Do you think if "we" were fitter we'd suffer less in the heat?

[munemema]

There's been lots here about how difficult everyone is finding it.

I'm a typically fair Celt and used to be one of them.

But I got fit about a decade ago and haven't really suffered since. I wouldn't go for a run in the midday sun but can fairly happily carry on with my day/work whatever the weather, whereas before I would be miserable and nights were awful. Now I sleep fine when it's hot.

At work this week, in an old Victorian building with no aircon, people have been complaining that it's intolerable and it's certainly warm but I haven't found it particularly uncomfortable, whereas I've always thought of myself as someone who doesn't like the heat.

Or maybe I've learned to cope better as I've got older, although as I'm perimenopause, that seems unlikely.

I’m not particularly fit and I am fine in this weather. I love it

Probably more a combination of factors I'd have thought. Fitness being one of them.

I'm still exercising in a warehouse with a plastic roof. It's hard going but I'm managing it as are most other people who attend classes regularly so I think you're right that it helps.

Is this a stealth Fat Shaming thread OP?

I run to work most mornings, go to classes at the gym a few times a week and am way fitter now than I ever was when I was young. Still hate this heat.

I’m fat. I often wonder this. Logically carrying stone less in a subcutaneous fat blanket would make me cooler I think.

I never mentioned fat Gofigure (you did that ). Even when I was unfit and suffered in the heat, I was never overweight, but as you mentioned it, it can't help.

Not everything is fat shaming ffs.
I agree
I am slimmer and fitter now than I was 20 years ago.
Everything is definitely easier now than it was. Saying that - I bailed on a 6 mile run last night. It was just so hot, I went for ice cream instead!

Might be totally off here but when I’m fitter I tend to be better hydrated - combo of more water and less junk food. I’m wondering if dehydration plays a part in how many people suffer so badly? Mention it because I’ve also suffered badly with the heat and also not so badly and it does seem to correlate to what I’m eating and drinking overall.

I'm fit (clue in my username) and I hate the heat. I'm a naturally hot person and will go around without a coat on when others are complaining that it's freezing, but when it's hot I melt.

So I don't think it's fitness related.

Not sure how fitness automatically = not fat

I expect it is something to do with controlling blood vessels - when you do cardio your body learns to control these as you get fitter so that you don't end up a red sweaty mess and the same body function probably controls them in the heat

Listen to me the expert

Having said that, the heat doesn't stop me exercising or going about my life. I just don't enjoy it.

There is evidence that fit people sweat sooner and more than unfit people.

That may control temperature better. But it's not great if you don't want to look sweaty.

Ehm, I do cardio 5-7 hours a week, and walk the dog daily for an hour, so am quite fit (and not fat) , have also lived in tropical countries for 10 years!

Yet, I am a grouchy sweaty mess

Fit. Hate the heat. Cant move too hot

I’m fit and really struggle in the heat.

I'm fit and healthy but don't do well in the heat.
The evenings with a breeze at the end of a hot day are glorious though.

I’d say I’m fairly fit, walk everywhere! But I only need to look at the sun and I get prickly heat but it doesn’t stop me going about my day. Just not a fan of intense sun.

I live in the tropics - it's hot most of the year and in the summer it often tops 40 degrees with 99% humidity . Some people love it , some hate it, some cope well, some don't. It doesn't seem to have any connection to how "fit" people are at all.

I’m fit and I love the heat. Can’t take the dogs out when I normally go but apart from that it’s fine.

Extremes don't help either do they. Like when you go on holiday after a few days your blood thins a bit and then you start to handle the heat better

I agree with Sariasun

I live in Spain and every year it gets to 38/40 degrees.

This is the first year I am coping properly, (been here 12 years) and it is because I am drinking 2 litres of water minimum a day. Also just eating very healthily, lots of fruit and vegetables.

Not fat at all, am skinny, OP didn't mention fat anyway So bored of this expression 'fat shaming'

I was crap in the heat as a kid who never stopped running around, I was crap in the heat when I was a size 10, I’m crap in the heat now I’m fat and unfit. Only difference is there are more wobbly bits I don’t want to bare now!

One of my kids really struggles too - the one without a picking of fat on her (the other is prone to carry a little more of a tummy).

I think it’s just one of those things and social media now highlights it as we get to complain on Fb whereas in the past we would just be indoors glued to a fan!

My DD is super fit by any criteria (strength, stamina, speed, resting heart rate etc) and she cannot bear the heat. I am menopausal, less fit, slightly overweight and do just fine.

Being thin makes it easier to cope in the heat, I find, having been both fat and thin.

I find being fitter does help for me. Being slimmer also helps too, I had one summer where I gained weight and had chafing thighs and that was the most miserable summer.