Six Hot Weather Exercise Mistakes That Could Compromise Your Health

9 July 2017
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog


Exercising regularly is important if you're trying to lose weight. However, you have to be careful when you're doing it outdoor during periods when the temperature is very high.

The following are six mistakes you need to avoid in order to prevent health problems while you're working out outside this summer:

Working out during the hottest period of the afternoon

Exercising outside on your lunch break or when it's particularly sunny out may be a bad idea. Peak temperatures in many areas tend to occur around the middle of the day. 

Every locality experiences peak daily temperatures at a particular time of the day. You should be aware of what time this is for your locality. You should then avoid exercising at this time to avoid health consequences of overexertion during hot weather like heat stroke. 

Exercising too intensely when the temperature is very high

If you are exercising at a very hot time of the day, you should definitely take it easy and not push yourself too hard. Intense exercise during hot periods can put you at risk of heat stroke or heat cramps, so go easy on your workout unless you can exercise indoors or in the evening after it cools off. 

Not eating enough before exercising

If you're trying to lose weight, you may be tempted to cut back on your diet and eat less even while you're exercising intensely. However, a reduced diet combined with exercise in hot temperatures could lead to a potentially dangerous workout. Exercising in such conditions can cause your blood glucose levels to drop dangerously low and may even cause you to pass out.

Neglecting to drink enough water

Drinking a lot of water is always important when you're exercising. Of course, staying hydrated is especially important when you're exercising in very high temperatures because water will dissipate from your system more rapidly when it's very hot outside. 

Forgetting to use sunscreen

Don't neglect to put sunscreen on when you're exercising. You could potentially get a sunburn in only 15 minutes, and a good workout could take much longer.

Severe sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer and lead to episodes of sun poisoning in extreme cases. Don't neglect sunscreen even if you're only going out for a quick workout. 

Dressing in clothing that is darkly colored or heavy

Lighter colored clothing can reflect heat and allow you to feel cooler while you're working out. Also, clothing that's made of a lighter fabric will prevent you from overheating when you're exercising in hot weather. 

Contact local weight loss centers for more information and assistance. 


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