By Erik Olsson, MBA, ACSM-CPT, EIM®
Operations Director, Lake Nona YMCA
As summer comes to an end and fall routines begin to take shape, it’s a great time to keep the healthy habits you’ve built going.
While Florida’s calendar may say fall, the heat and humidity can stick around for months. That means staying active safely is still important, especially as families transition back to school, work, and busier schedules.
At the YMCA, we believe staying active doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re swimming, walking, strength training, joining a Group Exercise class, or simply finding ways to move with your family, small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference.
6 Ways to Keep Moving Into Fall
1. Find Your Indoor Fitness Routine
When Florida temperatures make outdoor activity uncomfortable, take your workout indoors. The YMCA offers wellness floors, pools, gymnasiums, walking spaces, and a variety of ways to stay active year-round.
2. Make Movement Part of Your Routine
As schedules get busier, consistency matters more than perfection. Try setting aside time each week for movement, whether it’s a morning workout, an evening walk, or a weekly class at the Y.
3. Try Something New
Fall is a great time to switch up your routine. Explore a new workout, try strength training, swim a few laps, or join a Group Exercise class. Finding activities you enjoy can make staying active something you look forward to.
4. Stay Hydrated
Florida heat doesn’t disappear when summer ends. Continue drinking water throughout the day, especially before, during, and after physical activity. Pay attention to how you’re feeling and take breaks when needed.
5. Make Family Time Active Time
Healthy habits are easier to maintain when the whole family gets involved. Take an evening walk, visit the pool, shoot hoops, or find an activity everyone enjoys. Moving together is a great way to spend time together while supporting healthy habits.
6. Keep Showing Up
You don’t need a perfect workout or hours at the gym to make progress. A short walk, a quick strength session, or a single class can help you stay on track. Small, consistent efforts add up over time.
Beat the Heat at the Y
As we head into fall, the YMCA is here to help you keep moving, stay connected, and make wellness part of your routine.
With 15 YMCA locations across Central Florida, there are plenty of ways to stay active no matter the weather or your fitness level. Find a workout you enjoy, connect with your community, and discover new ways to make movement part of your everyday life.
Summer may be winding down, but your healthy habits don’t have to. Keep moving, stay connected, and Beat the Heat!
Meet Erik:
Erik Olsson, MBA, ACSM-CPT, EIM®, is a health and wellness leader and Operations Director at the YMCA of Central Florida. He has more than a decade of experience leading evidence-based community health initiatives, including Livestrong at the YMCA, Diabetes Prevention Programs, and healthcare-partnered wellness programs. Erik is passionate about advancing whole-person health through sustainable lifestyle change, inclusive programming, and the belief that movement is medicine for everyone.