As the weather heats up, staying hydrated becomes even more of a priority. Here are the facts about water:
You are made up primarily of water. When properly hydrated, about two-thirds of your body is water. Muscle tissue is even higher, at around 70 percent. When you don't have enough water, your performance declines in a state we call dehydration. Get too dehydrated and your body will no longer function.
It’s not all about water. Water reacts with chemicals in your body in order to perform. We lose water in the form of sweat and sweat is made up of water and body "salts," which are mainly sodium, chloride, and potassium. These are called electrolytes. Either too much or too little is dangerous. Like water, the amount you consume should be directly related to your body’s workload. More exercise equals more sweat, meaning that you need more water and more salt.
Water and exercise. A well-hydrated body has higher levels of oxygen in the bloodstream, translating into an increased ability to burn fat as fuel. The more efficiently you burn fat as fuel, the more effectively you exercise, leading to a better overall body composition. Keep your body exercising effectively by hydrating before, during and after bouts of exertion, particularly in the hot summer months.
How much water? We’ve all heard that you need about eight glasses of water a day. But this will vary according to activity level and environmental conditions. As a general rule, add a couple of glasses during the hot days of summer and the dry, cold nights of winter. During exercise, you may lose a significant amount. So adjust your intake according to your activity level.
So with summer heat just around the corner - work hard, sweat, and drink up!
Denise Rejent-Lee
BRICKS Kickboxing
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