Safe Fun in the Sun

Enjoying the outdoors in the warm summer months can be a great way to motivate yourself to exercise. However, the damaging effects of excessive heat and sun exposure can counteract the benefits of physical activity. Heat-related illnesses range from mild to life-threatening, so use the following tips from the Mayo Clinic to safely enjoy the outdoors this summer:

Pay attention to warning signs. 
During hot-weather exercise, watch for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. If you ignore these symptoms, your condition can worsen, resulting in a medical emergency. Signs and symptoms include:

• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion

If you develop any of these symptoms, you must lower your body temperature and get hydrated. Stop exercising immediately and get out of the heat. If possible, have someone stay with you who can help monitor your condition. Remove extra clothing or sports equipment. Drink fluids - water or a sports drink. If possible, fan your body or wet down your body with cool water. If you don't feel better within 30 minutes, contact your doctor. If you have signs of heatstroke, seek immediate medical help.
 
Watch the temperature.  
Pay attention to weather forecasts and heat alerts. Know what the temperature is expected to be for the duration of your planned outdoor activity.
 
Get acclimated.  
If you're used to exercising indoors or in cooler weather, take it easy at first when you exercise in the heat. As your body adapts to the heat over the course of one to two weeks, gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts.

Know your fitness level.  
If you're unfit or new to exercise, be extra cautious when working out in the heat. Your body may have a lower tolerance to the heat. Reduce your exercise intensity and take frequent breaks.

Drink plenty of fluids.  
Dehydration is a key factor in heat illness. Help your body sweat and cool down by staying well hydrated with water. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. If you plan to exercise intensely or for longer than one hour, consider a sports drink instead of water. Sports drinks can replace the sodium, chloride and potassium you lose through sweating. Avoid alcoholic drinks because they can actually promote fluid loss.

Dress appropriately.  
Lightweight, loose fitting clothing helps sweat evaporate and keeps you cooler. Avoid dark colors, which can absorb heat. If possible, wear a light-colored, wide-brimmed hat.

Avoid midday sun.  
Exercise in the morning or evening, when it's likely to be cooler outdoors. If possible, exercise in shady areas - or do a water workout in a pool.
 
Wear sunscreen.  
A sun burn decreases your body's ability to cool itself [and increases risk of skin cancer].
 
Have a backup plan.  
If you're concerned about the heat or humidity, stay indoors. Work out at the gym, walk laps inside the mall or climb stairs inside an air-conditioned building.

Understand your medical risks.  
Certain medical conditions or medications can increase your risk of a heat-related illness. If you plan to exercise in the heat, talk to your doctor about precautions.
 
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ00316/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Growing Our Own - Getting the Garden Planted

My hubby was out playing in the garden today.  We bought some trellises for the cucumbers so that they would help to shade our basil and keep it from getting sun burnt. The beds are a mess because I wasn't able to manage them last year, they went fallow and the weeds went crazy.   He tilled the beds, but I feel like we're going to be fighting with the weeds for awhile.  We really need to do some clean up on the ground around the beds as well, but that can wait until after the beds are planted.

This year we're hoping to grow potatoes, tomatoes, onions, red bell pepper, jalapenos, cucumbers for slicing and pickling, basil, oregano, thyme, chives and lavender.  We've also been talking about pumpkin and some sort of melon.  LoL... Can you tell we eat a lot of Italian and Mexican?  Another potato tower will go in in a couple of weeks.  Staggering the planting keeps us from getting a zillion pounds of potatoes all at once.

My fibro and my desire for homegrown veggies are not always compatible. I hope that I'll be able to help him with the garden this year.   I helped weed a little bit, but my back is not happy with me, so I came in and took a muscle relaxer. I'm really proud of him getting this together again for us this year!

Here are a few pictures from today!

Something To Think About .2

Source: myrevelment.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Taking a break is okay.

There are times in all of our lives that the best we can do is just gather ourselves together so that when the next day comes we can hit it like a rock star. Taking a day off can be good for both your body and soul.

So go ahead and get all Scarlett for tomorrow is another day.

Does Shopping Count as Exercise?

I know, I've really been slacking when it comes to this blog.  It's problem because I've been in so much pain lately and I'm having a difficult time facing it.




Fibromyalgia is sort of an on and off type of condition.  I'm always in pain, but there are times that it's worse than others.  When it's bad, it's called a "Flare."  For the past two years, I've been fairly flare free, with only difficult point lasting a couple of weeks.  It seems however that with a mountain of new stress in my life,  that my body has decided to rebel.  For the past three weeks I've been worse than I can ever remember.

"But Kristen" you say "You just got back from Disneyland!"

Yes, yes I did... and I spent almost that entire vacation in a wheel chair, took loads of pain killers, and took 2 hour naps every afternoon.  If I hadn't, there's no way on earth I would have been able to manage the  parks.  In fact I even let myself be photographed in the EVC, something I usually go out of my way to avoid.  I just didn't even have the energy to get up.  I know I don't look sick, looks can be deceiving.

So, I haven't been working out at all.  I feel like a total slacker.  I hate feeling this way.  I have made two shopping trips with my girls since we've been home.  They needed formal dresses for an event later this summer... bright orange formals. Tori's we were able to find at GoodWill for $20, Katie's on the other hand I had to suck it up and order from David's Bridal. 

It's not "real" exercise, but it's the best that I can do for now.

Something To Think About .4

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristen on Pinterest

Well... What's stopping you?