Not just because I am a runner I know the importance of staying hydrated, and not only before every race but all the time.
I do not wait until I’m thirsty to drink water, if you do, you are already dehydrated. Everyone’s body is different, so the best way to stay hydrated is to simply listen to your body, listen to your thirst. And being busy it is not a valid excuse these days to not drink water or stay hydrated.
My mom is a Gastroenterologist and she taught me the 8 x 8 rule when I was little. Eight glasses of water of eight ounces a day. I always followed that rule because it was easy to remember, but it is not totally accurate. Sorry Mom! It was definitely a guideline for years. And like I mentioned before the amount of water for each person is very individual, so we just have to listen to our body, listen to what our body needs.
We always hear about the benefits of drinking water for the skin, to boost your immune system, but it is more than that, our bodies need water for millions of functions, it does not mean that drinking water will prevent you from diseases, but getting enough can help you feel your best on a day-to-day basis.
It increases energy, relieves fatigue. Promotes weight loss by removing fat of products of fat and also reduces hunger (hello natural appetite suppressant!). Flushes out toxins and gets rid of waste through sweat and urination. Prevents cramps and sprains, runners did you read that? Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so as a result joint pain is less likely. Water is essential to digest the food we eat and it can also prevents from constipation, even though you feel like a balloon after drink a glass, but it will pass.
Water has always been my drink of choice, and green tea of course ha! It just makes me feel good, and it is so easy, so free and yet so easily overlooked. It is really a no brainer (actually your brain is pretty much 90% water so). Our body is about 70% water, the majority of our blood and every cell in our body is composed of water, therefore, we NEED water to function properly.
I have to warn you, chugging water will definitely lead to a lot of bathroom breaks, and yes sometimes it feels I spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else! But even that is a good thing, because sitting all day at work is not good, so drink water and walk to the bathroom, you hydrate and exercise at the same time. You can also check your hydration status just by looking at your pee, light lemonade color or clear means you are OK. Quit tip: I don’t drink much water after 8PM, I don’t like to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. You’re welcome!
And for those who do not drink much water, you can give it a little twist, you can add some lemon, you can cut some fruits and give it a different flavor, here are some of the ones I use to make drinking water more exciting: strawberries, pineapples, blueberries, watermelon, and oranges, I use some cucumbers, mint, fresh ginger root, rosemary etc. and coconut water is good too…. And for me coconut water is straight up delicious.
Did you know these facts? Cucumbers: 96% water, celery: 95% water, radishes: 95% water, green peppers: 94% water, do you know what that means? Apparently you can eat your water too!
Cheers to hydration… Have a great weekend !
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