Water, water everywhere…so why aren’t you drinking more?
We know that we need water to stay on our A game. But how much of the clear stuff do you need every day? And how does topping up our water levels keep our bodies performing at their best?
Increasing your water intake is something most of us can do easily and cheaply to instantly improve our health and fitness. But many of us are still turning to sugary drinks and caffeine instead. Why?! Today I want to show you that, when it comes to health and fitness, water is your best friend. Read on for five great reasons to hit the H2O.
You ARE Water
Yep, I hate to break it to you but you ARE water. Your muscles check in at 73% water, your kidneys at 83%, your liver 86%, I could go on and on. This is why dehydration is so unhealthy (and even dangerous) for the human body. Your body needs water for every single thing it does and even a small dip in the water levels it needs can cause headaches, indigestion and all sorts of niggling aches and pains.
Water Helps You Eat better
Water is the key to unlocking a healthy diet. It’s calorie free, costs nothing and can help to stop you binging on unhealthy foods. What we interpret as hunger can often actually be thirst. So, the next time you are craving an unhealthy snack, try drinking a large glass of water first. It’s a helpful way to keep mindless eating under control.
Water Makes Your Skin Glow
Who doesn’t want beautiful skin? Your skin loves moisture and dehydrated skin will look dry, dull and show off every fine line and wrinkle. Drinking lots of water helps to keep skin cells plump and gorgeous, giving you that Hollywood glow that will turn heads.
Water Improves Performance
If you want your fitness performance to be at its best, then you need to drink more water. Proper hydration helps to regulate blood pressure and body temperature while giving your muscle cells the hydration they need to achieve peak performance. Water is also crucial for allowing for the easy transportation of important nutrients around the body. Helping you get the good stuff when you need it most.
Water Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Research has shown that people who drink five glasses of water a day reduce their risk of heart attack by a staggering 41%! Drinking plenty of water makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body, reducing the strain on the organ and allowing every part of your body to work more effectively.
How Much Water Should I Drink?
This is the million-dollar question! The general rule of thumb is 2.7 litres for women and 3.7 litres for men. But your individual needs can vary based on body composition, the outside temperature and other variables. You should be aiming for a water intake that leaves your urine a very pale golden colour. This is the easiest way to check you’re getting enough of the clear stuff.
With September around the corner and summer holidays beginning to feel like a distant memory, it’s time to get back to the hard work of working out. Over the next few weeks, I will be talking about one of my most common client requests. How can I up my ab appeal? Together we will be discovering core exercises and nutritional tips that will leave you feeling absolutely amazing. Until then stay awesome (and hydrated).
