It’s June and the temperatures are averaging 80s degrees and it’s only going to get hotter! In order to stay on #TeamFit, we all need to continue to workout through the hotter months but we need to be smart about it.
Marni Sumbal, a prominent exercise physiologist and board-certified sports dietitian has some suggestions for the Dating With Passports’ squad.
“We’ve been using Epsom salt for a long time,” says Sumbal, who is widely quoted in several of the nation’s top sports and health-related magazines. The list includes Shape, Women’s Health, Men’s Journal, Runner’s World, Good Housekeeping and Women’s Running.
- Reduce the intensity, stay inside or work out during off-peak hours. For the first month of hot weather, scale back until your body adjusts to the heat. Pushing too hard too soon can lead to fatigue or injuries.
- Hydrate. You will sweat more in the summer, which can cause headaches, nausea or fatigue.During a 60-minute workout, drink 20 to 28 ounces of either water or a sports drink. Sports drinks can be especially helpful because they contain carbohydrates.
- Warm up. Do some dynamic stretches (movements while stretching) to activate the muscles, increase the blood flow and to get full range of motion.
- Cool down. Take a cold bath (not ice) or a put a cold rag around your neck to reduce the body’s temperature. This helps you recover quicker by lowering your heartrate and increasing your appetite.
- Soak in Epsom salt. This repairs muscle damage and offsets delayed inflammation. About an hour after the cold shower, add 2 cups of Epsom salt to a lukewarm bath. Note: If a bath isn’t an option, she recommends scrubbing Epsom salt into your skin during a shower.
Sumbal,, the co-owner of TriMarni Coaching and Nutrition in Greenville, S.C., recommends reducing workout intensity until you adjust to the heat.
Have you been working out this month? Any tips to keep us motivated? Let’s continue the conversation on Twitter and as always let’s keep finding the best date ideas around the world!