Why it is important to beat the summer sun by staying cool and hydrated as you lose weight in Atlanta.

Summer is supposed to be the best time of the year to get out in the sun and have some fun. But in Atlanta, the summer months are incredibly hot, and this can make spending time outside less than ideal after your weight loss surgery. Taking advantage of the summer months to get active with new hobbies is great for weight loss, but not worth it if you are putting your health at risk every time you step outside. In the Atlanta area and throughout Georgia, it is not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 90 and even 100 degrees daily. If you are going to head outside, you must be smart about it. This means adapting strategies to help you stay healthy in the sun and staying in tune with your body’s needs.

Hydration and Sweat

Have you ever wondered exactly why you sweat so much when it is hot out? The body releases sweat in an attempt to naturally cool down our temperature. When the heat rises, the fluids come out to save the day. If you aren’t getting enough fluids you won’t sweat as much, and your body might have a difficult time maintaining an ideal temperature. This is where overheating becomes a threat.

Your body requires fluids to sweat, and by sweating you will lose fluids. The answer here is to make sure you hydrate—especially on hot days.

Other ways you can prevent your body from overheating in the summer is to:

• Exercise during the coolest time of the day, so in the early morning or the evening
• Find a way to exercise indoors, maybe with your own exercise equipment or by using workout videos
• Choose water based aerobic activities, like swimming, which will help you stay cool by keeping you in water.

Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water, at least 8 ounces every hours that you are outside. If you feel thirsty, stop and have a drink. Since drinking slowly is so important after gastric band surgery, it is really essential that you are proactive in hydrating when spending time outside.

Finally, make sure that you are dressed for the heat. Rather than dropping layers of clothing, choose the right way to dress. Use cotton or moisture-wicking fabric that will allow your skin room to breathe. Also, use a hat or headband to keep sweat out of your eyes and sun off of your face. If you can, keep a cooler around with an extra rag so that you can ice down your face and neck during hydration sessions.