Melvin Ingram Working to “Beat the Heat”

It’s the time of the year when every NFL fan is counting down the days to kickoff.

It’s the time of the year when every NFL team is preparing for the upcoming season.

It’s the time of the year when every NFL player is practicing in the unforgiving summer heat.

On Monday the San Diego Chargers began their first day of camp and fortunately for them they enjoy  the luxury of practicing in a “perfect climate.”  Even though San Diego is paradise compared to many other cities, it is still smart to exercise proper ways to “Beat the Heat.”

Chargers’ 2012 first round draft pick, Melvin Ingram, has recently partnered with Gatorade in their seventh annual “Beat the Heat” campaign. Practicing in the hot summer months is dangerous for anyone, especially athletes who are intensely training and competing. Alongside Gatorade, Ingram has made it his personal mission to help educate athletes of all ages about sports fueling and hydration to prevent heat-related illnesses.

“It is a real good program in my eyes,” said Ingram about “Beat the Heat” and the message it’s promoting. Not many people are aware of the risks, and even Ingram admitted that he previously did not have the knowledge that he has today about this problem. And since becoming aware of ways to “Beat the Heat,” he is taking extra measures to school his peers and even his teammates. Ingram constantly reminds his teammates “a lot in the locker room” to eat the right foods and keep themselves hydrated in order to perform their best.

He is taking everything he has learned from Gatorade and even applying it to his own regimen. It’s all about giving your body the right nutrients and electrolytes to keep it in “tip top notch shape,” as Ingram described. He commented that one cannot put the wrong things in their body and expect to perform well and stay safe in the heat. The Gatorade Sports Science Institute conducted research that proved dehydration and improper sports fueling routines increases the risk for heat illness. Ingram personally makes a point to drink a lot of Gatorade and consume electrolytes in order to prevent succumbing to the heat.

It is not hard to notice that Ingram is constantly grateful for the chance to live out his NFL career dream especially when he describes it as “a blessing.” “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to be a San Diego Charger. Words can’t even explain,” said Ingram. In order to be the best athlete he can be, it is even more important to apply his knowledge from this campaign. Ingram is just beginning his NFL career and it is key that he stay healthy because, “you never know when it’s going to be taken away from you.” Rest assured that he is working hard to prevent any heat-related illnesses while he  continues to prepare for the season.

There are multiple measures that one can take to lower their chances of becoming a victim to the heat: eat healthy, consume liquids containing electrolytes, etc. The Gatorade Company partners with the NFL, NBA and MLS to educate everyone about the importance of preventing heat illnesses.

In these hot summer months, remember your new super Charger Melvin Ingram and his encouragement to properly fuel your body and “Beat the Heat.”