That big shiny thing in the sky… I’m told that’s the sun. According to the weather man “June-uary” is over and the heat has finally arrived. How exciting!
Before we all just rush outdoors to soak it all in I wanted to point out that we Vancouverites are not so great at dealing with warm days (kind of in the same way we aren’t great with snow. How can you be expected to be good at something if you never get to experience it am I right?). Let’s take this opportunity to remind ourselves of some important factors to consider before heading out into the sun to exercise.
Nicole’s Top Tips for Summer Exercise
Stay hydrated! Your body will sweat extra when it is hot out. Keep yourself cool and help prevent heat injury (such as heat stoke) by keeping the H2O handy!
Be aware of your fitness level. Unless you are acclimated to the heat your exercise tolerance will go down when it is hot out. Take it easy and listen to your body. Go at an intensity that feels good for you. You probably won’t be able to run as far or as fast when it’s 28 degrees out as you did a few weeks go when it was 10 degrees and cloudy. And that’s okay.
Timing is everything. Take advantage of the long days! Early mornings and late evenings are significantly cooler and more pleasant for exercise (or just to exist in generally speaking, just ask my golden retriever).
Wear sunscreen. Just do it.
Wear appropriate clothes. Loose fitting thin clothes in a light colour will help you stay cool.
Location location location! Is there a shady spot that you could go for your run instead of the track? Could you bike along the water where there is a breeze? It’s worth checking out!
Some of our favourite outdoor summer exercise opportunities in Delta include:
Swimming - Whether it’s at Centennial Beach, the outdoor pools in Ladner and North Delta, or your own backyard, swimming has many benefits. It’s great exercise, it’s fun and it keeps you cool. What’s not to love?
Hiking or nature walks - If climbing mountains isn’t your thing than A) you chose the right place to live because Ladner is as flat as a pancake, and B) Delta has some lovely little forest walks including Deas Island, Watershed Park and Burns Bog. If mountains are your thing then that’s great too. Be safe and take pictures for us!
Walking - Walking as exercise is underrated. It gives you cardiovascular benefits and is well tolerated when it’s hot out (need more details? Check out our earlier blog on the health benefits of walking as well as our favourite walks in our neighborhood). You can make a walk more challenging by changing the terrain (walking on sand is more difficult that concrete) or by increasing distance. Remember that walking doesn’t have to be fancy - I love my evening neighbourhood walks with my dog.
Water sports - Paddle boarding and kayaking are great options in South Delta. They work your core and upper body while you get to stay cool out on the water. Just remember your hat and sunscreen!
Remember to go indoors if needed - not everyone likes the heat and that’s okay too. You could do yoga inside your own home, or workout at the gym (woo hoo for air conditioning).
Whatever you decide, I hope you have a great time and stay safe. It’s been a doozy of a year and I’m glad that we can all take an opportunity to enjoy some of this lovely weather.