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I used to look forward to the days I run- Monday, Wednesday and Saturday- because I could sleep in until 7 a.m. (Tuesday and Thursday I wake up at 5 a.m. to take a spinning class. I know it’s crazy, but I love it!)

However, I have been waking up earlier and earlier in an attempt to beat the heat. I started out hitting the road at 7:30, then 7:00, then 6:30. As summer kicks into high gear, I notice there isn’t that much of a difference between my 6:30 and 7:30 run. It’s just plain hot no matter how early I get up.

I have nothing against sweating. In fact, I love it. I often measure how good a workout I have based on how much I sweat, but there are limits.

I got back from a 3-mile run today and looked like I had spent the morning swimming. I was drenched. I kept a steady pace with an 81/2-minute mile, but felt like I was pushing through a dense fog. My legs were heavy. My shirt was so wet that it did no good to use it to wipe the sweat off my face.

I usually love starting my day exercising outdoors, but I’m starting to think it may be getting too hot. Moving my runs to a treadmill indoors is an option I’m considering.

However, there are several reasons why I won’t give up my outdoor runs just yet:

1. I would miss the ease of rolling out of bed and being outside stretching in less than 5 minutes.

2. I would miss listening to U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ as my first song and thinking, “It is a beautiful day.” (This works better on a cool spring day when jasmine are blooming and birds are chirping -but sometimes I can get this thought in before the wall of heat smacks me in the face)

3. I would miss the comfort of my “usual” route, mixed in with the unknown: Will a train slow me down today? Will that crazy squirrel run in front of me AGAIN? Will my timing be in sync with the traffic lights?

And, most importantly:

4. Going to a air-conditioned gym to use a treadmill would add drive time to my morning exercise routine, which means having to get up even earlier.

If you are like me and refuse to give up your morning runs, click here for tips for staying safe in the heat.

The beach is the perfect home for sandcastles, water fun and E.Coli. As sunbathers do what they do best, bacteria does the same. However, beachgoers can easily avoid snacks that tempt spoilage. Dietitian and nutritionist, Elisa Zied, author of Nutrition at Your Fingertips offers five easily portable, sun-proof, diet-friendly foods to throw in the beach bag this coming beach season:

1. FRESH FRUITS: Washed thoroughly and packed so as not to get smashed, fresh fruits provide valuable nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. Zied suggests the most portable fruits include: oranges, apples, and bananas or liven it up with grapefruit slices, clementines, seedless grapes or strawberries.

2. NUTS: Crunchy and delicious, nuts provide omega-3 fatty acids that are heart healthy and are also rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Bring a baggie with a two tablespoon portion of almonds, cashews or walnuts.

3. DRIED FRUIT: Look for no sugar added when picking out dried fruits and limit portion to two tablespoons. Although not as fiber-rich as fruit, dried fruit is nonperishable and great to mix with crunchy high fiber cereal like low fat granola or nuts (choose the kind you like, but stick to two tablespoons).

4. VEGGIES: Options like edamame, celery, carrot, pepper strips are durable in packed beach bags. They also provide much needed nutrients while in the heat such as vitamin C, potassium, and Iron.

5. GRAINS: Whole grain crackers are great treats with lots of crunch and flavor. Pack natural peanut butter or almond butter and no-sugar jelly to put on crackers or whole grain bread. The protein and whole grains are nonperishable and will keep beach goers sated.

<<NOTE: All fruits and vegetables should be washed prior to use. When possible, items should be packed on ice to keep food safe and bacteria at bay.>>

Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., is a leading national nutrition expert. She makes nutrition accessible and practical, and shows people how to improve their food and fitness habits in a fun, easy, and non-threatening way. Visit her websites at: http://elisazied.com/ and http://nutritionatyourfingertips.com/.