Health Advisor is a column where contributors share their knowledge in fields ranging from fitness to psychology, pediatrics to aging.
Workout routines in the summer can be very different than the rest of the year, especially if you have kids. Summer presents organic opportunities for adventure: exploring on a hike up the mountain, swimming at the lake or just running around in the backyard. It's two months of small workouts that are more play than anything else. And it's awesome.
Just the other day I had my dog and my younger daughter on my paddleboard while my older daughter paddled her own board. It was a crazy fun time and it didn't feel like a workout at all, even though we were at it for almost an hour.
But now that school is underway and the kids are back in their programs and classes, there aren't as many opportunities for play workouts. All the fun we've been having outside happens less often and as the weather changes it becomes harder and harder to keep active.
So what is the best way for adults to keep fit when this routine shifts?
Explore what is available at local rec centres and gyms, and then work around your kids' schedules and your work commitments to continue with the physical activity you've been doing almost unknowingly throughout the summer.
Depending on where you are in Canada, moving things indoors can be a necessity. In Victoria, I can keep paddleboarding year round – but let's be honest, it can be miserable in the west coast wind and rain, and only a person with an obsessive personality (aka me) will keep that kind of activity up.
Activities like bootcamps, swim classes, recreational soccer, even Flamenco dancing, can be a great way to keep fit. Also, it's important to find something that you enjoy. If you've got a competitive side, try finding a squash partner and start crushing him or her on the court. If you're not competitive, do a group class of some kind. I have friends who do kettle bell or yoga or spin classes. These classes are typically about 45 minutes long, so they're easy to fit in and they have great physical outcomes. You could also arrange to do something with your kids that still feels like play; try going to a climbing gym that has combined classes, for example.
We all have smartphones now and there are some terrific apps out there to help you form habits. Apps like Habit Flow can help you with reminders and "days in a row" check marks to get in a routine and keep you there.
At the end of the day, what matters is that you simply continue to be active. Summer often gets us in shape and then we nest during winter, losing whatever gains we've made. Finding fun activity that you enjoy and building it into your schedule will help you maintain your fitness and stay healthy.
Simon Whitfield is the Director of Sports with the Fantan Group in Victoria, BC. Until recently he was better known for moving quickly in a Speedo, carrying the flag in London, and winning medals at the Olympic Games. Outside the office, the day finds him paddle boarding off the coast of Victoria, partnering with Triton Triathlon, Velofix, and Champion System, and dancing with his two girls. Follow him on Twitter @simonwhitfield.