Hydration is key to fitness

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June 24, 2012

Hydration is key to fitness

BY LIZ JONES Herald-Banner Staff The Zope Gazette Sun Jun 24, 2012, 12:41 PM CDT

ROCKWALL — Even if you don’t train hard in the gym, hydration is an important part of your health. This weekend temperatures will be reaching the hundreds in Texas and we will all be reaching for cool beverages, but it is important to be mindful of the amount of water you consume, especially if you are exercising in the heat. Water is an essential part of life and vital factor in your overall health and fitness program.

Taking sips of water about every 20 minutes (or when you feel thirsty), is a good rule to follow during your training session.

Water with electrolytes is a good addition if you are running hard or training heavy to help replace some of the valuable sodium and potassium in your body.

I drink about a gallon of water, about 1/3 of which I consume before I leave the house in the morning, plus drink green tea all day long. How much water each person needs will vary. I recommend drinking distilled water whenever you are able.

There is a handy “hydration calculator” I found online:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/tools/hydration

Drinking enough water:

Flushes fat

Keeps skin moist

Prevents cramping

Helps with recovery

Regulates body temperature

Help organs function

Aids in digestion

And be careful adjusting your body to the hotter weather. If you have not already been training outside, make sure to gradually get used to the temperature change while working out.

(Note: *Too much water can cause a condition called hyponatremia AKA: “water intoxication” which means that your sodium levels are too low. That’s why it’s crucial for athletes to strike the proper balance when it comes to hydration.)

Liz Jones is the Membership & Wellness Director at Rockwall Family YMCA, located at 1210 N Goliad in Rockwall, TX.

She can be reached at: ejones@ymcadallas.org or 972-772-9622.

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