Keeping Active and Safe This Summer

Ashley Goudey- Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Agent

Whew, summer is definitely here! Even though it’s very hot we have to keep our bodies moving and feeling good! We may feel it’s tough to get active in the heat but there are tricks to sneaking in exercise in the dog days of summer. Our goal is still 150 minutes of moderate/vigorous physical activity a week which reduces your risk to chronic disease. Here are tips to keeping active and safe in the heat.

•  Get moving at the coolest times of the day which are the morning and late evening. Avoid physical activity and exercise between 10a-3pm-typically the hottest part of the day. 
•  Go Swimming. Does your town have a pool or do you live near a lake? Even better, does your pool have an adult swim or an aerobics class? I encourage you to check it out; you are bound to make friends, cool off, have fun, and get exercise all in one! 
•  Move it indoors. Pop in an exercise video, walk on your treadmill, crunches, push-ups, and walking up and down stairs will do the trick. 
•  Keep a watchful eye on your children when they are active in the sun. Make sure they are drinking plenty of water; the goal is to drink ½ cup-2 cups of water every 15-20 minutes while exercising. 
•  Wear light colored, breathable clothing, a hat to cover your face and appropriate footwear. 
•  Make it a habit to apply sunscreen each time you will be outside in the summer. 
•  Lastly, keep water close by to keep hydrated, take water breaks often, and move into the shade to keep cool this summer!