STAY HYDRATED THIS SUMMER
During this “melty” time of year, staying hydrated and listening to your body is even more vital. You know the drill, drink water! Start hydrating about half an hour before your workout, drink throughout, and then drink some more.
If you’re not a fan of plain water, plenty of electrolyte restoration powders are available. You can also try diluting a product like Liquid IV or adding a little salt and a squeeze of citrus to ice water.
Other ways to stay hydrated include:
• Enjoying high-water-content snacks like apples, broccoli, cantaloupe, celery, cucumbers, melons, and strawberries.
• Setting a timer or alarm to remind yourself to drink water.
• Getting a water bottle carrier so you always have your bottle with you.
• Brewing sun tea, sipping bubbly water, or indulging in chocolate milk. (Yes, chocolate milk is mostly water and contains carbs, protein, and electrolytes!)
This season, keep an eye on your out-of-area visitors. Do you know the signs of heat exhaustion? They range from heavy sweating to goosebumps. People suffering from too much heat can feel faint, dizzy, tired, weak, nauseated and have muscle cramps. You can help by encouraging them to stop exercising, sit in the shade (or inside the club), and hydrate. If not treated, this can lead to life-threatening heat stroke, when your body simply gets too hot to function properly.
Meet Stefanie McGee
Here to keep us on our toes is fitness strength trainer Stefanie McGee, leading Muscle Factory and Butts & Guts classes. She has 28 years of teaching fourth-grade kids, so she’s more than prepared to handle us!
Stefanie and her husband moved from Dover, Delaware, built a home in Burnt Store Lakes, and settled in at the end of last year. “We love the area and are enjoying the Florida way of life!” she says.
Once her friend, Gina Simon, let her know that the club was looking for a new instructor, Stefanie knew it would be a great fit. A quick study, she received her fitness instructor certification and got started!
“I love teaching and am excited about this new opportunity of teaching fitness,” she remarked. “And I have met a lot of nice people.” She teaches on Fridays and Saturdays at 9 a.m. Her goal is to ensure everyone uses proper form while using weights, challenging both mind and body.
“Ultimately, I want everyone who takes one of my classes to think, ‘Wow! I just did that, and it was fun!’” she shares. “I’m looking forward to meeting more people! Let’s go!”
