Put More ‘Oil’ in Your Fat Burning Engine
WATER WATER WATER
How many of us can say we drink enough water EVERY day? How many of us even know how much water is enough?
For the average inactive person, the RDA recommends 96oz (3 quarts) of water per day. If you are classified as “overweight” for your age/sex you’ll need to drink an additional 8oz of water/10lbs overweight. If you workout regularly, your water intake again increases. The generic rule is:
16 oz of water 2 hrs before exercise and
20–40 oz of water following 1 hr of exercise.
That’s a lot of water. Here are 10 benefits of being properly hydrated:
1. Endocrine gland function improves-Regulating body temperature becomes easier and the body works functionally.
2. Fluid retention is alleviated-Our bodies will not hold on to water we intake because it is regularly receiving the proper amount of water it needs to function.
3. Liver function improves-This is especially important to those of us that have spent many college nights in beer-pong tourneys.
4. Natural thirst regulation returns-Thirst felt in the mouth is the last line of defense for the body to signal us to drink,
5. Appetite decreases significantly-When our body craves building blocks, it responds often times with the feeling of hunger even if what it needs is a fluid not a solid. Drinking water helps us feel less hungry.
6. Nutrients distributed efficiently-Think of water as the river that the nutrients travel on to their destinations throughout the body.
7. Body temp regulation improves-It’s easier to cool off when heated up and warm up when cold.
8. Blood volume is maintained-It makes sense: more water, more blood. This is particularly important for blood pressure regulation.
9. Brain function Increases-Water is where the electrical impulses travel throughout the central nervous system.
10. Increases the percentage of fat used for energy-Makes it easier for the body to break down the heavy triglycerides.
So, keep that reusable water bottle you received at your company’s last team building meeting on your desk and full of water!
Enjoy Your Exercise. Enjoy Your Day.
