Why This Might Be The Best Time To Jump Into A Fitness Routine

Joe Bocek

“Is it really pumpkin spice season again?” I ask myself while waiting in line at The Big Bean, our local coffee shop.

Our lazy summer days have turned into structured affairs of school, practice and homework. Running to chase fireflies has morphed into sprinting to catch the school bus.

We are back to routines, juggling roles such as homework checker, parent teacher organization (PTO) attendee, and taxi driver for our kids and their friends.

For many people, this return to routine is a great chance to restart habits or try something new. Getting back to some structure and regularity can feel refreshing and motivating.

Additionally, some people are entering a new phase of life, venturing into uncharted territory.

For the first time, you might find yourself with kids who are a little older and more independent — maybe they are driving themselves or riding with friends and are less reliant on us, their parents, day to day. Suddenly, you may have more free time and flexibility.

Or perhaps you have one or more kids off to college or beyond, and you find yourself searching for new dinner plans and weekend activities. While this is a significant change and transition, it also presents an amazing opportunity to focus on yourself.

For example, during a recent call with a member of our gym, Park Fitness, we discussed their goals and the progress they have made.

This individual has been scheduling and showing up to workouts consistently, creating new nutrition habits, and truly embracing our coaching. They shared that with the kids off to college and busy with life, they found themselves with free time they haven’t had in years.

This new chapter made starting, or restarting, the habit of fitness the perfect focus to jump into.

Of course, everyone's situation is different. Some gym goers are managing fitness with toddlers and newborns, while others balance life amid drop-offs, rehearsals and practices.

However, for many with older kids, finding a little more time can be the perfect opportunity to do something for yourself and your well-being.

Getting healthier, stronger and more fit can contribute to a longer life, an expanding family, and new adventures ahead — one of the greatest things you can do for yourself.

Perhaps it can also help fill some of the extra time you may have. From starting a couch-to-5K program to diving into a new fitness community, this next chapter could very well be one of your best in its own way.

Here’s to drinking pumpkin spice lattes and embarking on your new fitness journey!