Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hot Out?

My tips for hot-weather-outside workouts:
  • Water is your BFF. I take a bottle or two of water and freeze them. The night before I need it, I move it to the fridge to melt a bit. Then I take those and some cold ones from the fridge to camp. As an added bonus, the frozen ones feel lovely if there's time to put them on your wrist, forehead, neck....OK, anywhere!
  • Listen to your body. Feeling light headed? Thirsty? Short of breath? Stop, slow down, or whatever, but listen to your body! Give your body what it needs otherwise you might find yourself having a fun experience like one poor gal at camp who was puking her guts out. Personally, there are no heroes and it's not a competition. Do what you gotta do.
  • Sweat can be your enemy. There have been a couple workouts that I sweat out too much "good stuff" (hey, I'm not a doctor or a professional trainer) and have felt a bit light headed. To counter this, I take with me some Gatorade G2 which I will sip on and off. 1/2 water 1/2 Gatorade is another option. Too much makes me feel yucky, it took some trial and error to figure out what worked for me.
  • Bring a towel. No duh, right? Except the other day I forgot mine because I was actually washing it (miracle) and it sucked!
  • Dress appropriately. Screw it if you aren't a size zero or a fitness model. You're there to workout. Wear some shorts, a tank, or some sort of moisture wicking shirt. Don't add to the misery by dressing in too many clothes.
  • Refrain from negative self talk. (I can't do it, it's too hot. I'm gonna die (not you aren't, it just feels like it, ha). Blah, blah, blah.) You can do it and you are! I find a hot workout much more mentally challenging and sometimes have to gut it through and mentally kick myself in the a$$. Heck it's only X number of minutes or X number of sets, right? So, if it's 10 jump squats, 15 pushups, 40 mountain climbers, and run a loop, I know that the time on average will be 3 times minimum for me. So I just cheer myself on and switch my focus to surviving getting to 3.
  • BE PROUD! You are out there and you are doing it. You're awesome!
Have something else to add?

8 comments:

Cat said...

You are my hero! I don't exercise outside yet, but these are great reminders even for indoor workouts!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips and encouragment. I start pilates class tonight and I have been having doubts that I can actaully do it and what if it is too hot.
I am sure I can get through anything for an hour.

-Grace- said...

Great list!

Beth Ann said...

Those are great tips! I especially like the "no negative self talk" one. This is the key for me. If I just keep focused on what I have to do and believe that I can do it, I will get there. One day at a time, one workout at a time, one set at a time, one move at a time. I will get there!

Shannon said...

great tips :)

I hope you don't mind but I borrowed your tips for success and linked to you on my page. They are some good tips to live by :)

Laura Belle said...

Awesome!

I do the frozen water bottle thing too sometimes!

Amanda Kiska said...

Great tips! That's some HOT weather!

Andrea said...

Great tips! Thanks for sharing. Your weather looks the same as mine...miserable!