Healthy Mom’s Fall Bucket List

Make the most of this season by checking off these items on a healthy fall bucket list. You will be setting yourself up for a fun and fit season.

Fall used to be my favorite season.

It was the season of cross country team running and lots of time on the trails.

In the last couple of years, my favorite season has changed to summer. Maybe it is because summer meant uninterrupted time with my kids when I was still teaching. Summer means lots of time in the water and hot days where I do not need to wrangle squirmy arms into coats and gloves.

Regardless of my favorite season, I still enjoy fall. Instead of trying to master some massive bucket list for the season, there are eight things that I keep on my healthy mom’s fall bucket list to make sure I am not sacrificing my health to the colder weather, heavier foods, and shorter days.

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Run a turkey trot (even a virtual one)

If there is a reason to run a race, I am in.

A Thanksgiving day 5k is the perfect way to start your holiday morning. Even though many 5k’s are going virtual this year, like the Woodbury Wobble that Rob and I race direct, it still gives you that extra motivation to get out and moving before feasting.

If you do have your sights set on a turkey trot, make sure you start training now. It takes 12 weeks to train for a 5k using the Finish Line Strong Training Plan so you can cross that finish line feeling strong and ready for more.

Not able to run? You can also try this Pre-Feast Workout to get in a solid sweat.

Eat an apple a day

We picked about 40 pounds of apples this year and they are insanely delicious. Normally I eat an apple a day and I have had to hold myself back from eating two.

Whether you go apple picking at an orchard, or at the grocery store, apples are in season right now and so tasty. Stock up on a bunch now to much for the next few weeks.

You could even buy a few extra to make some apple muffins, apple sauce, or apple pie.

Do a Halloween themed workout

While there is no lack of festivities during Halloween, make sure you get in a workout before they all start. You will be so glad you did before you are working on decorating, trick or treaters, and watching a scary movie.

Try these workouts for a little Halloween fun.

Come up with creative uses for Halloween candy

There always seems to be extra Halloween candy laying around. We currently have a small handful still on top of the fridge that we have all forgotten about.

Instead of holding onto it, because you know all that is left is the pieces no one really likes, find other ways to use it. There is a whole list of great ideas here.

My top favorites are to donate it or send it off in a care package.

Take on the Walktober challenge

October is a great time to start a movement or health challenge and Walktober gives you that opportunity to join in with a few friends to focus on your fitness and your nutrition.

You can also start your own health challenge with a few friends. A few ideas to start your own challenge:

• 5 for 7 Vegetable Challenge

• Cook meatless meals once per week for the month
• Move 31 miles during the month of October or 30 miles for November
• Try the November Challenge

Set up your home gym for the winter

Pretty soon the weather is going to push us all more indoors. Make sure your home gym is ready to go now so you are not scrambling on that first snowy day to find the equipment you need.

I keep my home gym very simple with a set of Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells, which I adore. Read the full review of these dumbbells here.

I also include a sturdy yoga mat for core work, a bluetooth speaker, and a treadmill. Keep your home gym simple!

You should spend some time learning how to run on a treadmill properly for your home gym or your real gym to prevent injury and maximize your treadmill time.

This quick and to the point course of How to Run on a Treadmill and 14 Treadmill Interval Workouts will teach you everything you need to know.

Pick out a workout plan

So often I see clients picking random workouts off of Pinterest to use with no rhyme or reason to their progression.

Instead of spending another winter doing random workouts with no real results, get a solid workout plan that will focus on your cardio conditioning, core stability, body tone, and functional strength.

The 6 Week Full Body Tone Routine gives you all of that in a workout plan designed with videos of every move and workouts you can do in your home with a set of dumbbells.

You can also grab a free Two Week At Home Workout Plan here to get you started.

Fill your freezer

With the darker mornings, shorter days, and busier schedules, getting nutritious meals on the table gets harder.

Fill your freezer with healthier meals so you know dinner is done. You will be so thankful you did on the days when the winter blues are taking a toll and you just do not want to cook.

A few freezer-friendly recipes to try:

• Almond Joy Energy Bites
• Breakfast Burritos
• Make Ahead Freezer Vegetarian Breakfast Sandwiches
• Iron Packed Spinach Balls
• Lightened Up Broccoli Chicken Casserole
• Summer Minestrone

While you work to accomplish all of these health fall bucket list items, make sure you check off a few other fall bucket list items as well. Things like apple picking, drinking something with pumpkin spice, and indulging in pumpkin pie help round out some of the best parts of the season.

Make your freezer stocking time more efficient with Freezer Feasts. Start with Set 11, which you can only get by signing up for my email list. It includes a breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack that are all freezer friendly.

Print the shopping list and follow the plan of attack to get everything made in no time.

Get your copy of Set 11 here.