When the rest of the country thinks of Arizona, they think of in-shape residents with perfect tans, thanks to our 8-month summer. But Arizona isn’t necessarily as fit as the rest of the country may think. We do rank fairly low in terms of national obesity levels, at 34th out of 50 but despite this, levels of obesity have been consistently increasing since the 1990s, even doubling in the last 16 years.

Even though comparatively our percentage of adulthood obesity is low, it’s still on the rise. Why is that?

In a 2012 report about the state of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in Arizona, studies showed that 19% of Arizona adults hadn’t done any physical activity in the past month. The report also found that 15.6% of adults in Arizona don’t participate in any physical activity at all, and that 33.3% of Arizona adults watch 3 or more hours of television per weekday.

These numbers are shocking.

It’s easy to understand why Arizona residents are opting to stay indoors, since it can become unbearably hot during the summer. But working out outside isn’t your only option! We need to start prioritizing fitness year-round.

Tips to keeping up with your fitness routine in the hotter months

There are lots of opportunities to stay fit during the summer.

• If you aren’t already a member, join a gym
• Turn your living room into a gym with on demand at-home fitness programs

If you absolutely have to work out outside, be sure to take proper precautions to stay safe.

• If you’re a runner, go during cooler hours - think early morning, and late evening
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Wear sunscreen
• Go for a swim, but be sure to lather on the SPF

Physical fitness is vital to our longevity and overall well-being. The Arizona heat makes it tempting to stay indoors, but that just means we need to put in extra effort to stay fit during the summer.

The Consequences of Avoiding Exercise

Failing to exercise can cause serious damage to our bodies. Obesity is one concern, but others include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Put a focus on fitness this summer to keep your body healthy. A simple 20 minute walk a day can make a world of difference.

A lot of health conditions can lay low without symptoms so we don’t know about them, and our annual check-ups don’t always test for them. If you want to take control of your health, you need to know what’s going on in your body. Schedule you functional medicine consult today to get started.