As the weather warms up, here are a few things to think about as we start to get outside more and more.

– Talk to your doctor.

That’s short for “stop being stubborn, and go get that physical that you’re supposed to have annually!”

– Don’t be crazy!

Many of us have gone the bear route and hibernated this winter. Maybe we worked out once a week or once every other week.

At any rate, we haven’t done as much as we could have or probably should have. And now that spring is here, we feel ready to attack the fitness regimen again.

Fitness isn’t like a cold pool. We can’t just jump into it and get used to it in a few seconds.

Let’s use our common sense. We know that one thing helps build us to the next thing.

So, go on, and do yo’ thang – just take your time building up to it.

– Take an extra layer or two.

I know we’re told to dress in layers during the winter. Then we’re able to take off a layer or two, depending on how cold it is and how our body reacts to the weather.

Well, the same holds true for spring weather, but often in reverse. It has been so cold so much lately that when we get a day that appears warm, we toss the sweat shirt or light jacket.

Then, 20 minutes into our run or exercise program, we realize it’s cooler than we thought. Having that extra clothing will help, especially if the wind suddenly kicks up and starts blowing against us.

– Go to the shoe store.

Many of us tend to neglect our feet throughout the winter, meaning we’ll wear the same athletic shoes for five or six months.

It’s time to address our support system again.

And don’t forget to go to a runners’ shoe store to do it. Folks at the runners’ stores know our gaits better than we do, and they can help us find shoes not just to fit our feet, but to fit how we’re going to use the shoes.

– Set that goal.

This fitness thing is easier to do if there’s a tangible reward to reach for.

Whether it’s the beach body or finishing 100 miles of Elephant Rock, reach for something.

– Two parts hydrogen – one part oxygen.

We shouldn’t have to be told this, but here it is anyway:

Drink more water!

We’re going to lose water through sweating. Let’s make sure we put it back and stay as hydrated as we can.

Bryant has two National Strength and Conditioning Association certifications. Contact him at milo.bryant@gazettedev.gazette.com or read his blog at milobryant.blogspot.com. He appears on KOAA’s Comcast Channel 9 most Wednesdays at 4 p.m.

Barbara Swaby sorted through bins of books in her basement as part of her LOGO (literacy on the go) project. She started giving away books to area schoolchildren after Hurricane Katrina and so far has given out about 2,500. Photo by (CAROL LAWRENCE, THE GAZETTE)