Working out is working out, right?
Wrong.
Depending on the
environmental conditions where you live,
there may be extra precautions that you'll want to consider when
trying to lose weight by following a healthy diet and weight
loss program.
High Altitudes
High altitude environments have less available oxygen then those
closer to sea level. One of the effects of such altitude is that
the heart must beat faster in order to do the job of delivering
oxygen to the muscle tissues both while active and at rest.
Depending on the specific altitude and corresponding acitivity,
heart rates may soar as high as 50% above normal. Also, side
effects like hyperventilation, dizziness, insomnia, weakness,
headache, and irratability are also common in such an
environment.
Because of these possible outcomes, people who exercise in high
altitudes will definitely want to consult a local physician for
clearance before beginning their weight loss exercise program,
and may want to lower the intensity of their weight loss
cardiovascular activity---especially if they are beginners.
People living in high altitudes will also want to get medical
clearance before trying any diet pills, diet patch, or any other
weight loss product(s) that may elevate the heart rate to
eliminate risk of more complicated health concerns.
Exercising in Extreme Heat
Under normal circumstances, the body's temperature is at or
around 98°. In areas that have very high temperatures (around
100° or more), the body must adjust to maintain the proper
temperature by transferring some of its heat back into the
environment.
The primary result of this reaction is that he heart rate will
be higher than normal, similar to the effect of being in high
altitudes. To best aid the body in maintaining its normalcy
under such conditions, make sure to drink 3 to 6 oz. of water
for every 10 to 15 minutes of weight loss activity and allowing
as much sweat to evaporate as possible. It is also important to
wear as close to 100% cotton garments as well as stray away from
rubberized or water-proof garments that will prevent sweat
evaporation. Light colors should also be worn.
Exercising in the Cold
To the surprise as many, water replenishment is just as
important in the cold as it is in much warmer environments.
The fact of the matter is that water is lost as vapor as inhaled
during cardiovascular exercise and other activities that help
you to ultimately lose weight. There is also a risk of losing
too much body heat once you are done exercising.
To best be prepared to exercise in order to lose weight fast
while living in cold environments, make sure to dress in layers
to insulate body heat and drink plenty of water. Also wear a hat
to limit the amount of body heat that escapes through the head,
which is where most body heat is lost from.
To YourBestBody,
Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com
About the author:
See this Weight Loss
article on YourBestBodyNOW.com
Lawrence Cole is a Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant based out of
Los Angeles, CA. He has over 10 years of health and fitness
experience and designing simple, effective nutritional
strategies to help individuals achieve their personal best
internal health and physical conditioning.
