aExercising And the Heat

What about walking at the mall? That's what we do. Its HELL hot here and we don't go outside at all. I do see crazies out walking/jogging in the heat but its not for me. I have some friends that will meet me at the mall and sometimes its just me and my 12 yo. We just walk around the entire mall. Its great since there are bathrooms and drinking fountains. I hope you find something that works for you. =)

There is no way I can exercise in that heat. I would go for the treadmill (Craigslist is way to go) and search for the couch to 5k program. Will get you running for a 5k in weeks.

My heart rate when running is super high. It hits 200s and stays up after stopping too. I have been through a thorough heart work up and nothing's wrong. Your heart rate should get down the more in shape you get.

You have to be really careful in the heat. I just had a conversation about this with my husband yesterday. (We are in GA and it has been hitting 100 all this week, with high humidity, too). I just started running this past January and I was really starting to get into it with doing some speed work (to try to cut down time on my 3 miles that I like to run, b/c it just takes too much darn time to get the run in at my current speed, not because I want to do races necessarily). We discussed checking into a non-contract gym with a treadmill, since I don't have anywhere to put one right now. The bedroom has the total gym in it already, the garage has the Powertech system (not that I want to do treadmill work in the garage anyway---that's no improvement over outside).

If you have the space, I would go for a treadmill, or perhaps an elliptical.
As for actually getting up to "running" vs. walking... I didn't do Couch to 5K, but I have heard it recommended highly by several people. I just did my own... sort of a fartlek training program, lol.

Jog really slow until I couldn't, then walk. As soon as I wasn't breathing too heavily, jog some more. I began counting each step/stride on one foot. Every time my left foot hit, for example, I'd count, and then I'd set goals for myself. If I could only run for 60 strides, then I'd push to 65. When I could do 65, I'd push to 70. Eventually (in a very short time) I was counting "minutes" that way. Running for 2 minutes (120 strides--I know, not exact), walking until I could breath. Running for 90 seconds, walking. Etc. Then in what seemed like nothing, I was running for 700 seconds/strides. Then it became mind numbing to count, and I started using my wristwatch. I used my car's odometer to measure the distance to certain landmarks and use those as goals. When I finally could run .7 miles without stopping I was THRILLED. Then I pushed really hard one day (too hard) and went 1.7 miles without stopping, and felt like I was going to throw up. My husband said to slow down, I was running too fast. (not really.. but for ME, it was) I did slow down (wasn't sure it was possible to go any slower than I was!), and I went an entire 2 miles. Since then, I don't push too hard. I did fartlek sprints and then slow jogs.

But, in the heat the last week or so, I haven't been able to get out. I am NOT a morning person, and by the time it is "cool" enough (below about 88 for me) it is too late, because it is almost dark outside.

You CAN teach/train your body to "run" it all without walking, but walking is part of the training... just keep going when you have to walk. Don't stop moving or your legs become dead weight.
And with the heat where you are, I would def. go with treadmill inside... not waiting until the evening or messing with a stroller. I know some people do the strollers, but for me, that affects your stride and exertion level, and in the heat where you are, and a relative "beginner" (not unlike myself) I think you would be pushing yourself to do too much too soon.

Just having my well trained dog on a leash affects my stride, because I am gripping the leash. :( So it is def. something to consider...

I live in Phoenix, and it's still 104 degrees right now at 10pm. You just really can't be out there exercising like normal during the summer in the desert. It's not very healthy or safe to do.

I'd say, try to find an indoor workout that you enjoy, either a home gym, a treadmill, elliptical, or a DVD work out. What about joining a gym? You could sign your DD up for the childcare there and get a nice peaceful workout in.

I personally don't like treadmills, but I also don't live where it exceeds 100 degrees. That might be your best option since it allows you to walk/jog any time of the day that works for you. I typically run at dusk or after dark when our days get hot here.

I did buy a jogging stroller when my daughter was almost 5 (and she's always been big for her age). It got quite a bit of use before she outgrew it. I would check on the weight limits of the jogging strollers and compare that to your daughter's size. Also, depending on how much the heat bothers her, she might not even like to be in the stroller for very long.

Your heart rate being that high 30 minutes after exercise is not ok! A racing heart can be one of the signs of heat exhaistion. Personally I would SLOWLY work into running-Do interval training for now. For example sprint 10 seconds, walk for 1 minute and repeat several times. Usually when doing intervals you are supposed to go full out for at least 30 seconds but if you aren't used to running don't do it!!! I would stick with the speed walking and if you can go out at 8 or even after your daughter is asleep. Another thought is to maybe see if you can get your hands on a P90x dvd-called plyometrics(jump training). It has alot of squats but is intense enough that I can use that for quite awhile in lieu of running.
Try biking instead of running also-you are moving faster so the wind keeps you cooler. Another thought is to go speed walk at your local mall-lots of people do this! Swimming is a great alternative to-for every mile you swim it's the equivalent of running 4! I would not get a stroller!

I don't live in CA but I live in AR, It's been getting over 100 here and we have so much humidity that even at 80 it can be unbearable and hard to breath outside. Personally, I would get the treadmill or find a different exercise rutine that you can do indoors.
At 6 years old your little girl would love to be exercising with you and it would be a great way to teach her about being healthy and fit, rather than excluding her from that part of your life or being stuck in a stroller while you were walking.
I haven't been exercising as much as I used to, but when I did, I used exercise videos inside with both my children, they are now 8 and 5, and they loved it. If it got too much for them they would just sit down for a little bit, but then got right back up. And these were not kiddy exercises either but they still loved them and gave it their all. My son has been asking me about doing them again.

I have a treadmill that will only fit in my garage so I can't use it in the summer because it get 100+ degrees in the summer. So instead I do workout videos in my living room.Alot of the videos require handweights so I keep a set of one lb weights that my three year old uses as he trys to workout with me. Or you can get a ropeless jump rope and take up that. Jump roping builds stamina so when you get back to jogging you will be able to go longer.

Can you go work out after your daughter goes to bed? That's generally my workout time. Please make sure you're drinking plenty of water if you're exercising outdoors.

As far as starting a jogging routine, look at Couch to 5k. It's a great "beginner" system for working your way up to running 5k. It includes a mix of walking and jogging.

I am personally not a fan of walking at the mall. I'm not able to get my heartrate up when i'm walking in a mall trying to avoid people and not look like a crazy lady. :) If i'm not walking/jogging outdoors, I head to my nearby gym.

i absolutely recommend a treadmill! i love mine.

and i was helping my brother move on saturday and passed out from heat/dehydration even though i thought i had been drinking enough (and this was about 6:00- it was a 100 degree day). SO it can sneak up on you. i totally would get a treadmill. you can do it at any time and it's SO much more convenient.