It’s supposed to be cooling.
It’s supposed to be refreshing.
In fact, water has so frequently been almost made attractive to us aesthetically. The gorgeous, ripped guy stepping off a treadmill. He pops off the top of his water bottle, winks to the camera and swallows it down in two easy gulps.
So yep, water is meant to be able to do anything and solve anything. Got a headache? Drink more water. Not sleeping well? Drink more water. Want to settle peace in the Middle East? Drink more water (probably).
Except water is not the most inspiring of beverages, is it? Its entire point is that it doesn’t taste of anything. In fact, if your water does taste of something you didn’t intentionally put there, stop drinking the water.
When you’re working out, particularly doing activities involving cardio, then staying hydrated is essential. While we attribute water with the ability to fix more than it can do in some areas, it is important for exercise. The reason for this is biological: when you sweat (as you will be with any good workout), you lose fluids. You should then replace those fluids so as not to stress your body, and particularly your kidneys.
So is there any way to get the hydration you need without being stuck with a basic, boring combination of hydrogen and oxygen? Of course there is.
#1 – Pack Your Diet With Vegetables With A High Water Content
Image From: PixaBay
If you can’t stand actually drinking the stuff much, then going for a high water vegetable is the next best thing. Celery tops the charts on this one, though cucumber and carrots do pretty well also. Consume these within an hour of a workout, and you’ll get a boost.
If you’re not a big fan of the vegetables themselves (aren’t you picky?), then you have two options. You can use a juicer; though these are not quite as good as eating the whole vegetable. Or go for a blender to help pack your new ideas into a one-gulp beverage.
#2 – Don’t Deplete Fluids Unnecessarily
Image From: PixaBay
Upping your fluid intake and reducing your fluid loss are two sides of the same coin. On days when you’re going to be exercising hard, try and avoid the two major causes of dehydration in modern life: coffee and alcohol. If you can’t live without them, then at least try and chase them down with a bottle of water afterward to make up for what you have lost.
The same goes for sugar. You’ll often find huge, terrifying amounts of sugar in sports drinks, which is odd as it will just make you thirstier. These are great for an energy boost, but steer clear of them if you’re trying to replace fluids after a long gym session.
#3 – Coconut Water
Photo From: PixaBay
The claim that it is more hydrating than basic water is a bit far-fetched, but you can still get plenty of fluids from coconut water. It tastes a lot better than the simple stuff and has a few other health benefits for you to enjoy too.
