Walking Off The Weight

I don’t know if I mentioned this before, but I live in the deep south and walking outside for exercise can be a bit of a challenge when it’s 98 outside with 90 to 100 percent humidity. Sure, I could just give up on my walking workouts using the hot weather as an excuse, but with a little ingenuity, I can still stick to my plan and keep myself in good shape all during the summer. Here are some of my best tips:

• Head Out Early
  I usually prefer to walk in the afternoon, but during the hottest summer months, I often change my routine and walk very early in the morning when it’s still fairly cool outside.
• Take Your Workout Inside
  I’m lucky and now own a treadmill, so on days that it’s too hot to walk outside (or when it rains for that matter), I can work out inside right in front of my tv. Before I owned the treadmill, I would go for walks in a local mall. I could window shop and enjoy the air conditioning and still get my workout in. You may also want to consider joining a gym and use the treadmills there to work out.
• Go For A Swim
  Walking doesn’t have to be your only form of exercise. I often go for a swim instead during the hot summer months. It’s a great low impact workout and works your entire body.

No matter what you are doing this summer, just keep doing something and remember to drink plenty of water when you are working out in the heat.

Filed under: Articles on July 20th, 2009