Summer Workouts!

Ahhh! first day of summer, the summer solstice...longest day of the year...whew! its hot as blazes out there and wish the sun would go down. Its really hard to workout when its this hot but I'm not willing to get out of shape so it looks like I'll need to make some changes. My motto is to break a sweat each day with exercise...well, these dog hot days leave you dripping with sweat without even lifting a finger, but you still have to get moving, work the heart, and strength train to keep your metabolism working in your favor. Remember, at rest muscle, burns more calories than fat, so even while your sleeping that beautiful muscle you've been developing is burning your metabolism very efficiently. For a really cool, stress-less workout get moving in the pool, lake or whever you swim. Jogging, skipping, jump rope arms, 50 degree turnabouts, side shuffles, whatever can be done in the water with no stress on the knees, hips or weight bearing joints. Use a noodle to biclycle, cross country ski, back stroke and reverse bicycle to get a great workout. Do bicep curls and tricep kickbacks while standing on one foot. Yes--you can lift weights in the water and its alot easier on your joints but still quite effective. And if keeping your hair dry, and/or not being able to swim is an issue...no worries, you can do all the suggested moves in water up to your chest! Just be a little creative and try whatever moves you do on land in the water ...you'll be surprise how easlily they convert.
If the pool is not an option, or to keep things interesting with your workouts then small burst of aerobic intervals mixed with strenth training(weights, or squats, lunges, plies, etc) are just perfect for your body! Say 5 minutes of jumping rope, or jumping jacks, then 2-3 minutes of strenth training on your back and shoulders; then repeat 5-minute of some kind of aerobics with 2-3mins. of strengthening another part of your body--say lower body(lunges, squats), then move to arms, etc. Three or four circuits of this will get it done!
This way you won't get too worn out doing 30-45 minutes of straight cardio on these hot days, but still get a great workout doing intervals. I actually like interval better and so does my body! Anyway--keep plugging away at it--DRINK WATER LIKE A CAMEL...and I'd love to hear any more fitness tips from anyone out there. Stay fit this summer!