Workout Weariness
5 Ways to Beat the Summertime Blahs
August 2025 Issue
Energy Express by Marilynn Preston
My friend Bobbie is bored with her workouts.
We talked about it. She feels so ... blah.
Your stress plays a part, I explained. Unrelieved stress can trigger negative emotions, I told her, translating into boredom on the bike and in the gym. "Really?" she wondered, sounding relieved.
That heavy, lethargic feeling of "who cares?" could also be because Bobbie is a chronic perfectionist, famous for pushing herself too hard at everything she does. Boredom is your body's natural defense against overdoing it, I explained.
Bobbie's boredom could also come from not having changed her workout routine for the last three years. First she does the elliptical; then she does weights; then she runs 3-5 junk miles every other day. It's the Mindless Rut Syndrome, I told her, and that, too, can lead to a drag-down case of the ho-hums. (What are friends for?)
So this column is dedicated to all the Bobbies out there, who are burned out and don't know why, who want to reenergize their workouts and beat back the summertime blahs:
Rest more.
Surprise! Sometimes doing less in summer gets you better results than doing too much. This is certainly true when it comes to training for a race or important game. Instead of giving 100 percent right up to the big event, allow yourself time to slow down, slack off and rest. Rest restores calm and energy to your body. And so does 10-20 minutes a day of mindful meditation. Add that to your workout routine this summer and boredom will give way to focus, and next thing you know, you're back in love with running, softball, tennis or whatever you were ready to kiss goodbye.
Get wet.
Summer's the perfect time to dive into some kind of water training. I'm not talking about swimming laps, though that's good, too. Get a buoyancy belt—I love my AquaJogger—and imitate the motion of your favorite sport while you're suspended in the water. Targeted, vigorous, sport-specific water workouts can make you a faster runner or a more competitive golfer or tennis player. The resistance of the water builds strength and increases flexibility in the precise range of motion you use on land. Suspended in water, you can run, cross-country ski or practice your backhand, and part of the wonder of water workouts is there's no stress on your joints. Plus, it's a great way to beat the heat and have some fun!
Play with others.
Boredom goes away when you do something new with people you like. So gather some friends, and brainstorm about a sport or activity that you've never done before. Pitch in on a croquet set. Fall in love with bocce ball. Ride your bike to to the grocery store. Finally, pick up that Pickleball racket. Take sunrise beach power walks.
There's no limit to the possibilities: Hire a badminton teacher for a day of instruction and giggles. Organize a team and run, bike or swim for a charity. Competitive kite-flying? Join the Shag Dancing Club?
Take four lessons.
What sport or activity do you dream about but haven't tried? Take a moment, breathe deeply and let go of any fear or excuse that's been holding you back.
Dying to take a stab at karate? Stand-up paddle boarding? Ballroom dancing? In these last days of summer, give yourself the gift of lessons in an activity that sparks joy. Maybe it's the tango. Or aikido. If you don't have a secret longing, do yoga. (You can thank me later.)
Commit to four lessons: One to get started; one to come back to; one to relax and rejoice in; and one to go further, if it's your new favorite thing.
Self challenge.
If you do the same workout at the same pace, day after day, your brain goes on remote control, and you're bound to get bored. That's why people set goals and hire trainers, to come up with stimulating new challenges, synapse-sprouting new routines. This August, I challenge you to challenge yourself. Step up the intensity of your workout. Add sprints. Experiment with new routes. Do interval training. Growth is part of life, and the closer you come to your edge, at any age, the more alive you'll feel.
In the Heat of Summer,
How to Avoid Heat Illness—or Else!
August in three words—hot and humid.
Are you fit to deal with high heat and humidity? Maybe yes, maybe no.
If you're mindless about your outdoor activities and workouts—pushing too hard, drinking too little, ignoring warning signals from your body—you can bring on a case of heat illness.
It's scary and dangerous and can send you to the hospital, where fun goes to die. But the more you know about the signs and symptoms, the better able you will be to prevent or treat it yourself. Time for some learning:
HEAT CRAMPS are considered stage 1 symptoms of heat illness. Typically, you feel severe pain and cramps in your stomach and/or your legs. You may also feel faint, dizzy or weak. Heavy sweating shouldn't surprise you.
When you put it all together, own up to the fact that you are in some trouble. Then slow down, way down, even to the point of complete rest. Massage your cramped muscles or get someone else to do it.
Very important: Replace all your lost body fluids. That means drink, drink, drink. Water is best. If you want to flavor it with a little fruit juice, OK, but all fruit juice, all the time is not smart and way too heavy a load of sugar. Electrolyte replacement is also advised.
HEAT EXHAUSTION can happen when long exposure to the heat overwhelms you. It can happen on a long run, a bike ride, even the golf course. You feel nauseated, dizzy, and weak. You get a headache or feel disoriented. Your skin feels moist and looks pale. These symptoms require immediate attention.
Move or get help moving to a cooler area. Lower your body temperature by splashing or wiping down with some cool water. Lie down (before you fall down), feet propped up, and calm yourself with some deep breathing.
Replace all fluids lost, but don't over-hydrate. If you don't feel better soon—and certainly if you feel worse—consider it a serious case of heat illness, and call the paramedics.
HEAT STROKE can be a killer. It can happen suddenly, without warning. Signs include a very high body temperature, fast pulse, and confusion. Contrary to what you might think, there is a lack of sweating. The skin is hot and dry. You might even lose consciousness.
Before you do, insist that someone call 911, and get to an emergency room. A person having a heat stroke needs to have the body cooled—with water or ice, especially around the groin, neck and armpits—as quickly as possible. If the person isn't conscious, don't force him to drink. Monitor breathing closely. If breathing stops, start CPR. If you don't know CPR, sign up now for a basic four-hour course. (I do every two years, and in between, I pray I'll never have to use it.)
Heat illness can be prevented. Use your head, and listen to your body. Exercise indoors or in the cooler parts of the day, drink all the fluids you need, and don't ignore signs of trouble.
ENERGY EXPRESS-O!
KNOW THYSELF
“Someone's boring me. I think it's me.”
— Dylan Thomas —
Marilynn Preston is the author of Energy Express, America's longest-running healthy lifestyle column. Her book All Is Well: The Art {and Science} of Personal Well-Being is available on Amazon and elsewhere. For more on personal well-being, visit www.MarilynnPreston.com.
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