Happy Summer Fit and Fabulous Floridians! Summer is HOT and hydration is crucial. As humans, our bodies are made up of between 50-70 percent water. Let’s sip on that for a moment. What does that water we drink do for the body? Water has many important functions in our bodies, from regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, clearing waste, preventing infections, delivering nutrients to cells, to improving sleep quality, brain function, and mood, just to name a few.
Take a big gulp because statistics show that more than half of American adults do not drink enough water! What is enough water? This is a tricky question. Research has shown that the amount of water needed is based on a number of factors such as age, sex, activity level, and the climate in which you live. However, don’t drown in those details - a good rule of thumb is to aim for 64 oz. a day or eight, eight oz. glasses of water. That can seem daunting at first, but here are a couple of ideas to make sure you are well hydrated:
* Carry a water bottle with you and sip throughout the day.
* Eat fruits and vegetables with a high water content (those count toward your total for the day), such as watermelon, strawberries, oranges, grapefruits, cucumbers, lettuce, celery, and tomatoes.
* If you feel thirsty, drink some water.
* Start a “drink water challenge” either with yourself or friends.
* Set a timer to remind yourself to hydrate.
If you have a hard time drinking regular water, you can infuse your water with fruits and vegetables to add a little flavor, or drink sparkling water if that’s what you like. Even adding a hydration packet to your water, if you are an active adult, is a thought. What you do not want to do is reach for those sugary drinks like sodas, juices and waters that have added sugars. This is counter-productive to healthy hydration.
Now that we understand the benefits of hydration and have some tools to help us get the H2O we need let's dive into what can happen if we aren’t drinking enough water on a consistent basis and some signs that indicate we need to up that fluid content.
Mild dehydration can cause you to feel confused, dizzy, and tired. These symptoms can quickly be reversed by hydrating. However, when you are consistently low on water, there can be very serious health issues such as kidney failure, seizures, poor mental function, low blood pressure, and even death.
Let’s put on our goggles and take a look at some signs of dehydration so we know when to grab that water bottle and sip up:
* Feeling Tired
* Dry skin and lips
CAT Burke is the owner of GETCATFIT Marco Island Fitness Bootcamp. She has over 20 years’ experience as a fitness professional, holds a BS in Kinesiology, is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor and Fitness Nutrition Specialist. CAT is also active in the natural bodybuilding industry as a professional athlete and judge. CAT may be reached at info@getcatfit.com. Website: www.getcatfit.com.
**CAT Burke is not a physician or registered dietitian. The contents of this article should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health. *
