Beat the Heat

They call them the lazy days of summer for a reason. The heat and humidity makes it easy to plant ourselves beside the pool, cool drink in hand and chips at the ready. Unfortunately, this is a formula for disaster for the fitness routines we have worked so hard to maintain throughout the year.

A summer spent sitting on our backsides, stuffing ourselves with all the goodies of summer can mean several extra pounds by the end of August. But I have a solution to this situation. Arm yourself with these five easy heat-beating calorie burners and head into the summer with a plan.

1. Head to the pool: I know that seems like the opposite of what I just said, but I wanted to be clear from the start that working out doesn’t have to be a chore. We all deserve to spend some time relaxing. But relaxing doesn’t have to be the same as vegging. Instead, use each of the adult swim sessions to swim. And don’t mosey through the water like grandma used to do. Instead, swim briskly to increase your heart rate and burn calories. Then repeat at each of the adult swims while you're there.

2. Stay at the pool: See, I told you I want you to stay cool and relaxed. If it's too hot to even sit by the pool with your latest beach read, hop in and hang out in the deep end. Either tread water or buy an aquajogging belt and run in place while talking to your friends. Either way, you'll stay nice and cool while burning calories and staying active.

3. Get rolling: Except on the hottest days of the summer, biking is a great alternative to running. The breeze generated by speeding through the streets and paths of College Park will help you stay cool throughout your workout.

4. Join a gym: Can you believe I just said that? There's a good reason for it. Gyms are empty throughout the summer. Most gyms hold summer membership specials—and the best part is that the gym is air conditioned. 

5. Be an early bird or a night owl: Even if you are going to implement tips one, two or three, use the early mornings and late evenings to add a run or walk to your schedule. It's much cooler, and there's far less traffic during the early mornings and evenings. Because I like to partake of lots of blueberry pie throughout the summer, I tend to add an early morning or late evening workout in addition to using the adult swims for my workouts.

There is no secret to staying fit and healthy. The equation is simple: If we eat more calories than we burn, we will gain weight. If we can balance the burned with the consumed, we will come out the other side of the summer months fit and healthy.