Daily exercise is important to your weight loss, but an intense outdoor workout when the temperatures soar can be unpleasant and dangerous. Follow these tips to stay active and safe in the hottest months.
Tips For Safe Summer Exercise
- Stay hydrated: getting dehydrated will interfere with your body’s ability to cool itself down. Make sure to drink water before, during and after a workout even if you don’t think you’re thirsty. Drinking sports drinks during long workouts can help sodium, chloride and potassium lost during sweating, but water should be sufficient for an average workout.
- Dress for the weather: wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing that lets the air circulate over our body. This allows sweat to evaporate more easily, which is your body’s natural way of cooling down. You should also avoid dark colors than can absorb heat and wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
- Avoid exercising in the heat: of course, the best way to avoid overheating in the sun is to stay out of the sun. Try exercising in the morning, after sunset, or indoors. If you normally take a walk on your lunch break, for example, consider walking at an air-conditioned mall instead.
The most important safety tip is to know when you’ve pushed your body too far. If you experience weakness, headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea or a rapid heartbeat, it’s time to stop. Go inside and drink plenty of water. If your symptoms persist for more than an hour, contact your doctor.