How to Keep Teens Active and Exercising in the Fall

The chilly weather of the Autumn season can make it difficult to motivate anyone to exercise. This is never more true than when we are talking about teenagers. The lure of television, cell phones and laptops can make it nearly impossible to get a teen to actually step outside the house to get some fresh air and exercise. Here are some suggestions on how to get your teen to enjoy the brisk weather of the Fall and get some exercise in at the same time.

Encourage Your Teen to Help You Rake Leaves. Raking leaves is a wonderful form of exercise. The cardiovascular workout as well as the muscle toning that occurs when raking and bagging leaves is terrific. If your lawn and property is covered with a blanket of leaves, encourage your teenager to spend a few hours taking car of this seasonal chore. Once your yard is clear, offer to remove the leaves from the lawn of an elderly or needy neighbor. The more hours you and and your teenager spend clearing leaves, the more exercise you both get.

Involve Your Teen in Autumn Gardening. Fall is the time for clearing away spent bushes and flowers and setting the stage for a beautiful Spring and Summer landscape. Anyone who claims that gardening is not a form of exercise has never put in the hours to create a healthy and flourishing garden. Enlist your teen to help you with the weeding, hauling and the planting of Spring bulbs. A few hours of gardening with you each day in the Fall will surely help your teen to stay active and also contribute to the quality of your seasonal flowers and vegetables.

Have Your Teen Help You to Winterize Your Home. Certain seasonal tasks must be performed each year in order to get your home ready for the winter season. Have your teen help you to clear the gutters, clean and store the patio furniture and make any necessary repairs to your house or property that could potentially cause a problem when the harsh weather arrives. This outdoor work will give your teen a sense of purpose, the pride of contributing to the safety and security of the family and keep him active at the same time.

Ditch the Car and Send Your Teen to the Store. If your neighborhood has a corner store, feel free to send your teen down there for a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread. Hold on the the car keys and insist that your teenager uses his own two feet to get him there. A leisurely walk in the Fall weather can be very enjoyable and give your child an opportunity for some exercise. As long as the weather permits, encourage your teenager to walk to a neighborhood store to pick up essentials for the family. The fresh air and cardiovascular exercise will be very beneficial, in anticipation of a long winter filled with days spent inside.