(ThyBlackMan.com) Next to coming out of a serious hibernation after winter, most people spring into exercise during the nice temperatures preceding summer. When it gets really hot though, most people opt to wait until the end of summer to resume exercising outdoors. The fact is you can exercise even at the hottest point of summer, if you keep a few simple rules in mind. This article offers tips for those who do not have a gym membership and who prefer to workout outdoors, preferably during late evening or early morning hours.
Exercise is good for your body, mind and spirit. You feel better. You look better. You handle life better. So, wherever you are and in whatever climate you may live in, commit to get fit! Here are three tips to get and stay healthy even when it’s hot.
Take Heat Seriously
Heat is not a joke. Be aware. Take heat seriously. I often see people jogging in the middle of the day, when temps are at its highest. Heat can kill you. But its not just temperature. It’s heat index. Heat index is a measure indicating the level of discomfort the average person is thought to experience as a result of the combined effects of the temperature and humidity of the air. In other words, the heat index is hotter than the reported temperature. Don’t just check the temps, also check the humidity levels. If there is a ‘heat advisory’ in effect in your area, don’t chance it.
You can stay healthy when it’s hot if you:
Exercise in the early morning or late evening hours if your routine does not take place in a gym
Travel Light
By travel light I don’t just mean wear as less clothing as possible (although most don’t have to be told that). Travel light also means to commit to shedding the weight in an efficient manner. Your body has to work harder during the summer to keep you cool. That’s part of our survival mechanism as humans. The less weight you carry, the easier the job of the body. This is especially true if you have chronic conditions such blood pressure, diabetes and joint issues. Make good meal choices. Fresh fruit and lean meats are the way to go.
You can stay healthy when it’s hot if you:
Commit to losing 1.5lbs per week by power walking during late evening or early morning hours
Stay Extra Hydrated
Beat the heat by staying hydrated. Drink water often. Add lemons to purify your system. This reduces toxins in blood circulation and allows your body to operate at a more efficient level throughout the day. Drink less alcohol during summer months. If you do drink alcohol, go for the less sugary variety. Eliminate sodas period! They block hydration and cause your body’s metabolism to slow down. If you power walk, carry plenty of water with you. You should drink half a gallon of water for every twenty minutes of your walk.
You can stay healthy when it’s hot by:
Commit to drinking one gallon of water per workout during the summer, whether that workout is in the gym lifting weights or is outside walking in the late evening or early morning hours.
Follow these three simple rules to stay healthy even when it’s hot!
Staff Writer; W. Eric Croomes
This talented brother is a holistic lifestyle exercise expert and founder and executive coach of Infinite Strategies LLC, a multi-level coaching firm that develops and executes strategies for fitness training, youth achievement and lifestyle management. Eric is an author, fitness professional, holistic life coach and motivational speaker.
In October 2015, Eric released Life’s A Gym: Seven Fitness Principles to Get the Best of Both, which shows readers how to use exercise to attract a feeling of wellness, success and freedom (Infinite Strategies Coaching LLC, 2015) – http://www.infinitestrategiescoaching.com.
