One of the biggest dilemmas that we see with the population is the lack of water consumption. Many people wonder why they feel tired all of the time, have dry skin, lack energy, and are overweight, it could simply be from not being properly hydrated. There are a lot of drinks out there that claim to be the greatest hydration drink, but at the end of the day, water is going to be the best and most effective source of hydration.
Drinking the right amount of water and keeping your body hydrated is the most important thing that you need to do. Keeping your body hydrated will help reduce the risk of injury and aid in the recovery from workouts and competition, and even life.
Your body is 60% water; therefore, it is important to keep hydrated. There is not a single organism that can survive without it. Like legendary Strength Coach Charles Poilquin says, “Hydration is the greatest determinant of strength. A 1.5% drop in water levels, translates to a drop of 10% of your maximal strength.”
Simply put, the best offense is the best defense. Here is a guideline for the amount of water you should be drinking and when you should be consuming it:
- Your bodyweight in pounds (lbs.) x 0.5-1.0 = the amount of ounces of water that you should drink in a day
Example: 150 lbs. x 1.0 = 150 ounces of water per day
- About 2 hours prior to working out drink 15-20 ounces of water
- 15-30 minutes before workout, drink 10-16 ounces of water
Try to drink approximately 16 ounces of water every hour rather than trying to drink mass amounts at one time.
The other thing we suggest our clients do: drink a glass of water (approximately 16 ounces) first thing when they wake up, even before you drink your coffee.
If you want to feel better, lose weight, and be able to push through your workouts and work days, start drinking water.