Why Autumn Is Ideal Time For Weight Loss

The summer sun is coming to an end and the nights are drawing in, which may make many people hide under baggy jumpers and tuck into warming cups of hot chocolate for the foreseeable. However, autumn is a great time to kickstart healthy eating plans, so don’t let the season stand in your way of your weight loss goals. 

While many men and women tend to embark on a diet after the indulgence of Christmas or in the lead-up to a foreign holiday when they suddenly realise they’ll have to spend a considerable amount of time in their bathing suit, it is autumn when you should be concentrating your efforts on eating well and exercising.

Here are a few reasons why:

No big social plans

Unlike the summer when you have barbecues every other weekend or Christmastime when your diary is full of social gatherings, family dinners and plenty of excuses to eat chocolate and drink alcohol, this season is relatively quiet. This means your healthy eating regime will not be sabotaged by big nights out and you can fully concentrate on your goals. 

As Saga puts it: “You’ve a bit more time perhaps to think about yourself and what you and your body need and want.”

Mild weather

Some find the summer sun too hot to exercise in, while others are put off by the dark nights and freezing temperatures of the winter. However, autumn is usually relatively mild, so you don’t have to worry about breaking a sweat as soon as you head out the door or slipping over on the ice, making it the easiest time of the year to fit in some exercise. 

What’s more, the sun stays in the sky long enough to fit in a run after work. In September, the sun doesn’t set until between 1900 and 2000, while it begins to get dark before 1600 by the time November comes to an end. So, it is sensible to make the most of the bright evenings and go for a long walk, run a few kilometres, or do an outdoor bootcamp before you settle down for the night. 

Back to a normal routine

While most parents are sick of their daily routine by the end of July, they are itching to get back to it by the time the holidays come to an end. Therefore, they are more likely to throw themselves into a fitness or healthy eating plan as the autumn term begins, longing for some structure in their lives again. 

According to a survey by the National Dairy Council, 53 per cent of mums said they look forward to getting back to their routines at the end of summer, while 41 per cent claimed they get excited about being able to focus on themselves again. 

Cynthia Sass from the American Dietetic Association said: “Routines are ideal for helping people, especially mums, find time to fit in fitness, prepare healthier meals and make sure they take care of their own personal health needs.”

After indulging in ice-creams, barbecues, picnics and creamy puddings over the hotter months, while also not having the time to fit in exercise when looking after the children all day long, many parents find they have the time and incentive to cook and eat better, and focus on their workouts in the autumn. 

No pressure

Some people are more disciplined when they have something they want to get into shape for, but for others, this can be too much pressure and can result in fad dieting, over-exercising, under-eating, or giving up entirely. 

However, there is just over three months from September to Christmas events, which means those wanting to shed a few pounds can do so in a healthy, consistent, and manageable way. 

If you want to get into shape over the next few months, take a look at weight loss pens designed to control appetite.