Hopefully your resolution of hitting the gym or working out more hasn’t worn off yet. And if that is the case it’s important to remember to keep hydrated. Dehydration can have a serious negative effect on the way the body functions. A major cause of muscle cramps is dehydration. It’s important to hydrate properly no matter the weather. Don’t forget to drink some water!
Hydration tips include:
Drink 14-22 oz of water two hours before you workout…this is like one and half water bottles
Drink 6-12 oz every 15-20 min. during activity ( about a half a water bottle)
Drink on a schedule rather than relying on thirst. Take a water bottle to work or school and drink throughout the day. See how many times you can drink the whole thing and fill it up again.
Check the volume and color and odor of your urine to test your hydration status. If your urine is a small volume, dark yellow color and has a strong odor you may be dehydrated.
If you don’t like the taste of water add a flavor packet to your water bottle or add cucumbers, lemon or strawberries. This will give your water some flavor and make it more enjoyable to drink.

2 Comments so far
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I have recently heard that any liquid counts at your water total, such as coffee, tea etc. is that correct?
By linda Vester: 02.04.10 at 10:23 am | Permalink
Yes any liquid can contribute towards your hydration not just water, some examples you gave were coffee and tea etc. So yes these contribute but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is one of your best bets because it’s calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.Hope that answers your question. Thanks for writing into the blog!
By Get Healthy Staff: 02.12.10 at 1:26 pm | Permalink
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