Have
you been jogging for 20 minutes? You are hot and sweaty. And you are
beginning to tire. What is the problem? The answer is that, you are
beginning to feel the effects of dehydration. Generally, the average
person is not 100% hydrated. Add exercise and a warm climate and it
spells dehydration in a big way. Do not depend on thirst as a signal to
avoid dehydration. Your body's drive to drink is not nearly as powerful
as its drive to eat and the thirst mechanism is even less powerful
during exercise. Therefore, you must plan to drink early and often.
Below are some of guidelines:
Before exercise: Drink 1-2 cups of fluid 2 hours before exercise to make sure you are well hydrated. Then drink another 1/2-1 cup immediately before exercise.
During exercise: Drink 1/2-1 cup every 15-20 minutes during exercise. Although this might seem tough at first, once you schedule it into your regular training routine, you will quickly adapt to having fluid in your stomach. In fact, the fuller your stomach is, the faster it will empty.
After exercise: Replace any fluid you have lost. Drink 2 cups of fluid for every pound of body weight you lose during exercise. In hot, humid weather, you need to drink more than usual. Don't forget that dehydration also occurs during cold weather exercise; your body temperature rises and you still lose water through perspiration and respiration.
Question:
What Should You Drink?
Should you just reach for the water bottle when you need to hydrate or are sports drinks better? The answer to this question depends on how much and how hard you exercise and how much you like water?
The ideal fluid replacement beverage should encourage fluid consumption and promote fluid absorption. If you exercise less than one hour, water should be fine. If you exercise longer than one hour, then fluid should also supply energy to your working muscles. In this case, drink about two-four cup/glass per hour of fluids with Carbohydrate concentrations of from 4-8%.
The average exerciser does not need to replace sodium or other electrolytes during exercise. Even well trained marathoners will reserve enough sodium to complete a competition. After heavy exercise, however, it is best to eat a meal that contains some sodium to replace what you may have lost. Follow your cravings; do not worry about restricting the sodium in your food immediately after running a marathon.
If you are participating in an ultra-endurance event that lasts four hours or more, you should consume a sports drink that contains sodium. 50-120 mg consumed during exercise should be sufficient.
If you are just an average exerciser, you might think sodium in drinks is just a waste. However, sodium may play a different role for you. Sodium helps your body absorb fluid and along with sugar, sodium may enhance a drink's taste, which can encourage you to drink more.
If you do not like water, sports drinks that taste good and contain less than 8% carbohydrate and some sodium might offer you a performance advantage. At the very least, if they encourage you to drink more, they will have done their job. But, it is always recommended to drink water rather than other drinks. And it is suggested to be aware of warning signs of dehydration and also suggested to consult doctor.
Dehydration Signs (both early signs & advanced signs):
- fatigue
- light headache
- appetite loss
- dark urine with a strong odour
- flushed skin
- heat intolerance
- difficulty swallowing
- sunken eyes and dim vision
- stumbling
- painful urination
- muscle spasms
Note: It is always suggested to consult doctor.
Before exercise: Drink 1-2 cups of fluid 2 hours before exercise to make sure you are well hydrated. Then drink another 1/2-1 cup immediately before exercise.
During exercise: Drink 1/2-1 cup every 15-20 minutes during exercise. Although this might seem tough at first, once you schedule it into your regular training routine, you will quickly adapt to having fluid in your stomach. In fact, the fuller your stomach is, the faster it will empty.
After exercise: Replace any fluid you have lost. Drink 2 cups of fluid for every pound of body weight you lose during exercise. In hot, humid weather, you need to drink more than usual. Don't forget that dehydration also occurs during cold weather exercise; your body temperature rises and you still lose water through perspiration and respiration.
Question:
What Should You Drink?
Should you just reach for the water bottle when you need to hydrate or are sports drinks better? The answer to this question depends on how much and how hard you exercise and how much you like water?
The ideal fluid replacement beverage should encourage fluid consumption and promote fluid absorption. If you exercise less than one hour, water should be fine. If you exercise longer than one hour, then fluid should also supply energy to your working muscles. In this case, drink about two-four cup/glass per hour of fluids with Carbohydrate concentrations of from 4-8%.
The average exerciser does not need to replace sodium or other electrolytes during exercise. Even well trained marathoners will reserve enough sodium to complete a competition. After heavy exercise, however, it is best to eat a meal that contains some sodium to replace what you may have lost. Follow your cravings; do not worry about restricting the sodium in your food immediately after running a marathon.
If you are participating in an ultra-endurance event that lasts four hours or more, you should consume a sports drink that contains sodium. 50-120 mg consumed during exercise should be sufficient.
If you are just an average exerciser, you might think sodium in drinks is just a waste. However, sodium may play a different role for you. Sodium helps your body absorb fluid and along with sugar, sodium may enhance a drink's taste, which can encourage you to drink more.
If you do not like water, sports drinks that taste good and contain less than 8% carbohydrate and some sodium might offer you a performance advantage. At the very least, if they encourage you to drink more, they will have done their job. But, it is always recommended to drink water rather than other drinks. And it is suggested to be aware of warning signs of dehydration and also suggested to consult doctor.
Dehydration Signs (both early signs & advanced signs):
- fatigue
- light headache
- appetite loss
- dark urine with a strong odour
- flushed skin
- heat intolerance
- difficulty swallowing
- sunken eyes and dim vision
- stumbling
- painful urination
- muscle spasms
Note: It is always suggested to consult doctor.