photo credit evening4u on flickr

Fall is the time of year when most of the animal kingdom is storing up food and extra fat layers for winter. That doesn’t mean we have to! Fall can be the perfect time to make some positive changes to your health and fitness routine – or start one!

My first successful weight-loss story (because there were a bunch of unsuccessful ones) began in the fall. More specifically, it began the week of Thanksgiving 2009. Yes, you read that right. I made one last ditch effort to change my life four years ago and I decided to begin three days before Thanksgiving.

I lost four pounds the week that most people gain that much.

There wasn’t some magic pill behind my success. I think it was just because I had something to prove that week and once I convinced myself I could do it, I just kept going. I lost nearly 90 pounds over the course of two years and am currently trying to learn to keep it off. (Which, despite what anyone may say, is much harder than getting it off in the first place.)

So, why is fall such a great time to begin to write your weight-loss success story? One of the best reasons is the fact that the cooler weather makes fall a great time for becoming more active. Whether you’ve been stuck in a stuffy gym all summer or have been pouring sweat being active outside, the crisp air and gorgeous colors lend a new excitement to getting outside for running, walking, biking, or whatever you enjoy.

If you have been active outdoors all summer, the lower temperatures make it easier to go farther and pick up the pace. Even if you live in an area of the country where fall is really cool, my outdoor workout philosophy is: When it’s cold outside I know I’m going to warm up once I get moving; when it’s hot outside, I’m only going to get hotter.

photo credit imaffo on flickr

In addition to the cooler weather, the influx of a whole new batch of seasonal produce is the perfect catalyst for getting out of mealtime ruts. Apples, the quintessential fall fruit, make a delicious, healthy snack – as long as you’re not baking them in a pie or frying them in a fritter every time you eat them!

An apple along with a piece of string cheese, some yogurt, or peanut butter are all excellent choices.

In addition to apples, fall is a great time for soups. Most broth-based soups are good, healthy choices. With all of the fall produce, a veggie stew or even chili with lean meat (or no meat) makes a quick and easy lunch or dinner, especially when you add the convenience of a slow cooker.

Maybe one of the best reasons to revamp your health and fitness routine (or start one) is the simple fact that fall is followed by winter. You know what that means – Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, candy, baked goodies and a generally more sedentary season. If you start improving your exercise and eating habits now, they’ll be well on their way to becoming habit by the time temptations become abundant.

Not only that, but the darker, shorter days of winter can result in the onset of seasonal depression for many people. A healthy diet and regular exercise can go a long way toward alleviating those symptoms. It’s hard to convince yourself to eat right and exercise once those blue feelings have begun, but much easier if those good habits are already in place.

It doesn’t matter if you’re already somewhat active and eating well or if you haven’t even begun to make the changes you’d like to make. Fall is a great time to revamp your health and fitness routine – or start one! The sense of purpose can be very motivating.

What changes do you need to make to improve your overall health and activity levels?

Fall is a BEAUTIFUL time of year. In many parts of North America we experience a gradual change in weather – from the hot, humid, still days of summer, to the cool, drier, breezy days of fall. The mornings and evenings are crisp, the smell of earth is in the air, the leaves are changing color – and so do our wardrobes!

It is important for a woman to take care of her appearance. Our focus should always be first on our inner beauty and relationship with Christ, but there is nothing wrong with dressing nicely and fashionably. Even the Proverbs 31 woman is described as being dressed in fine linen and purple!

As a “new” mom again this fall (my baby girl is just about 10 months), I’ve been having some fun putting together outfits, incorporating some of what I already have in my closet, along with some new transition pieces.

Finding the balance of versatility as a nursing mom, going for comfort and style, while still trying to work with a post-pregnancy body, may present some challenges.

I hope that the ideas here will encourage you to take charge of your body and wardrobe, and give you some ways to enjoy getting dressed comfortably, but nicely, for fall.

Tops – Tunic, cardigan and button-down

Let’s start by talking about tops. Shirts, tanks, Ts. Nothing fits quite right and you don’t have a lot of money to spend on new items.

Here’s what you can focus on using for fall:

Tank tops and t-shirts paired with cardigans work well for the cool mornings. If you find your current shirts are a little short, invest in a couple of nursing tanks (my favourites are from Undercover Mama) to add length and stay covered up.

Button-down blouses or shirts are an easy way to add something different to your wardrobe.

Tunic and looser fitting tops allow for extra room in the tummy area and are loose and comfortable for everyday, but still stylish enough for going out (even if it IS just to get diapers!).

Short-sleeve everything is perfectly all right, as body temperatures for a mom tend to change very quickly! Avoid wearing heavy sweaters (unless it’s really cold and you’re going to be outside) and instead layer up with lighter-weight shirts and cardigans.

Pants – STREEETCH

You could, of course, just keep wearing your maternity pants. And that’s ok, for a while! But when you’re ready to move on to the next stage, here are a couple of really great options for pants:

Leggings or jeggings are a LIFE saver. They stretch everywhere you need them to without losing shape. Wear them under a dress or with a tunic top for a comfy yet fun fashion look. Pull on a pair of boots and you are all fall-ready!

High-rise or mid-rise jeans do NOT work for everyone. But I loved wearing them while I was waiting for my other jeans to fit again, as I didn’t have to worry about the muffin top. It’s a nice way to stay fashionable while comfortable.

Dresses

Dresses have to be the most difficult article of clothing to work around as a new mom. Our shapes are all different and a lot of dresses don’t fit us well. But armed with a few tips, you CAN find some fun little pretties that will bring a smile to your face.

Try to avoid jersey dresses – these hug right where you don’t want them to and tend to stretch out oddly. Go with a thicker cotton blend instead, with a little bit of stretch.

Partial-button down in the front is a great idea for quick and easy baby access. Another option is a dress with straps that will slip off easily.

Footwear

Since you will most likely be carrying your baby in your arms a lot, you don’t want to have to fiddle around with fancy footwear too often.

Keep things simple – a slip on pair of shoes, pull on boots and low-rise heels will add the extra touch for when you’re ready to go out, while still keeping your feet (and back) supported.

Accessories

One of my favourite things about dressing for fall is the accessories! You can add a lot of beauty to a simple outfit with just a couple of extra touches.

Scarves – oh how I love scarves! There are so many creative ways out there to tie them, so even if you only have a scarf or two, you can always make it look different! If you are able to get an oversized scarf, you can also use it as a nursing cover. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colours and patterns with your tops.

Jewelry – if you have pierced ears, change out your earrings to coordinate with your outfit once in a while. Just make sure little baby hands can’t get a hold on them and pull!

Necklaces are fun and easy to find for cheap, plus they’re a great emergency occupation for a babe-in-arms when we’re stuck in the check out line.

Add some colour to your nails and bangles to your wrist – they double as a great nursing reminder too.

Colour –

Black is STILL the new black! (Not to mention it’s extremely slimming.) BUT don’t be afraid to add some colour to your wardrobe, even if it is just in the form of accessories. We are surrounded by so much of the beauty and inspiration of fall that God has created, enjoy it! Think rich purples, greens, blues and yellows.

How to have a fresh, frugal wardrobe –

Now before you go saying you don’t have any money to spend on a new wardrobe, there are ways to find new things for reasonable prices, if not even free. Shop your friends’ closets, trade clothing and accessories and you’ll be amazed at the new combinations you can come up with.

Pick a few key, versatile pieces to add to your wardrobe that can be accessorized in order to create a number of different outfits.

Check out second hand stores or online sales. Combine coupons and deals to get the best price for your dollar.

What are your favourite fall wardrobe pieces?