Exercising in the Summer Heat

First of all, I'm sorry to those who have been regulars to the Evans Wellness blog. I've been busy thinking of other things, and haven't gotten any posts on here. I've been having a pretty busy "Spring", getting yard work done and different things. It has brought me to thinking these next tips would be great for the coming summer. I encourage all of you to get outside with your families and exercise, work in the yard, or just have fun!

First and foremost, hydrate. Carry cold water with you; drink often. Consider a sports drink with electrolytes if you are working out for more than an hour.

Monitor your heart rate. If your heart rate goes above your target, slow down or stop to avoid further distress.

Acclimate your body to exercising in the heat by starting slowly and allowing time to cool down afterwards.

Avoid exercising outdoors in the high heat and pollution of the day. Instead, try exercising before 10 AM or after 7 PM.

Dress in light colored clothing because it reflects the heat better then darker colors.

Wear a hat to protect both eyes and face from excess sun exposure.

Wear poly-cotton fiber blends, which wick perspiration away from the body, allowing it to evaporate easily.

Use sunscreen, even on a cloudy day, to protect yourself from skin cancer. The sunscreen should be oil-free, so as not to interfere with the sweating mechanism and the sunscreen should be waterproof so that you do not sweat it off.

Shower and change clothes soon after exercising to avoid skin irritation.

Always check with your physician or healthcare provider before starting any new fitness routine.

(http://www.emaxhealth.com/2/2533.html)