With the weather heating up it is more important than ever to keep on top of your hydration.
Here are some things to think about when planning your training this summer;
* Drinking fluids is essential to staying alive - duh. The human body is compromised mostly of water.
* Hydration starts well before you train or compete in an event. Drink as soon as you wake in the morning. Continue to sip during your training or event. Remember to hydrate after to replenish body fluids and flush out metabolic waste.
* Sweat keeps you from overheating during exercise and in hot environments.
* Measure your water losses - weight yourself (naked) before exercise, perform a 1 hour intense workout with no fluid intake, the change in body weight reflects fluid loss. 500grams = 2 cups of fluid lost.
* Aim for your pee to be light yellow. Clear pee is showing you are diluting your body's sodium levels with too much water. Dark yellow you are not hydrated enough.
* Dehydration can hinder athletic performance.
* Headaches and cramping a common signs of severe dehydration.
* Add a Nuun tablet or sports drink to your water to add electrolytes and salts to help avoid depleting your sodium levels during prolonged exercise. Electrolytes help regulate nerve and muscle functions.
* Sodium containing liquids help retain the fluids consumed. When electrolytes and water are consumed together they stay together causing the body to retain the fluids you have just consumed.
Keep safe and stay hydrated!
