The country is in the middle of a heat wave and, since I live in the California desert, it’s even hotter here. The last few days it has topped out at 120 degrees with more of the same forecast in the week ahead. Not to mention that the humidity has been unusually high, making it feel even hotter. How does a person survive and stay active in a desert heat wave? It is possible, but planning and flexibility are key.
This post is sponsored by Starkey Water. All opinions are my own.
I’ve lived in the desert for almost 40 years, so I might be considered an expert on the subject on how to survive and stay active in a desert heat wave. Although the extreme temperatures of the last couple of weeks have challenged even me, I have managed to get in my runs, complete my errands, and even have fun, in spite of the heat. Here are some of the tips that I follow to help me stay cool during a desert heat wave.
Here are some tips how I stay active during a desert heat wave when the temps hit up to 120, including drinking @StarkeyWaterCo to stay hydrated. Get more tips plus enter the #giveaway for a case of #StarkeyWater and $50 #WholeFoods GC! #ad #deepdowngoodClick To TweetHow I Survive and stay Active in a Desert Heat Wave
The weather has been so extreme this summer that I thought the topic of hot weather deserved a revisit to include not only fitness but general activity as well. I was recently sent a sample of Starkey Water and it has helped me stay hydrated, which is probably the most important thing you can do during a heat wave, so I thought I’d share the other tips I use to survive and stay active in the heat of the summer. Plus, enter the giveaway below for the chance to win a case of Starkey Water and a $50 Whole Foods gift card!
Do It Early
General advice for activity in the heat is to get it in either in the morning or later on, after the sun has gone down. Well, during this desert heat wave, you’d have to wait until about 1:00 in the morning before the temperature even dips below 100 degrees! Therefore, whether it’s outdoor exercise, yard work, or running errands, I suggest doing it early in the morning.
There is another reason to get chores done early. Using appliances like washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers not only heat up your house, they put extra strain on the power grid, which is already working overtime to keep all the air conditioners running. Over the last week, there have been several power outages in the desert, which is scary when it’s 120 outside. Likewise, using the oven, or cooking period, might be something to avoid if you can. I know that I eat a lot of salads all summer long!
Move It Indoors
Moving your workout indoors is one way to deal with a desert heat wave. While I’ve managed to avoid it so far, running or walking on a treadmill is an option, as is any indoor workout.
A hot summer afternoon is a great time to head to the mall or the movie theater. When it’s 120 outside, hunkering down indoors is wise, but you can still stay cool in the air conditioning while at least getting out of the house for a while.
Adjust Your Expectations
Realizing that doing anything during a desert heat wave is more challenging will help you adjust your expectations and come to terms with getting less accomplished even though the effort level is still high. As an athlete, this will pay off when the weather cools down.
Be Smart
When the heat and humidity are extreme, you may need to adjust your workout or skip it altogether. Sometimes, the smart thing to do is to stay indoors, take it easy, and save it for another day.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Staying hydrated is probably the most important thing you can do during a desert heat wave. Or any time really, though it’s more difficult when it is hot and humid. Keep the water flowing constantly to avoid the potential danger of dehydration.
It can be hard to keep drinking water constantly, which is why I’m happy that I discovered Starkey Water. Not only is drinking Starkey Water a natural, effective way to stay hydrated, it tastes delicious and smooth, making it easy to keep drinking.
Starkey Water is sourced naturally from more than two miles deep under the earth in Idaho, where it originally fell as rain or snow 11,000 years ago. There it penetrated the Imnaha Basalt-a volcanic formation and flowed through the rocks until it worked it’s way back to the surface, mineralized and lightly alkaline with a pH of 9.6. There is no man-made technology or process. Mother Earth does all the work.
Set in the foothills of the Idaho Mountains, the spring was first discovered by Native Americans, then was sought by settlers for its mineral-rich, healing waters. The springs are named after Dr. Richard Starkey who set about turning it into a “true health and pleasure resort” in the early 1900s.
All of this gives Starkey Water a silky-smooth, soft taste that makes it perfect for post-workout or all day rehydration. I have found that if I keep it cold (my favorite) and keep refilling the water flask that I carry everywhere I recover more quickly after my runs and feel better throughout the day. I love that Starkey Water is served in either BPA-free plastic or glass bottles. You can purchase Starkey Water at Whole Foods or on Amazon.
Starkey Water Giveaway! Plus a $50 Whole Foods gift card!
