Conditioning 360


Vancouver Personal Training, Sport Conditioning, Rehabilitation & Nutrition

The Importance of Hydration

When that hydrogen atom decided to attach to the single hydrogen and oxygen atoms, I wonder if it realized the life force it was creating. You see, Water does way more than what we tend to give it credit for – and thus, has a much larger impact on our bodies, minds, and moods than we tend to realize. An average sedentary person requires at minimum 2 litres of water a day. Add physical activity, and/or heat, and we’re talking (again, at minimum) 3 litres of water/day. If we’re drinking juice or pop, that is going to have the reverse effect, and actually dehydrate us.

The wonders of water:

Your need for water is second only to your need for oxygen. It serves as a building material and muscle cells happen to have one of the highest water contents at 70%, and your brain is 75% water. Water lubricates your joints which is helpful to the engaging in high impact exercise such as running, aerobics classes, etc.

Water removes heat from the body (sweat) so it will lead to less fatigue in any intense cardiovascular or strength-training program. Water plays an important role when trying to reduce unwanted fat, and it is essential to drink lots of water in order to burn fat efficiently. Restricting your water intake causes your body to retain more water and this can wreak havoc in a dieters mind when they mistake the extra fluid retention for an increase in body fat.

Not getting enough water can also promote fat retention. Due to its role in removal of waste and transportation of nutrients, the body can interpret a lack of water as a major stress. The body often responds to this by implementing it’s defence mechanisms and preserving its stores of fat and water reducing one’s ability to achieve that toned and defined look.

August 20th, 2009
Topic: Diet Tags:

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