Exercise is so important for keeping your body healthy, your mind sharp, and releasing stress. That’s said, we know that adding a workout routine into your daily schedule isn’t always the easiest—or most fun—thing to do! Here’s the good news… You don’t have to buy a gym membership, join a running club, or start weight lifting to get a decent workout. In fact, exercise is simply about getting your body moving, and it can be done in many ways. Now that the fall season is upon us, we thought we’d share some festive fall activities that will certainly give you a workout. The best part…these activities are so much fun, you won’t even realize you’re exercising! Check them out now…

Take a Hike in the Woods to See the Changing Leaves

Every year people watch in amazement as the green tree leaves turn brilliant shades of reds, yellows, and burnt oranges. It truly is a beautiful sight to see! This year, we encourage you to enjoy the color-changing leaves and take a hike through them. Not only will you be surrounded by nature’s beauty, but you’ll also get a great cardio workout. Bonus: You’ll be so emerged in your beautiful surrounds that we bet you won’t even realize you’re breaking a sweat!

Play in the Leaves in Your Back Yard

Who said playing in the leaves is just for kids? We certainly don’t think it is! Raking the leaves in your yard is an incredible upper body workout. When you have a large pile or two, get some friends together, your kids, or even your pets, and spend some time running around your backyard and jumping in your leaf piles. Who knows, you might even get an ab workout from the laughter that comes with such a fun activity!

Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is a fall favorite and a great family outing. Between walking through the orchards, climbing trees, and picking your apples, this activity requires a lot of moving around. Let’s also not forget that once you’ve collected a bucket full of apples, you’ve got to haul them back to your car! How’s that for weight lifting? The best part of getting exercise while picking apples is that you don’t have to feel guilty about making an apple pie and then eating it later. Actually, go ahead and treat yourself to two slices…after all that work, you deserve it!

Do Pumpkin Squats While Pumpkin Picking

Taking a trip out to the local pumpkin patch is another fun fall activity. Even as an adult, it’s so much fun to run through the pumpkin patches searching for the perfect pumpkin. Everyone who’s been to a pumpkin patch knows, however, that once you find the pumpkin you want, it’s your responsibility to pluck it from the vine and carry it back to the wagon that brought you out to the fields. With an average size pumpkin weighting between 12 and 18 pounds, this is the perfect opportunity for you to get a workout in while you wait for everyone to board the wagon. Hold your pumpkin tightly in your arms and do a few squats. And there you have it…pumpkin squats!

Play a Game of Flag Football

It’s football season—the perfect time of year to get your friends and family together for a friendly game of flag football. We recommend flag football because it’s safe and fun for all ages. And all you need to play is a football, a flag (or handkerchief or piece of fabric) for every player, and two teams of people who want to get some exercise and have a good time. After playing a game of backyard football, you’ve definitely earned some couch time to watch the pros play on TV.

Do you have a favorite fall-inspired exercise? Share it with us in the comments below!