Beat the Heat

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With the temperatures soaring this time of year, it is often difficult to get motivated to exercise (especially when a cold drink is calling your name). Here are some tips to help you beat the heat and stick to your workout this summer.

1. Pick the Right Time
It is best to do your outdoor workout in the mornings or the evenings. The sun is the hottest between 11am and 3pm, so use that time to relax in the shade.

2. Take a Dip
Swimming is a great workout so jump in the water with your family and friends. Many recreation facilities also offer aqua fitness classes, which can be fun and challenging.

3. Be Flexible
Summer is a busy time for many of us so you may not be able to do your workout at the time or the place that you are used to. If you are on vacation, take a walk along the beach. Up at the cottage? Go for a bike ride with the family.


Stay Healthy,
Tracy

Return of the Sauna Suit

The weather has been so hot in Ontario the last few days; I decided to opt for a morning swim instead of my daily walk. The pool at my apartment is a separate complex with change rooms and a small workout area. As I was entering the pool area today, I looked up through the window into the gym area and saw a woman on the treadmill wearing a sauna suit.

A sauna suit! Really?

For those of you who are not familiar with this contraption, a sauna suit looks very much like a track suit and is typically made with vinyl, nylon and even plastic. The idea behind the suit is to trap heat so the body will sweat more during a workout. This is thought to increase calories burn and help shed weight.

Sounds good, right? Not so fast...

The only thing the body will lose is water that will easily be replenished when you drink and eat. You can also run the risk of overheating the body which can cause dizziness and fainting.

People are always looking for a quick fix and although you might lose some water weight using a sauna suit, it will not lead to permanent weight loss and can be dangerous.

The bottom line: Stay on the treadmill, but skip the suit.

Stay Healthy,
Tracy