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Summer is a great time to spend outdoors, be with family, reduce stress and get fit. Here are a few tips for smart exercise in the heat!
Sweating means calories are being burned but you must replace the water lost during exercise.
- Try to drink lots of hydrating fluids (water, non-caffeinated drinks, juices) throughout the day.
- Drink plenty of fluid before you exercise, every 15 minutes during exercise and more when you have finished.
- The hotter the weather and the more you exercise, the more you should drink - don't wait until you're thirsty.
In the heat, you may not feel hungry but it is important to refuel the muscles after playing hard. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, juices and whole grains to fuel muscles for exercise.
The best time for exercising on hot days is before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. Clothing makes a difference. Light-coloured materials reflect the heat and cotton allows the sweat to evaporate.
Everyone likes a bronze hue, but sun rays damage the skin even on a partly cloudy day. Always use an oil-free and waterproof sun screen while outdoors.
-© "Wellness Matters," Summer 1999. Used with permission.
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