When It’s Too Hot Outside
While the season of summer is officially over, the heat is not quite done here in Florida. Our fall and winter can be really enjoyable, but it takes us a little longer to get there than some other states. We aren’t complaining though! But, since it is still hot, many of us find that it can be uncomfortable to do some of the outside activities that we would like to do for exercise.
If walking or running is what you enjoy as your favorite form of exercise, this hot weather can be a bit much to handle. For many, they enjoy doing yoga, pilates, or lifting weights while outside. There’s nothing quite like fresh air while you are exercising. But, there are times when it is simply too hot. It is important to watch your body temperature if you are doing any outdoor activities in the heat.
It is easy to become overheated which can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke which can be fatal. The high humidity we experience here in Florida makes us even more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion is a result of your body overheating. Sweating and a rapid heartbeat are two symptoms. These can be difficult to identify as symptoms of heat exhaustion when exercising because both naturally occur while exercising. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or more fatigued than usual by your regular exercise, then you may be experiencing heat exhaustion. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, you need to stop exercising immediately, find a cool place to rest, and drink plenty of liquids, preferably water or a sports drink. If you do not start feeling better within one hour or your symptoms worsen, you need to see a doctor.
Heat stroke is especially dangerous. It can occur when your body’s core temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher. This is different from a fever. You may not be aware you are experiencing heat stroke as the symptoms are generally the same as heat exhaustion with the exception of the elevated core temperature. If you have any of the above symptoms, it is important to cool down as quickly as possible. If you can get in a cold pool, tub, or shower, do it! If not, get ice packs or cold washcloths and apply to your head, neck, armpits, and groin to help lower your body temperature.
Instead of exercising outdoors when the temperature and humidity are high, opt for indoor workouts. If you belong to a gym, now is the time to go. Perhaps you have been considering a gym membership. These hot months are a good time to try one. Not all gyms require contracts or long commitments. Some will allow you to pay on a monthly basis. So, once it cools down, if you want to exercise outside again, you just don’t pay for those months! Pretty convenient!
If you don’t have any exercise equipment at home, you don’t need to go buy expensive exercise machines. You could go to a used sporting goods store, like Play It Again Sports, and get a few basic items like hand weights or resistance bands to help with your indoor, at-home workouts. There are plenty of great, free workouts available online. You can search on YouTube for the type of workout you want and get a ton of choices for free!
We at Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute, hope you have found this information helpful. We specialize in rapid weight loss and minimally invasive weight loss surgeries. If you are interested in the gastric balloon, lap band, or gastric sleeve surgery and are located in the Melbourne or Merritt Island areas, please give us a call today. We look forward to working with you on your weight loss journey!