Plan for your summer months of pedometer steps. You know your climate and if it includes hot and humid then unless you’re experienced at walking and being active in the heat it is a good idea to think of alternative ways to exercise in comfort and with limited heat exposure.
Consider your options: a gym or indoor activity center, preferably air conditioned if you live in a hot or humid climate is perfect for those times when you must exercise in the heat. Alternatives such as air conditioned corridors of hospitals or office buildings, shopping malls and airports may suit your circumstances. An obvious option which I use is to walk at cooler times of the day. This is not always viable because of personal circustances or because the weather just never gets cool!
Wear your pedometer! With less clothing in summer it is more important to have a safe, secure and attractive, pedometer. This is important more to some than others.
Walking shoes-protection for your feet combined with temperature control, is an important combination. “Good” old fashioned walking shoes can be heavy and hot, leading to the popularity of the new style walking sandals or slides. It can take a while to get accustomed to a walking slide so don’t be turned off before trying if you can afford to test them.
Pedometer steps walking done on a beach can be beautiful at the right time, but generally not in the middle of the day when the sun is burning at its maximum and the sand is both hotter and reflects more heat. If this is something you can do a bit of for your regular pedometer walks then use and take sun screen, protective clothing and hat, sunglasses and flip flops, as well as replacing water lost through sweating regularly. Walking in soft sand or shallow water is fantastic exercise so do this as much as you can if you have the option.
Carry sun screen at all times. I prefer the roll on types (with maximum SPF) because they are easier to use when juggling bags etc.
When walking outside consider the surface you are on. White concrete can be very hot. Grass paths and shady routes are great at this time of year.
Pedometer steps is an activity based program so it relies on you choosing active options throughout your day. Your pedometer steps tally will be constantly increasing as you choose to take the ‘harder’ options such as walking to work, the bus stop or church. This often works better in some seasons then others so again look for inside options including the Nintendo Wii or exercise DVD. The local gym can supply classes or a treadmill.
Gym membership can be a real asset although casual use of a gym is also a good back up for those days when consistent hot weather means you need easy alternatives to prevent the “excuse creep of bad weather” causing decreased average pedometer steps. Don’t let the weather stop you from living your weight loss dreams!
It is worthwhile finding the right gym for your current circumstances. Membership options and flexibility changes all the time. I have found over the years that regularly checking what is new or changes to the options often reveals other alternatives to try. Your needs may change or the gym may have become more attuned to your unique requirements. Maybe suggest changes to the structure which might benefit a pedometer steps approach.
Be prepared for summer as walking for weight loss is a lifestyle and as such needs consistent availability of real pedometer steps counting options.