Water and Exercise: Stay Hydrated!

Water and Exercise: Stay Hydrated!

Our bodies are made up of over 75% water. We all know that without water, there is no life. In fact we can only live 3 days without it. However, water has been replaced in most diets by soft drinks and other sugar sweetened refreshments. However, water is a healthier and more necessary drink that leads to better health and longetivity.
Your personal need for water can vary due to exercise, temperature and weight. Studies have shown that over 2/3’s of adults do not get enough water on a daily basis. By simply drinking water regularly you can replenish your body and keep it well-hydrated and functioning at maximum efficiency.
Most of us wait until we are thirsty to drink water. However, this is not a reliable gauge of the water needs that our body has. By the time we are thirsty we have already lost two or more cups of our body’s composition of water. Therefore drinking water regularly is a much better answer than waiting until one is thirsty.
It is also very important to not substitute beverages with alcohol and caffeine for water. The reason for this is that these beverages act as a diuretic and cause you to lose more water through increased urination. You think you are getting water through these beverages but the fact is they are causing you to let it go almost as quickly as it accumulates.
When you work out you need more water. This makes elementary sense. Our bodies lose a great deal of water due to perspiration. In fact we need to drink 2 cups of water for each pound lost through working out. Even when we sleep our bodies lose water. Drinking a glass of water before we go to sleep and when we wake up helps to offset this loss and keep our bodies functioning optimally.
It should be obvious that when we are sick our bodies need more water than at other times. When we have a cold or flu our bodies can become dehydrated. You can prevent this by drinking more water at times you are sick.
There are numerous opinions on whether purified water actually provides a tangible benefit. It is a subject you should explore yourself in determining the type of water that is appropriate for you. The same applies to exactly how much is enough? Below you will find some articles dealing with this subject. The best way to find out what you need is to simply set a goal to drink a certain number of glasses and then after a week or two see how it has effected you.
Make it a habit to drink water daily. Keep a bottle with you at all times and drink it throughout the day. Learn to drink water rather than other beverages that do not replenish your body’s nutrients. Drink water daily and watch yourself become healthier and happier.

Drinking Water and Exercise

Drinking Water and Exercise

With all of the energy drinks on the market, it is very tempting to take one along when you workout. Just cool, clear water, though, is by far the better choice. When you exercise it is of extreme importance that you stay hydrated. In fact, it is important to be hydrated before you begin exercise. There are many negative side effects to dehydration, and you cannot maintain a healthy lifestyle while dehydrated!

Many people worry that drinking water before exercise will cause you to have to break your routine by having to stop in the middle of their workout to go to the bathroom. A good way to avoid that inconvenience is to drink 16 ounces of water at least an hour before you workout and then to take some water along to stay hydrated during your workout. As you exercise, even during cold weather, you lose water mainly through sweating.

After your workout, it is important to keep your muscles hydrated. Water helps your muscles recover after a workout. For low to moderate intensity exercise lasting for 45 minutes to an hour, water is the best choice because it is easily absorbed by the body, it is readily available and cheap or free and it doesn't have any sugar, unnecessary ingredients or calories.

It is important to remain hydrated, however, you should also be careful not to over-hydrate. Symptoms of water intoxication include dizziness, nausea and confusion. Water intoxication is rare, but certainly something to be aware of.

Drinking eight to ten cups of water each and every day is an important part of a nutritious diet and fitness program. It provides numerous health benefits, such as keeping your organs functioning properly, maintaining a "full" feeling in your stomach, and also keeping your skin hydrated from the inside.