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When Summer Begins, Outside Workouts
Don’t Have to End
You have been loyal to your outdoor
exercise program for months; walking, even when your
muscles ached or biking, even when your arthritis acted
up. Due to your dedication, your body is strong, your
health is good and your endurance is better than ever,
then summer approaches and the environmental thermostat
begins to rise. Does that mean your beloved outdoor
workout has to end when those warm months roll around?
Only in your dreams, because with proper precautions,
you can keep on trucking and workout in the summer heat.
Tips for Working Out in the Heat:
-
Check weather reports.
What you are mainly concerned about is not only the
temperature, but also the humidity. High heat and
humidity can cause exhaustion, heat cramps or worse.
When there’s a lot of moisture in the air, the body
isn’t able to rid itself of heat as well as in a
drier environment because the body can’t evaporate
sweat, so watch humidity levels.
-
Notice your body’s
signals. Indications that the body is straining
itself during a workout include: a higher heart rate
than normal, nausea, excessive sweating or inability
to sweat and lightheadedness. Take these symptoms
seriously and slow down.
-
Hydrate yourself. If you
feel thirsty, your body may already be experiencing
dehydration. Drink a minimum of 8 ounces of water,
20 minutes before a workout and at least 4 ounces of
water every 15 minutes during activity.
-
People with heart
disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes should be
extremely careful about over exerting themselves in
high heat and humidity so consider working out in
the early morning or evening and still watch the
humidity.
-
Know your heat
tolerance. People can adapt to their climate so heat
tolerances vary. If you are accustomed to working
out in a high humidity climate, you may be ok during
high heat, high humidity days. But, if you are a
vacationer from Arizona trying to workout in the
humidity of Florida, you may find yourself in
trouble.
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