Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack
away your jackets and get outside. Summer offers extras hours of daylight and
with it the opportunity to spend even more time enjoying outdoor activities. For
many, this means more time doing physical activities and playing sports. So,
it’s important to remember the potential dangers that also come with exercising
in hot conditions. As long as you know the dos and don’ts of working out in the
heat, then you can fully take advantage of all the fun of summer.

 


What you should do:

 

  • Drink plenty of fluids. It’s extremely important to stay hydrated.
    If you’re thirsty then you are already dehydrated; drink before you feel a
    need to. Be sure to drink throughout the day (stick to non-caffeinated
    beverages, preferably water). Also, drink 15-20 minutes before beginning
    your workout and every 15 minutes throughout the exercise.

 

  • Eat regularly. The heat can decrease your appetite, but it’s
    important to eat normally. Try to eat small meals 5-6 times per day. Include
    lots of fruits and vegetables. Aside from being nutritious, fruits also tend
    to help with hydration.

 

  • Wear light, loose fitting clothes that can breath. Cotton is always
    a good choice. If your outdoor activity produces a lot of perspiration,
    consider clothing that is designed to wick the sweat away.

 

  • Wear sunscreen. Even if you exercise early in the morning or late in
    the evening, if the sun can reach you then you can get burned. Not only is a
    sunburn bad on the skin and potentially dangerous but it also hinders your
    bodies ability to stay cool.

 

  • Use common sense and don’t attempt strenuous activities that your
    body is not accustomed to. Stick to exercises that you are very familiar and
    comfortable with.

 

  • Check the weather forecast. It’s best not to participate in intense
    outdoor exercise sessions when the heat index registers in the dangerous
    zone.

 


What you should not do:

 

  • Don’t try to diet by sweating. Excessive perspiration is not the key
    to permanent weight loss. Any decrease in the scale would simply be a result
    of water loss, not fat reduction.

 

  • Don’t adapt the “no pain, no gain” motto. Ignoring your body’s
    signals could be dangerous. Heat-related illnesses come with warning signs.
    Be sure to learn how to recognize them and what actions to take.

 

  • Don’t forget to drink plenty of liquid when swimming. Just because
    your body is surrounded by water does not mean that you are well-hydrated.
    As with any land exercises, you need to regularly replenish lost fluids when
    in the pool.

 

  • Avoid physical activity during the hottest part of the day, which
    usually is between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

 

  • If you want (or need) to be working in very hot temperatures, don’t
    do it until you become acclimated. Try to spend only a few minutes per day
    in the hot conditions for the first couple of weeks and then add time
    gradually each day.

 

  • Avoid extreme changes in temperature. Don’t hop from being extremely
    hot and sweating excessively right into an ice cold, air-conditioned
    environment. Try to cool your body down slightly before exposing it to the
    extreme temperature variation.

 

Whether you have to work outside or do it for
enjoyment, following the above tips will help you stay cool and safe during the
dog days of summer. So, don’t spend the season cooped up, get out there and have
some fun!

 

 


About the author:

 

Lynn Bode is a certified personal trainer
specializing in Internet-based fitness programs. She founded Workouts For You,
which provides affordable online exercise programs that are custom designed for
each individual. Visit:  http://www.workoutsforyou.com
for free fitness tips and a sample workout program. Fitness professionals, learn
how to support your clients online, visit:  http://www.trainerforce.com

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