When is it Too Hot to Workout w/ Lipedema?

Being able to get out to the park every Saturday has been one of my biggest goals. It has changed over the years as my mobility has shifted from almost none, to walking and doing as much as I want, to needing a mobility aid since menopause. 

The heat is not my friend and the summer months are brutal for me. 

So when it gets so hot outside, like today, I have to question if going to my outdoor workout in the park is a good idea for me. 

Let’s start with zero desire to get into my compression when it’s this hot. I’ve grown ok with wearing my 30-40 knee highs every day, but workouts require more support and more compression, and that goes from toes to just over my chest. Sports bras are big time challenges - I need the support but the nodules in my ribs can be too painful to wear anything too tight. It becomes a battle to find the perfect sports bra that is supportive, but not too tight.

I did not want to put anything on today. At 7am it was already too hot. But since I’ve been working from home, getting out is less than I would like, and I truly love being able to get to the park. So I charged my personal fan, packed ice cold water, and wheeled Helga to the shade of my favorite tree. 

The mugginess and triple layers of compression made breathing challenging, so slowing down was key. 

My biggest focus is not over heating. And thinking of the positives… The warmth felt good on my muscles, they relax quicker in the warmth of the sun, which makes fascia massage easier, all part of the ground work I do before and after every workout. The sky was a beautiful blue with white fluffy clouds, and the smell of the grass was lovely. I watched a lady bug drying out her wings, as I did push-ups right next to her on my mat. 

I’m glad I got outside (first thing) so I could enjoy the park and get grounded emotionally and physically. 

Hope you all had a happy Saturday and found fun ways to stay cool. Oh and the workout was rope flow transitions (moving from one technique into the next), I even incorporated some sit to stands while swinging the rope.