Simple Ways To Drink More Water

We’re moving into summer and for most people, it can mean fun in the sun, hiking, swimming, and enjoying the warm weather with family and friends. Summer can also bring more potential for dehydration if you’re an active outdoors person or don’t have access to air conditioning. It’s important to drink more water year around to stay hydrated, especially in the summer. Here are some simple ideas to help you.

How does dehydration affect your body?

Think about it. Your body is about 60% water, depending on your age, sex, and hydration levels. Older people have a lower percentage of water, and babies have the most. Men have a higher percentage of water to bodyweight than women do, since men tend to have more muscle mass than fat, and fat contains very little water. Even mild dehydration can create problems ranging from exhaustion to mental confusion and death. Excess perspiration, like during a workout, intensifies the need to rehydrate frequently.

Keep it simple and carry water with you.

Whether you use a refillable container or purchase bottled water, carrying a bottle with you continuously is a good way to stay hydrated. If you’re working out, sip on the water frequently during your workout, but don’t guzzle it. For other times, if you tend to forget to drink, set a timer on your phone to remind you to take a sip or two. It won’t take long to adjust to frequent sips of water and consume the amount you need daily.

If you hate plain water, and some people do, opt for infused water.

Make drinking water more enjoyable by infusing it with flavor. Choose the herb, vegetable, or fruit flavor you want, wash it, and put it in a container with cold or room-temperature water. Soft produce, like strawberries should have thicker slices, and harder ones, like apples, should be sliced thinner. You’ll have to crush or tear herbs to get the flavor infused. Let the water sit at room temperature for up to two hours, then put it into the refrigerator to allow the flavors to infuse. Infused water has a lightly flavored taste but without extra calories or sweeteners. It can make drinking water a treat.

• Drink a glass of water before you eat and a glass with your meal. Drinking water before a meal makes you feel fuller and eat less.
• Be more aware of the water content in the food you eat. You don’t have to drink water; you can eat it. Celery is 95% water, while watermelon is 91%. Consuming those with a meal increases water intake.
• First thing in the morning, drink a glass of water. You’ve gone without water through the night and are probably dehydrated, particularly if you breathe through your mouth or snore. The water will set off a chain reaction to get you to peak performance in the morning.
• Switch out soft drinks for water. It will cut down your restaurant and grocery bills, plus help you lose weight and live healthier. Diet soft drinks can cause changes to your body that increase fat around the middle.

For more information, contact us today at Prime Fitness Studio