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Water and Exercise: Stay
Hydrated!
by: Ray
Kelly
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 2/3s 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 bodys 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 bodys
nutrients. Drink water daily and watch yourself become healthier and
happier.
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