Exercising in the Heat

It is very important to remember the potential dangers that come
with exercising in hot conditions. As long as you know the do's 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 a 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 breathe. 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 a 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!

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