And what better time to enjoy apples than when they are in season and cheap to buy? Visit an apple orchard this season and pick fresh apples. Fresh apple cider is also a must! However, look at the nutritional label and how much sugar is in it, particularly the added sugars. The added sugars are sneaky, unhealthy additives.
After gathering your apples, it’s time to embark on an exhilarating adventure and discover new trails for beautiful fall nature hikes. Download some apps to see which trail best suits your needs. AllTrails is a popular one that allows you to see the hike’s difficulty level and reviews from other hikers. You can also filter your preferences to give you the best possible hike. For example, if you want more of a scenic trail, you can filter it by difficulty, length, elevation, and attractions. Usually, the more picturesque trails are generally a bit more difficult since the better views are at higher elevations. After you input your preferences, AllTrails will give you information like the trail description, directions, and weather conditions. This is also where you can read reviews from others. It also has a built-in GPS, so if you lose cell range, it will still work.
When hiking in the fall season, always remember safety. In the cooler weather, wear layers so that when the sun heats up during the afternoon, you can remove some clothing. However, you might need to add that layer for the golden hour. Carry a map or compass if cellular service range is lost. Bring a battery charger, just in case your smart device battery dies. Always let someone else know you are going on a hike, especially if going solo. Pack a first aid kit and always have plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Fall fitness challenges
Challenge yourself this month and hike for a certain number of miles for the season. If 10,000 steps are your average daily step range, aim for 12,000 to 15,000 this month. OrangeTheory gym does “Hell Week” at the end of October to challenge everyone more. They will increase resistance on the row machines or incorporate burpees between running sets. Then, in the end, those who have completed the whole week receive a cool shirt and socks, representing that you conquered and triumphed over one of its toughest challenges. Those who conquer have well-deserved bragging rights for the rest of the year. Bring that same mentality when you go on hikes this month and reward yourself with something unique. Feel the pride of completing these challenges and let it motivate you to keep pushing your limits.
Capture the best fall foliage photos on your hikes, or try hikes under the stars at night. There are plenty of celestial events in October, which will make night hikes more enchanting! The Draconid meteor shower will be on October 8 and 9 from the constellation Draco, the dragon. Then, on October 14, the moon meets Saturn at nightfall and will be visible from the naked eye. The next Super full moon is October 17, which will be the closest of the year. Finally, on October 24-28, Venus will shine bright to a -4.0 magnitude. So pick one of these dates and get out of the city lights for a night of magical, mystical moments.
May the beauty of these natural events inspire you to get out and explore the world around you with an apple in hand!
