19 May Tips to enjoy fit, healthy summer
There are so many beautiful places to go in our country to go to combine having fun and staying fit. Go for a hike, bike, walk, run etc. whenever possible.
With Memorial Day coming up, so is the unofficial start to summer.
That means more time outside and hotter temperatures.
Summer means people’s fitness opportunities and regimens need to be tweaked.
The warmer weather offers more chances to get outside for people who live in climates that have cold winters, but those who live in extremely hot spots such as the desert southwest have to be more careful about when they get outside.
Wherever you reside many same basic things hold true. Here are 10 tips to have a fit, fun summer:
1. Drink plenty of water
Water cleanses the body and allows you to function more efficiently. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you feel thirsty to start consuming water or sports drinks. Once dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke set in they are tough to treat, but drinking enough fluids ahead of time can help prevent such problems. Drink eight glasses of water or more per day.
2. Get outdoors
There are so many beautiful places to go in our country to go to combine having fun and staying fit. Go for a hike, bike, walk, run etc. whenever possible.
3. Do morning workouts
The coolest time of day to work out is in the morning and it’s also a great time to send you into the rest of the day with great energy. This is especially key in the warmer climates.
If you can work it into your schedule, seriously consider starting each day off with a morning workout.
4. Friends network
Find a friend to work out with. It will help you both push each other and make the workouts more interesting.
5. Do yard work
A great way to condition your body, and also get stuff done around the house, is to treat your yard work like a workout. Work hard as you put in a flower bed or mulch around trees. And you’ll really have something to show for your hard work at the end of the day.
6. Don’t forget the home gym
Even though the weather’s nicer, it’s also nice to still have the option of working out in a home gym or at a club. You should still keep up a strength training regimen and it’s also nice to have the option to do a cardio workout indoors on a treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike.
7. Wear proper clothing
A good way to keep cool is to wear a hat or even a bandana or t-shirt wrapped on your head. It will help keep moisture in and keep the sun off you some. Also, wear light-colored clothes with moisture wicking material.
8. Eat small meals frequently
Eat smaller portions, but more frequently in the summer. Have 5-6 small meals each day, which will keep you energized and also speed up your metabolism.
9. Keep a workout log
For people who are serious about staying fit and reaching workout goals, it helps to develop and commit to a training regimen. A workout program will allow you to stay focused and motivated.
10. Respect the sun, and have fun
Remember that summer is supposed to be fun. Get creative with your fitness, have fun but be careful to not get sunburned or dehydrated. Get yourself acclimated to the heat over time, especially if you’re not used to extremely high temperatures.
Use an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. You should prevent dangerous rays that can lead to skin cancer from hitting your skin. Sunburn is not only bad for your skin, but it also causes fluid loss and limits the body’s ability to cool itself. So sunscreen will help you stay a bit cooler.
AtHomeFitness.com is your source for treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, rowers, vibration training machines and more.
At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com