FitSugar

Tips For Exercising in the Humidity

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Some people really enjoy working out in the heat under the summer sun. The weather is inspiring as are the other people outside exercising in the heat with you. There is plenty to look at too.

Warm weather is wonderful, but you've got to be careful when the temperature and humidity levels get too high. Here are some tips when exercising in the humidity:

Check the heat-index level. This is the number that takes into consideration the temperature and the humidity to determine how hot it actually feels outside. Check out the chart below - If you are exercising and the temp is 85°F and rising, and the humidity is 65% or more, you could be in danger of heatstroke.

Stay hydrated. Dehydration caused by excessive sweating can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Drink fluids before, during, and after exercise even if you don't feel thirsty. Make sure to pack a water bottle with you while you're out - I like to fill mine with tons of ice and a little water. I put some cubes in my mouth and in my sports bra, and I make sure to take sips of ice water every 5-10 minutes.

To see the other important tips read more

Avoid direct sunlight. Wear a hat, or workout in shaded areas.
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, and lightweight clothes.
Exercise at cooler times of the day, early in the morning or late at night.
Go easy. Whether you are running, biking, or hiking, slow down your pace and take intervals of rest and recovery.
Try to use water in your workout routine. Go kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, water skiing, or wakeboarding. You'll be using your muscles and getting your heart pumping, but you won't be staying cool.

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Do you find it easier to stretch when the weather is hot and humid?

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Stretching is one of my favorite activities and warm weather really inspires me to work on my flexibility. The heat seems to make me more pliable and the stretching even more enjoyable. Does the warm weather have that affect on you too?

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Allergies and Humidity

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Allergies are the worst. You know what I'm talking about if you suffer from itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

Summer can be one of the worst times of the year because so many things are growing. It also gets really hot and humid, so I want to know...

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How Germy Is Your Car?

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 17:30:00 -0700

I like to think of my car as a continuation of my home, my private sanctuary on wheels. Now I know there are germs in my home, I have two little ~~germ factories~~ children running around my house. For some reason though, I thought my car would be germ free. Not true, in fact, moms have the germiest vehicles around.
You would think the steering wheel would harbor the most bacteria, since your hands are on it all the time. But the dashboard is one of the leading "hot" spots. Not only is it the warmest place in the car, air vents draw bacteria via the air circulation system. Food and beverages spill and stains may look harmless but they are a haven for bacteria.

Single men have the cleanest cars, while married folks and moms have the "hottest" cars, geography does play a part. Cars in hot humid climates like Florida are likely to contain 10 times as much bacteria as cars in dry areas like Arizona.

Regardless of your geographic location or marriage status, keep some antibacterial wipes in your glove box to clean up your spills. As a mom, I must say baby wipes are great for dusting the dash.

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Is Running While Pregnant Safe?

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:52 -0700

It's not every day that you see a pregnant woman going for a run, like Miss Kourtney Kardashian here. On her hour-long jog, I'm sure she got some stares and whispers. Not just because she's famous, but because she's got a big bun in the oven. They're probably wondering, is this safe for her baby, and safe for mom?

Regular exercise is encouraged by doctors for those expecting, because it can help a woman stay healthy, and alleviate some of the discomforts like stiffness, back pain, leg cramping, or constipation. Working out can also prevent unnecessary weight gain, relieve stress, and get a woman ready to endure the physical challenges of labor.

With that said, there are some guidelines a pregnant woman should follow when working out.

Don't make any big changes to your exercise program once you become pregnant. If you were running regularly before you conceived, then it's safe to keep it up, as long as it feels good and you don't overdo it. If you want to start a new type of exercise, talk to your doc first.
Be OK with modifying your routine, especially as your pregnancy progresses. If you used to run four miles a day, you may find that you'll need to cut down in the beginning of your pregnancy. And once you're in the end of your second trimester, or third, walking may be best.
Don't do any types of exercise that put you or the baby at risk, like extreme sports that require balance, speed, or could result in you falling. Your doctor will probably recommend you save the surfing, skiing, horseback riding, biking outdoors, and rock climbing for after delivery.

For the rest keep reading

Evert-Fresh Bags

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:30:58 -0700

When I first saw Evert-Fresh Bags, I thought they were a gimmick. The thought of a bag being able to keep produce fresh for up to a month seemed impossible. But one of my old colleagues said that they worked for her, which made me curious enough to try them myself.

