Christmas and spring break are over so that means it’s time to go back to staying fit. If you’re like a lot of people, you will use the summer vacation (or spring season) to lose all the weight you’ve gained in the past few months.
But before you get excited to hit the gym first thing in the morning, try to avoid these 7 summer fitness mistakes that will take a toll on your health.
1. Exercising Outdoors
While you want to take advantage of the sun shining brightly, it’s not safe for you to exercise outdoors when it’s really hot.
The chances of you getting skin cancer or a heat stroke become high when you stay under the sun for too long. If you really want to exercise, opt to work out inside your home or in an air-conditioned gym.
2. Exercising During Noon
Another common mistake is exercising during noon time. Because some people wake up late during the summer, their schedule gets pushed back later in the day. So, if you used to exercise in the morning, it gets pushed to midday.
However, doing this will just tire your body out. Midday is the time when the sun shine’s the brightest and it’s also the hottest part of the day. As much as possible, choose a day when it’s cooler so you don’t overexert yourself.
3. Overhydrating
Summer, along with all the other seasons, is a great time to stay hydrated. But most people make the mistake of drinking too many liquids that it becomes counterproductive to their health.
If you’re guilty of this, what you can do is avoid overhydrating. Stick to 8 glasses of water a day and avoid drinking all the time. Try to be aware of how much you’ve drunk so you don’t end up drinking more.
4. Not Wearing Sunscreen
If you choose to exercise outdoors, then you should always wear sunscreen. Some people would say that they don’t need sunscreen because they exercise early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
However, no matter what time of the day, you should still protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays.
5. Drinking Coffee Before a Workout
A lot of people swear by drinking coffee before a workout. While it is generally okay to do so, you should avoid doing this during the summer.
Coffee increases your chances of getting dehydrated during a workout, so it’s best to save it for later.
6. Bringing Your Dog with You
When you have a pet at home, it becomes so tempting to bring them out for a run. Even if it’s a great motivator for you to run along with them, this isn’t good for your furry friend.
The summer heat will easily make them dehydrated and prone to sickness. Besides, you’ll have a hard time tracking your fitness goals if you have to fend for your dog during your workout.
7. Wearing Dark and Tight Clothing
Lastly, it’s not wise to wear dark and tight clothing during your workouts. These clothes are better suited for colder days because your body needs to feel warm.
But if you are working out in the summer, you have to allow your body to breathe and to attract the cold. Wearing light-clothing will help you feel cooler and lighter during your workouts.
