I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know the answer to this question yet in practice they fail. Everybody I've talked to seems to know that 8-12 glasses of water a day is the recommended standard. But if I ask them how many glasses of water have you consumed today? The answer is usually none. Or the other standard answer at a corporate environment "does coffee count?"
While 8-12 glasses of water is great for the average sedentary person, many of us are fitness conscious or on the pursuit of some type of bodybuilding physique. With that in mind, I think the new standard for us should be 1-2 gallons of water a day.
As a bodybuilder, you are putting much more nutrients, food, supplements, and other stuff into your body. What your body does not use, it must rid itself of by any means necessary. Usually it does this via water. So drinking plenty of water becomes a necessity. Increasing protein puts a strain on your body and drinking lots of water can keep things "moving." Creatine monohydrate supplementation requires a lot of water. Creatine is all about cell volumization. Making sure your cells are completely hydrated helps with the volumization process. NO2, a hemodilator, requires water. Many other supplements require water as a transport and a flushing method.
The side effects of drinking too little water are an excess buildup of certain chemicals. Creatine can leave behind some buildup that overtime, becomes a bit hard to pass. Putting such a strain on the body is also self-defeating. But don't get me wrong, it's not just about Creatine and NO2. It's about making sure you are hydrated.
Being properly hydrated has it's benefits other then just the flushing methods and cell volumization discussed above. Your state of alertness is affected by your hydration levels. Performance in the gym by a hydrated body is enhanced. Your body is roughly 70% water. It makes sense to hydrate it. Drinking water is not just for hot days. It's for intense workouts in the gym. In fact, being hydrated has that perpetual pump that is so sought after.
There can be too much of a good thing. Drinking water to excess leads to water intoxication, referred to as hyponatremia. As you consume water, blood plasma increases and dilutes the salt content of the blood. While this is happening, you lose more salt by sweating. Consequently the amount of salt available to the body tissues decreases and over time, the loss interferes with brain, heart and muscle functions. Water intoxication is more commonly found in endurance athletes.
Drink plenty of water per day, but just keep in mind, there can be too much of a good thing. Being properly hydrated is necessary for optimum performance in the gym and for keeping your body performing well.
Marc David is a bodybuilder, writer, and author of the the e-book "The Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding" (BGFB): What Every Beginner Should Know but Probably Doesn't. Marc has written over 20 articles and has been featured in several health and fitness websites. Marc's opinionated and informative articles on bodybuilding, weight loss and training are featured regularly on: http://www.freedomfly.net
To subscribe to Marc's free b-weekly e-zine, visit the Freedomfly website here: http://www.freedomfly.net
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
Glowing skin comes free of charge to you. Our simple... Read More
What I am also going to point out is the... Read More
For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder... Read More
For decades science has been looking for the answers to... Read More
In parts 1-6 of this series of articles titled "Take... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
How Can... Read More
So, what is new about this that you already don't... Read More
Increasing the fiber in your diet has been shown to:... Read More
The confusion about eating healthy and dieting will now be... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More
For most people, the concept of capsulized food? usually conjures... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More
Carbohydrates - found in grains, breads, pasta, and sugar, as... Read More
You are what you eat is a simple, time tested... Read More
At any grocery store in North America right now, there... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for... Read More
Fire ElementAccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five... Read More
Cherries?A Supercharged FruitThe little red fruit that has been enjoyed... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
When we think about the benefits of being ensuring a... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
Cranberry juice was first made by American settlers in 1683.... Read More
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
It is shocking how many people are not taking advantage... Read More
People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don't believe... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More
Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of... Read More
On average 30% of foods in our daily diet are... Read More
Modern life can be stressful. There are so many concerns... Read More
Nutrition |