Staying Fit in the Summer
Originally published in Enjoy Whole Health Magazine Austin Edition, 2004
Here we are in the middle of the summer, and that means hot, no matter where you live. So what does summer have to do with exercise programs?
Turns out, quite a lot. By this time of year, mid-year, people's fitness programs are either in full swing, and a regular part of their life-style, or they are long forgotten. OR perhaps they took a backseat to more pressing life issues that force us to reset our priorities. Our schedules change with huge events: family births or death, a job change, move, family illness, marriage, or divorce… or the pandemic!
By July or August, most New Year's fitness resolutions are long gone. For those who made resolutions last year, can you recall what they were? Did you write down a plan? Did you act upon it? Some of us can say that we succeeded and are moving forward, perhaps re-grouping, and ready to add another mode of fitness to your routine, such as strength to cardio, or flexibility to complement a strength program.
This halfway point in the year is also a good time to notice how our lives are already different because we feel different about ourselves if we have been true to our personal fitness goals. Now what do we need to re-assess, prune, and progress? Perhaps our fitness schedule was altered as a result of other family issues. How do we regroup and move onward? Or start again?
It is important to take rest time and reorganization time with our fitness programs, otherwise our fitness programs become stale, and boredom sets in. Then our motivation to work out starts to wane.
Summer, besides being a traditionally slower paced time of year with many taking vacations, is a good time to praise or forgive yourself, whichever the case may be, and start anew! In fact, it is never too late to start an exercise program, whether you think you're too old or too young, too fat or too thin, or the year is too far gone.
And then there’s the heat. Starting to walk, or exercise outside on a hot day will find us slowing down our heart rate, as we find that not very much warm-up is needed, and our body temperature climbs quickly.
We need to be aware that the combination of high heat and high body temperature is a difficult one for our hearts. Drinking water and keeping well hydrated is really important. For others, they may need to join a gym with air conditioning. Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and do not exercise in the heat of the day.
Whatever you decide in July about your fitness program, at least you have given it some thought and can continue or can start. Hopefully you'll make it through the summer and continue to make progress. If accountability is a motivator for you, perhaps you'll need to join a class, call a teacher, or contact a buddy.
Perhaps you'll be motivated to start cycling after watching the Tour de France, or rollerblade with your kids after being inspired by Erin Jackson’s speed skating Olympic gold. Whatever it takes, do stick with it because the fall will come once again, and you'll be happy in the end. Keep your fitness fire burning in the hot summer!