You can enter to win a case of 1-liter glass bottles of Starkey Water plus a $50 Whole Foods gift card! Simply use the Rafflecopter below.
Do you struggle to stay hydrated in hot weather?
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Lora Marie, Marc, and Me!
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
Weekly Wrap with Wendy and Holly
Great tips! I’ve definitely been trying to hydrate more lately because I’m pretty sure I rarely (if ever) drink enough water. I do a lot more indoor (or early morning/late evening) workouts when it’s super hot outside.
Thanks for the giveaway!
When it’s hot, I”ll still get outside but maybe much earlier than usual. Sometimes I”ll adjust my workout, for example riding my bike instead of running. If I’m running, I definitely slow down. I did take to the treadmill once this summer–it’s not my favorite thing to do but sometimes you have to .
Any time it goes above 80 degrees, I die lol. I would never be able to live in the desert 😛 This does look refreshing though – glad you’re staying (mostly) cool!
I go out to exercise early in the morning or I exercise indoors.
I go for a fast walk in the evening, after sundown, but before it gets dark. I used to bike really early in the morning on days predicted to be sweltering, but my bike got stolen and don’t have another at this point.
I had a really hard time when I lived in the desert…intense heat and few fountains. Here, we have some great water – it helps to make good bourbon. Ha. My husband still takes some to his office, tho, and would love to try this!
I go to an indoor gym with air conditioning.
I workout in the basement.
Loads of water and indoor gym!
gym with AC
I do indoor group fitness and stay hydrated with air condition
I drink lot’s of water and go for swims
I definitely stay hydrated got to drink lots of water and every now and then i’ll stop and take a quick breather under a tree if there is one nearby
I either run early in the morning to beat the heat or I workout at the gym.
I hit the gym with good AC for my workouts when it is too hot outside
I go to the air conditioned YMCA.
If I have to exercise outside, I try to do it very early before it gets too hot. I also have a gym membership so I normally take my workout indoors too
I hydrate all the time – and always carry water on the run.
Going to the gym in the air conditioner.
My family lives in Northern California so we definitely know how the heat can really curb any outside activities. Our family likes to get started early in the morning before the oppressive heat sets in. We will go for family walks on the local park “hiking” trails or we go visit the large mall and walk around it inside a couple of times. Of course we have to stop for a fresh fruit smoothie and maybe a soft pretzel too.
I do yoga inside during our hot California summers.
I’m also in the California desert (Hemet) and during the summer months if I don’t get my outdoor activities done by 9am they just aren’t happening. The smoke the past week has limited our outdoor time even more.
I am used to the heat, so it doesn’t slow me down.
I stay active by swimming when it is hot outside!
I work out at our air-conditioned gym.
I make sure to stay hydrated!
Drink lots of water and a lot of swimming
indoor exercises with air conditioning or go swimming
I survive by drinking tons of water and staying in the shade! I don’t get super hot like lot of people so I use it to my benefit.
We have indoor exercise equipment we can use when it’s hot outside
I drink lots of water and exercise early morning
I do more late at night or early in the morning.
I turn on YouTube and dance with my toddler indoors.
I try and stay inside lol
I use a full body vibration machine indoors because I just can’t handle the heat anymore.
I drink a lot of mineral water and swim as much as I can!
Taking walks after dark or in the mall
I stay active by swimming at the pool and lake
I Run In Our Metro Park in The Early Morning Lots Of Water
Great tips! I go for walks after dinner in the summer, when it’s a bit cooler out.
I go swimming!
That is a hard question especially when you have kids because they require more than we do. My plan is always if you see sweat drink some water! That is the best solution.
I usually workout in the gym indoors.
I drink a lot of water. like a TON1
thanks!
I stay hydrated as much as possible.
We live near a lake so we go swimming or kayaking on a daily basis.
It does get hot here in the South! My hubby and I try to exercise five days a week by walking several miles but when it is so hot we workout indoors. We have a treadmill, stationary bike and weights so we are prepared for a heat wave.
I love to swim laps in the pool when it’s hot!
Going on my morning walks
Honestly, I’m not overly active during a heat wave. If anything I will go to the gym or go hiking in the woods – it’s a bit cooler there.
I workout in the basement and always have my yeti near me.
I go walking around evening time.
Keeping water in my bag is the way i stay hydrated
I stay hydrated by carrying a gallon jug of water around with me!