Thursday, May 3, 2012

Hydration Tips: Sweating & Sports Drinks

This is for all my fellow runners/ avid worker outers…..Coaches (and coaches wives- SHARE this with your hubby!)…Athletes…Fitness enthusiasts of all kinds….And moms with kiddos that play sports.
 
(Please consider buying a reusable BPA-FREE water bottle!! Or at least recycle the plastic ones…)
We all know that when we sweat and work out, it is extremely important to be well-hydrated in order to perform well and for overall health’s sake. It’s even more essential as the temperatures are rising and summer is upon us. Dehydration is no joke….it’s scary business!!! Here in Georgia, we have had SEVERAL football players pass away because of heat strokes and dehydration during summer workouts.
[It’s no secret…I’m a SWEATER!!!]
After our Miami Marathon, we saw a lady suffering from dehydration and it was awful…she was in bad shape (and I don’t mean her fitness condition).
Here’s the deal. When we sweat, we lose water, salt, and other nutrients. Water is a critical element of the body, and up to 75% of the body's weight is made up of water. However, we need more than just water.
When significant amounts of fluid are lost through high-intensity exercise, replacement with water alone can lead to a chemical imbalance in the body and deficiencies in electrolytes, which are nutrients critical for organ functioning. The electrolytes in our body include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and phosphate, but sodium is the substance of most concern when replacing fluids lost through exercising.
Gatorade & Powerade are two of the most popular sports drinks to rehydrate. The problem is, they are lacking lots of essential vitamins and nutrients, and are full of sugar and empty calories. Several of our middle school kids turn to Gatorade and Powerade as their drink of choice, even when they’re not sweating or exercising (hello extra calories and obesity). Although I do agree it’s a better option than soda, I do not believe they are the best option, and a lot of times, they are not used for their designed purpose. Even the “zero” options with no calories are filled with artificial sweeteners.
One of my very wise “friends” Lori, wrote this post about an alternative that can be made at home. (I’ve never met her, but I LOVE her blog and all of her words of wisdom…I definitely look up to her.) Very refreshing! Check it out HERE!!!



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Stay HYDRATED, friends!!!

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