This article will show you the three laws of hydration to keep your physical and mental performance at their peak. This is because maintaining body fluid balance is of paramount importance.
Being adequately hydrated is vital for one's well-being and also to get the most out of your workout regimen. So to avoid fluid loss and genuinely benefit from your workout, here are 3 rules regarding the importance of hydration during exercise.
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1. Hydration 360 - Before, During, and After Your Workout
As a general rule of thumb, it is best to drink water before you start exercising: two glasses of water two hours before the activity. While working out your body avails yourself of body fluids to keep your body temperature down. To recharge yourself, you should guarantee that you keep at hand a bottle of water.
It is of prime importance also to drink water during your exercise, since your body will be sweating while you are engaging in exercise activities. You will have to keep your muscles well-hydrated to minimize the effects of muscle cramps.
Drink water again after you have completed your workout, this cannot be stressed enough.
2. Never Overdrink
Although the importance of drinking water during your workout regimen cannot be overstated, one should still drink within one’s limits.
Yes, it’s possible to overdo here. If you overdrink water regardless of whether you are exercising or not, you may become susceptible to water intoxication or hyponatremia. This can lead to a flooding of the insides of your cells due to abnormally low levels of sodium in your bloodstream. It can lead to bloating and discoloration in your lips, hand, and feet; and in severe cases, debilitating health problems such as seizures, coma, and even death.
3. Say No To Carbonated Drinks
The fundamental motivation behind why you ought to steer clear of carbonated beverages is that individuals will in general quit drinking after a couple of swallows. Thus, they burn through less fluid than they would have if the beverage was not carbonated. Another explanation is that the sugar in carbonated beverages gets retained all the more gradually and can even trigger stomach discomfort.
Sports drinks are a decent substitute for carbonated drinks since they are contrived with an ideal blend of sodium, carbs, and water. The loss of electrolytes through sweat can severely compromise the physical performance and mental acuity. These can be countered by sports drinks, which help maintain blood sugar levels during exercise. It can further prevent fatigue since muscle glycogen is preserved, and this ensures that you aren’t tapping into your reserves.
What is cool is that you can make your very own inexpensive sports drink, simply by diluting fruit juice in water.
Final Thought
The next time you are going to hit the gym or do any other strenuous workout activity, ensure that you have a bottle of water with you at all times. The importance of hydration during your workout regimen cannot be stressed enough. Not only will it keep the effects of dehydration at bay, but it will also ensure that your physical performance and mental acuity remain at their peak.
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