Discover the Top 10 Workouts for Fall!

Get out of the gym and into shape!

Autumn is here and with this season, comes colder weather; and with the colder weather often comes heartier appetites and occasions for comfort food. I know that I have to make even more of a conscious effort to eat well, exercise and not to become a winter couch critter! But does the chilly weather mean I have to go the gym?

Just because summer is over, doesn't mean you have to workout indoors! It's true that when the rain and cold weather comes, it's not as appealing to go outside but I think these fun outdoor fitness activities might change your mind!

Fox News shares their Top 10 Fall Workouts that will help keep you in shape and having so much fun not matter how many layers you may need to put on! 

My personal favourite on that list is Ultimate Frisbee. Although...I wouldn't mind raking a huge pile of leaves and jumping in! Get outside and enjoy the fall colours and crisp air. Just remember to bundle up!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Image source: egotvonline.com

Not a fan of the gym? Be bold and try running!

PGX'ers! Get outdoors and enjoy those fall colours! Let's talk running form!

"Go running? Me? Are you kidding?! I can't run for my life! That's okay, I'll pass on that outdoor jog. I'll just find some other, less painful fitness routine to follow."

Does that quote sound familiar to you? I know those sentiments very well. In fact, I've expressed them myself when I've talked about running before. But now, I'm starting to change my tune. My cousin has recently discovered her love of running and has dedicated time for a run around Madrid everyday! She should be commended; she has inspired me to consider running... outside.

Before I strap on my shoes and start jogging, I want to make sure I avoid the novice mistakes that can lead to injuries! Check out this great infographic on running form (see below for infographic source)! But don't worry if you can't follow these tips perfectly. Running is about practice and the more you run, the better you become. Each person has their own personal ideal running form and quite often, make unconscious changes to their movements for a more efficient and comfortable run. You can learn more about Finding Your Ideal Running Form in this New York Times article.

Enjoy, stay fit, go beyond your comfort zone and happy running!

Infographic source: SuperSkinnyMe.com article How to Run: Perfect Running Form

What an absolutely fabulous way to get excited and motivated for a 5K run!

I like to think of myself as being a fairly active person; I go on runs, ride my bike every so often, and play on a field hockey team. However, I have yet to run in an official race or run of any kind - and to be completely honest, I've never really had much motivation to do so. Until now!

The other day (while perusing Pinterest), I came across the most fun loving picture of a girl covered head to toe in what can only be described as vibrant colours, complete with the caption "The happiest 5K on the planet. The Color Run" (see right!). Needless to say, I was instantly intrigued.

So, I decided to do some research and I discovered, not only one, but two different runs that infuse your race experience with fabulous colour: The Color Run and the Color Me Rad 5K. Both races seem to only have a few rules: start the race off in a white T-shirt; have fun while you run; and end the race covered in colour! Sounds like a great way to be healthy and have fun to me!

If you're preparing for a race, get that extra bit of fuel when training with PGX SatisFast - it mixes great with smoothies!

Have you ever run a colour run? What'd you think? Tell us about it in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

Image source: Pinterest

5 Tips and Links to Keep You From Gaining Weight Over the Summer Weekends

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and fun of the summer but with longer days and more socializing there's usually more BBQ's and dining with friends. Often these social events can lead to eating foods that you usually wouldn't even think about indulging in. Being caught up in the moment and not planning ahead can leave you with a couple extra pounds by the end of the summer.

Here are 5 helpful tips to keep you on track with your diet and some healthy recipes to bring with you to BBQ's and dinners. Not only will the host love you for bringing along a dish but it will also be your sneaky way of staying fit and healthy.

1. Don't Skip Meals: If you skip meals during the day it will only lead to you binge eating later. You will be grabbing anything and everything to gain some energy by the time you arrive at the event. Ensure that you have a protein packed breakfast to start your metabolism.
2. Drink Lots of Water: Not only is it summer and your body requires more water but it can control cravings and leave you feeling full. Try to drink a glass of water when you first arrive at the event to keep you stomach full.
3. PGX Travel Packs: Packing these small pill packs in your purse or bag and taking them before a meal can keep you feeling full and satisfied. This will help you avoid going back for seconds.
4. Eat Before Leaving Home: It's a good idea to have a small snack before you leave the house to control your cravings when you arrive at the event. Try having a small plate of veggies and hummus.
5. Choose Wisely: Don't rush when you are in line at the BBQ. Make smart choices about what you are eating. It may seem simple but choosing a green salad over mayo packed potato salad can make a huge difference by the end of the summer.

• A smooth Avocado Hummus Dip is great to take as a nutritious snack/appetizer
• 25 baked alternatives to potato chips and french fries. I recommend the beet chips! yummy and a bit sweet
• Are you in charge of the Salad? This Cucumber, Mango and Watermelon Salad is an amazingly fresh side dish.

How do you avoid the Summer Weekend Weight Gain? Share your tips here in the comments or join the chat on Facebook and Twitter.

Image source

We're getting inspired by Olympic cycling!

Read on to discover 7 reasons why you should start biking!

It's Thursday and I have a Thursday obsession to share with you: biking. Now, I don't actually bike myself (yet), so what could I possibly talk to you about biking you wonder?

With the Olympic competition heating up, I'm starting to feel more inspired to 'up' my sporting activities. The cycling events are popular with my family (we have cyclists among us) and that got the "time-to-get-inspired-to-exercise-and-maybe-try-biking" wheels in motion. I've gone biking before but never with physical fitness as the end goal. As a kid, it was a fun thing to do with my neighbourhood friends. Then biking became a once in a while trip to the dike by the Fraser River, or one of my out of shape attempts to keep up with my friend as we cycled up and down the hills of the city!

Yes, clearly biking has been low on my radar of fitness regimes for quite some time. But just as I started to watch the Olympics and contemplate the idea of biking for exercise, an article from Women's Health appeared on my internet browser: 7 Reasons to Start Bike Riding.

If you're like me and need extra motivation to start biking (or a sign from universe that you should give it a go), read these seven reasons and you'll soon find yourself pumping air into the tires and peddling around in an eco-friendly, healthy way: on your bicycle!

Image source: London2012.com