Saturday, May 16, 2009

It Helps to be Water Smart

Some days you’re set on working on that jelly-belly, giving it everything you’ve got, but you feel fatigued after 15 minutes of working out and your muscles keep cramping. Before giving up, consider that you may just be dehydrated.

It has been proven that when a person is hydrated, they will have a much more productive workout and much better energy level. So, ensuring that you are well-hydrated is an important component of a healthy workout. Many gulp down a 32 oz Gatorade after a heavy workout, but it’s much better to drink continually while exercising, and often water is a better choice.

We often think that we need the ever present sports drinks, while the reality is water is what we need the most. There are no calories or sugar and since most of us are trying to lose weight, we don’t need extra calories or sugar.

For those who tend to sweat a lot during exercise, a sports drink may help replace electrolytes. But the average person doesn’t sweat profusely unless working outside in the heat or playing an intense sport.

Generally, the normal 64 oz bottle is good for most people. The recommendation is that you drink before your workout and at 20-minute intervals throughout. Your diet should also be taken into account: If you eat a lot of fruits and soups, you may not require as much water. If you have a high protein diet you should drink more. If you drink a lot of caffeine and alcohol, it will pull water out of your system, so you need to drink more to replenish.

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