This week, I want to talk about walking, jogging, and running. With the crazy weather we have been seeing across the country this week, many of us that are atmospherically blessed may be wanting to get out there and exercise. This is especially true if we look at pictures of the areas that there is snow. I know that when I saw the blizzard that Colorado had, I wanted to go outside and bask in the sun, that’s for sure. How do we know if it is a good day to exercise, though? What kind of weather should we wait for to really get outside? Here are some things to look for.
- Make sure that the temperature is comfortable for you to be outside in for an extended period of time. For some people this is around sixty degrees and for others it isn’t until the thermometer hits around eighty. Whatever is comfortable for you is fine, but you should wait for that.
- Check for rain or humidity in the forecast. If it is supposed to be muggy, you probably would be better off waiting until tomorrow to head outside to get your exercise in. Being outside in the heavy humidity can do more damage than anything else if you are not used to it.
- Whether it is sunny or overcast, pay attention to the UV index. Check to see how high it is or how high it will be in a couple of hours to plan your outdoor exercise. If you are unsure how high the index is, then it is always better to be safe than sorry and put on sunscreen before you leave your house.
- It doesn’t matter if you are going to be outside for a couple of minutes or a couple of hours. Be sure to bring a water bottle. Have actual water in it too. This is the best thing you can use to rehydrate yourself. If you are outside exercising, you want to do this so you don’t become dizzy or develop a heat related disorder.
While exercise is something we all should strive to do as often as possible, some days we just should not go outside to do it. On these days, you can jog in place at home or even take a day off. Sometimes it’s just safer to not exercise.
