Home Fitness In Phoenix: Avoid Dehydration & Protect Your Health

Summer is almost here and we know you probably have some plans for home fitness in Phoenix or to spend some time outdoors for some fun in the sun! We'd just like to take the opportunity to remind you to be careful. Activity and home fitness in Phoenix in the heat (especially the desert!) can be hazardous to your health if you do not prepare yourself properly.

When you perform home fitness in Phoenix on a hot day, your body needs to send blood to both the working muscles and your skin so that you can increase loss of heat. This "competition" causes less blood to be distributed to both places and can cause problems including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Certain people, especially older adults and young children, are more vulnerable to the effects of heat and humidity. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, you should take extra precautions:

Cardiovascular disease
Obesity
Infection and/or fever
Hyperthyroidism

If you feel dehydrated, are wearing heavy clothing or taking particular drugs (alcohol, amphetamines, diuretics, blood pressure medication), or are in a new climate to which you have not yet acclimated, you may also be at risk.

Take precautions to prevent heat illness in hot environments. When heat and/or humidity are extremely high, it may be better to put off your outdoor exercise or home fitness in Phoenix until it cools down.

Here are some general precautions you can take to prevent heat stress or heat illness this summer:

Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
Take more breaks during days that are hotter than those of which you are accustomed
Avoid home fitness in Phoenix as well as other activity during the hottest part of the day
Drink plenty of water before, during and after you perform home fitness in Phoenix
Allow at least eight days to acclimate to a new hot or humid environment
Avoid alcohol and drugs, such as stimulants, that are known for dehydrating your system or are indicated as unsafe for use in the heat
Beware of the early signs of heat stress including dizziness, cramps, clammy skin and extreme weakness
If you do not tolerate heat or humidity well, try exercising indoors in an air-conditioned environment on extremely hot or humid days

Additionally, in the Arizona heat, your body dehydrates far faster than it does in cooler weather, and for your body to operate at full efficiency during home exercise, you need to be well hydrated. And, when it comes to home fitness in Phoenix, remember the rule "Drink Before Your Thirsty!"

Here are a few tips to help incorporate more water in to your daily routine:

1Carry water with you everywhere. You'll drink it if it is there.
2Add lemons, limes, and even cucumbers to change it up.
3Keep it cool/cold. You'll burn more calories as you body tries to warm it up.
4Alternate every other glass of what you typically drink with a glass of water.
5Try cutting your fruit juices with water. You won't even notice the change.
6Drink an entire glass of water before every meal.

Be safe, stay hydrated and have a great summer!