The best way to take care of your body is to get some movement! We advise our patients to get active in any way they can, so here are some ideas for how you can do that this fall. Whether you live in Columbia or far away you find these things in any town.

 

1)    Go for a walk at a park and admire the changing leaves

 

Some of my favorite spots to go for a walk in Columbia are Stephens Lake Park, the MKT trail or Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

 

2)    Go for a long hike

 

Devil’s Ice Box or the Pinnacles are great for a long hike on a fall afternoon.

 

3)    Walk through a corn maze

 

Shyrocks Callaway Farms and Urban Gardens both have a great corn maze. If you get lost, you will just get some extra exercise.

 

4)    Pick apples or pumpkins

 

Not only can you getting some walking in around the farm, but you can get some healthy snacks. Nothing’s better than eating fresh apples as you pick them right off the trees. Lloyd’s Family Farm is a pick your own fruit farm in Ashland, Missouri. Eschenbrenner Farms is a pumpkin patch in Wooldridge.

 

5)    Do some spring (I mean fall) cleaning

 

Nothing’s better than breaking a sweat while cleaning the house. You’ll need to turn up the music and put on some old clothes. Then you can switch out your summer clothes and give your house a deep clean.

 

6)    Join a gym  

 

You can do this one any time of the year, but it is always a good option to increase your physical activity. The Movement Lab inside Focus on Health is a great opportunity to get some individualized fitness in your weekly routine. We offer small group fitness classes Monday-Friday.

 

7)    Walk or run a 5k

 

A 5k is a fun way to get active. Grab some friends and do it together! It is a great way to get some motivation and meet a goal.

 

 

8)    Raking leaves or plant some mums

 

Cleaning up the yard and getting ready for fall is an easy way to sneak in some physical activity. This will not only make your yard look great, but it’ll get you moving as well.

 

9)    Get your heart rate up by going to a haunted house

 

You won’t even be thinking about the fact that you’re running when you’re running from Freddie Kruger. Check out FearFest Haunted House off Highway 40.

 

10)  Visit the local Farmer’s Market

 

No better way to get your steps in than while supporting the local farmer’s market. Columbia has a fantastic farmer’s market that you should definitely check out.