Friday's Find

Summer is here! FINALLY!! I don't know about you, but I LOVE to exercise outside. I like the fresh air and wide open spaces (and my favorite exercise is riding my bike, and that just simply MUST be done outside). I even prefer freezing my tushy off in the snow during the winter to a dread mill, but there is nothing quite like a morning bike ride in the crisp, clean, fresh summer air to get your day started right! I like to get my exercise done in the morning when it's still cool outside, but if you find yourself sweatin' it out in the summer heat, this article gives some tips for doing it safely!

Enjoy (and be SAFE) - Valerie

8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat
By Joe Decker • For Active.com

Summer is the perfect time to go outside and have fun. It's one of my favorite times of year because there are so many outdoor activities to choose from. Everything is more fun outside, whether you're swimming, running or cycling.

But the summer heat can be a problem if you're not careful, particularly in areas with extreme heat and humidity.

After experiencing the Badwater Ultramarathon (a 135-mile run through Death Valley) and the Marathon des Sables (a six-day, 152-mile endurance race through the Sahara Desert), I've learned a few things about exercising in the heat.

For me, the biggest problems were staying hydrated and maintaining my body's electrolytes and salt. When you sweat, your body loses not only water, but electrolytes and salt, too. This delicate balance of water and electrolytes is crucial to keep your body functioning properly.

If you don't drink enough water, you can get dehydrated and suffer from light-headedness and nausea. If not recognized, dehydration can even result in kidney failure and or, in extreme cases, death. However, if you drink too much water without replenishing your electrolytes, you can experience hyponatremia. This can lead to confusion, nausea, muscle cramps, seizures or even death in extreme cases.

You may not be racing in the desert, but there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to exercising in the heat:

Read the full article here at active.com...