Do You Have A Workout Hydration Plan?
Three reasons we should hydrate for a workout…
You hear it all the time. — hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. What’s so important about drinking water when you’re working out? You’ve got to have those electrolytes fluids contain to keep your body functioning properly.
Electrolytes are minerals that carry electric charges that are found in your body fluids, including your blood. They play a very important role in your health: The amount of water your body has, your blood’s acidity (PH) and the way your muscles function.
Common electrolytes are calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and sodium. Electrolytes come in different forms – acids, bases and salts.
A blood test can tell you how much is present in your blood, as does a basic metabolic panel and urine tests.
You lose electrolytes when you work out because you sweat. So, it’s important that you replace them. The best way to do that is to hydrate. You need to do it before your workout, during your workout and after it. It will make a significant difference in athletic performance and health.
Try these tips to protect yourself:
Before you hit the pavement for a run or the gym for spin class, drink plenty of fluids. If you’re set to run a race, drink extra water the day before. Fruit juice, 100 percent, and things like 1 percent milk are good, too.
The morning of the event, drink two cups of water or sports drink. Thirty minutes before, drink another five to 10 ounces of fluid.
During your workout, sip 24 ounces of water or other fluid, about six ounces, every 15 minutes. This keeps you going strong from the starting line to the finish.
Post-workout hydration is important, too. You need to replace the body fluid you lost during the exertion.
Quench that inevitable thirst with more water or sports drink … then drink some more.
Replace those electrolytes! Your body will appreciate the effort.
