summer survival guide

too hot to exerciseDo you live in a place where the temperature gets well above 90 degrees in the summer? I feel your pain. It's absolutely brutal trying to exercise outside when it's so hot. As if I needed another excuse not to workout!

To keep us in shape this summer, I've got a few alternatives to consider when it's too hot for our normal exercise routine, as well as some exercise safety tips for those brave enough to venture outdoors in the blazing sun...

Here are some good indoor alternatives if it's too hot to exercise outside:

  • Rent or borrow fitness and yoga DVDs.
  • Swim at the local pool.
  • Have sex.
  • Workout with the Wii Fit.
  • Walk up and down stairs.
  • Clean your kitchen.

And if you absolutely must exercise outdoors on really hot days, be sure to take the following precautions:

  • Exercise during the coolest times of the day—either early in the morning or in the evening once the sun has gone down.
  • Cut back on your exercise intensity and duration—at least until you are used to the heat.
  • Dress appropriately for the heat, including wearing light-colored items, light "wicking" fabrics, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. One cup every 15-20 minutes is recommended, although you should drink as much as you need to stay hydrated.
  • Stop exercising if you feel any of the following: nausea, dizziness, headache, chilling, or muscle cramps.

Do you exercise when it's really hot outside?