The bag is supposed to keep produce fresh by slowing down the ripening process and keeping bacteria from forming. The claims are pretty impressive - it absorbs the harmful gases that fruits and veggies give off like ethylene and ammonia, controls humidity, and minimizes moisture. From a scientific standpoint I have no idea if that's what's really happening inside those bags, but I can say that they do work.

To hear how they worked for me, read more.

I think I store my fruits and veggies pretty well to begin with, so I was pretty shocked that the bags impressed me. I use mine to store lettuce and berries, and they definitely work in keeping my produce fresh longer than my previous storage methods. I don't let produce sit around too long to begin with, but after returning from a week-long vacation nothing I left in the fridge spoiled - not my strawberries, arugula, or peppers, all of which had been there two weeks!

I still try and eat my produce ASAP, but the bags are a great option if you're worried about letting produce you buy from a farmers market go to waste or for times you can't get through your produce fast enough.

Get It Up, Your Heart Rate, That Is: Full Body Elliptical

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:50:14 -0700

When it is hot and humid, the gym beats skipping a workout for weather-related reasons. The elliptical with moving handles can provide a full-body workout: arms, legs, and core. I like to change it up on the elliptical to take full advantage of the versatile machine, and this workout does just that.

When you let go and work with no hands, focus on your core. Place your hands on your hips and keep the movement as smooth and steady as possible. Using the the handles in different ways will challenge your upper body. Push the handles to work your chest more, and pull the handles with focus more on your back. When the workout simply says "hands," move your arms fully with power to get your upper body working with your lower body. Going backwards on the elliptical is a nice way to focus on the glutes and hamstrings working.

Check out the workout.

How Many Glasses of Water Do You Drink Daily?

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:56 -0700

The health benefits of drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water continue to fall under scrutiny. However, being dehydrated can slow down your metabolism. When it is hot and humid, and you're exercising regularly, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after working out. With all this in mind, I want to know, on average . . .

Drip Tips: Exercising in Summer Rain

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:55:00 -0700

For many of us, exercising in the Summer weather is no picnic. The heat and humidity can make it unbearable, not to mention, it can be a health risk. So when the clouds roll in and rain starts to sprinkle from the sky, it can offer relief. What's that? You've never considered exercising in the rain? It's time to give it a try since it be a really exhilarating experience. You just need to arm yourself with these tips.

Check the weather map. A little drizzle is much easier to run in than a full on downpour. Be patient and wait for a bad storm to pass before heading outside.
Just because it's raining, doesn't mean you need to get wet. Wear a lightweight raincoat like this one from REI ($119). It's made of breathable material, so it'll keep you dry on the outside and cool on the inside.
Get a pair of shorts or pants made of waterproof material that will repel water.

For more essential tips keep reading

You Asked: The Heat Has Shortened My Runs

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Dear Fit,

I always wanted to get into running and my New Year's resolution was to be able to run 30 minutes straight, four times a week. I've kept it up until the Summer sun and heat got the best of me. Now I can barely do 15 minutes and I'm exhausted. I tried pushing myself, thinking it'd just take some getting used to, but now during my runs I get headaches, stomach cramps, sweat uncontrollably, and a few times felt dizzy and nauseous. I don't want to give up on running outside since I'm training for a half-marathon this Fall. I also don't have access to a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym. Any tips?

-Overheated Heather

Being too hot to exercise the way you want to is so frustrating. I have some suggestions though so read more.

Summer is generally a hot time of year, but certain times of the day are hotter than others. Try to do your runs early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is out of the sky. Stick to shady places like the woods, or breezy areas such as near the ocean or a lake. Make sure you hydrate before you head out and bring water with you to drink and pour on your body to help cool you off.

Wear a heart rate monitor to keep track of your heart rate. When exercising in the heat, your heart rate will rise in order to send more of your blood supply to your skin to cool it down. A heart rate monitor will allow you to keep track of the intensity of your workouts. This means you'll probably have to run at a slower pace, or even walk, which just means your normal run will take longer. If you don't want to compromise your pace, then break up your workouts. Do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. Or you can slowly train your body to acclimate to exercising in the heat. Gradually increase the duration of your runs until you're able to go for 30 minutes.

I must say that the most important thing to consider when running in heat and humidity is to listen to your body and not overdo it. Some of the symptoms you described above sound like they could turn into heat exhaustion, which means your runs will be doing more harm than good. In that case, think about using this time of year to cross train with cooler cardio activities such as swimming, kayaking, and water aerobics.