Column: Hot weather exercise

The incentive to exercise melts in hot weather. Having to deal with the heat, flies and humidity can deal a death blow to exercise habits. Even the word "exercise" can cause you to sweat.

However, I still see determined people maintaining their jogging, swimming and aerobics, so there must be some reason for fitness when the temperature hits 90.

The first and most important reason for hot weather fitness is to fit into the swimsuit! Vanity is a great motivator.

Food is another reason why so many people stick with exercise during the summer. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables to satisfy hunger. The calorie count is a lot less in fresh foods, and the fat content is zero.

Back to the swimsuit - the type of clothing you wear in the winter hides your fat rolls. Bulks sweaters and stretch pants hide what hangs out in the summer.

Another factor is body metabolism. Fat seems to accumulate easier in the winter, or perhaps it's because we are less active. It does seem easier to shed those winter pounds when the sun comes out. We fill every minute of summer weather with outside activities because the summers are so short.

Personally, I like a good soggy, sweaty workout. It clears my mind and body. And it takes a lot less effort to sweat when it's hot.

Exercise relieves stress. And there seems to be more stress when activity levels increase. When the temperature heats up, so do tempers. Kids are home, relatives are visiting and thought of getting away for an hour of fitness in a cool room begins to sound wonderful.

Summer fitness students are college students and teachers, vacationers and office people on vacation. Most of us have lapses in determination, but I am always amazed at how many new faces and return students I see when the temperature hits 90 degrees.

(Jerry Vance is certified by the American Council on Exercise and teaches fitness at the Carson City Community Center and for the American Lung Association.)