Understanding Hydration And Exercise

Throughout the day I'm sure you notice the desire to drink water comes and goes, mainly it goes after you have appeased your thirst. But even after you have drank some water you eventually feel thirsty again (woe are the hardships of life).

Don't be too discouraged, eventually you will be used to the cyclic desires of thirst that come and go at varying intervals depending on heat and humidity. The reason we get such desires is because water is essential; in fact, it is the most essential substance after oxygen.

Not drinking water for a week is like trying not to breath for five minutes. Doing either of these can result in some pretty messy conditions, and maybe the consequences could even be fatal.

That is how important water is, thirst and dry mouth is the first warning we get when our body needs water. After we that comes light headedness, then weakness, disorientation, perhaps some slight behavioral changes, and then death.

However, if you have severe symptoms such as the aforementioned ailments above, you are liable to have some slight behavioral alterations. That shouldn't really be coming as too much of a surprise.

Yes water is the most important substance in all of life, but even more important for athletes. Not because they are more important (not saying they aren't) just they use more water than normal non-athletic people.

So if you are an athlete and you are mad at life for demanding that you consume more water than the regular Joe, you need to understand that it only makes sense. You see when you exert your body to such extremes, like running, weight lifting, or even swimming fast you heat your body from the inside out (like a microwave, but without any electric magnetic waves)

So when you are exerting yourself and heating up the insides, you start to perspire which is your body's natural defense. Good idea body, I am hot so release all of my vital liquids.

If we were pigs we wouldn't have to worry about sweating. But then again, if we were pigs we would have to worry about things like slaughter and being eaten.

So it vitally important that you get a health amount of water at least two hours before any extreme workouts. And afterward it is necessary to replenish such losses.

Drinks like Gatorade and propel are great for hydration during the actual exercise, if you are going to be exercising for more than an hour. But they are really not that good for you, if you are just drinking willy-nilly.

Most drinks are not good for you, just stick with water you will be alright. Check your urine to see if you are dehydrated.

If it is yellow and sparse, then you may need to drink more water. If it is heavily diluted and clear, well you are probably doing alright.

Destry Masterson is a health and fitness expert who has written many articles about exercise and recommends http://www.treadmillcomparison.com/treadmill-coupons for treadmill coupons. Contact Info: Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson