Getting Hydrated

This week we’re going to be looking at the importance of being properly hydrated. This seems to be a topic of great contention in the health field with some saying only drink when you’re thirsty, others saying drink gallons, and others who have complicated formulas including scales and weight and such. I’m not a scientist, but I have definitely noticed since moving to Calgary – a very dry climate – that when I drink regularly throughout the day, I am in much better shape than when I don’t. I did quite a bit of research on water when I began my new “fitness life” a couple of years back, and here are the conclusions I came to:

1. Don’t overdo it. You can create a serious problem called “Hyponatremia” if you drink large amounts of water at a time, or much more water than necessary. Some of the symptoms may include:
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Headache
   • Confusion
   • Lethargy
   • Fatigue
   • Appetite loss
   • Restlessness and irritability
   • Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps
   • Seizures
   • Decreased consciousness or coma
2. Don’t under do it! Symptoms of mild dehydration may include:
   • Thirst
   • Loss of Appetite
   • Dry Skin
   • Skin Flushing
   • Dark Colored Urine
   • Dry Mouth
   • fatigue or Weakness
   • Chills
   • Head Rushes
3. Instead, you want to get it just right! After extensive research I’ve discovered that for me, the best solution is a simple, one-time calculation: Take your current body weight in pounds and divide it by 2. That’s the number of ounces you should drink each day. So, for example, a person weighing 150 lbs should drink 75 ounces of water per day, or roughly 2.5 (2.34) quarts (or litres).

The trick is to not do it all at once. You’ll get waterlogged and spend the day on the toilet! You want to gradually increase your water intake week by week, and never more than 16 oz at a time. 8-10 oz is a great amount to shoot for. You also want to make sure you’re drinking good water. Tap water (at least here in Calgary!) doesn’t count, nor do most bottled waters, which aren’t much safer. Bad water is rarely absorbed properly by the body. It mostly just goes through you. My recommendation is to find someone who supplies great quality water with no minerals (minerals in water are inorganic, and your body can’t use them well. Your body needs minerals that are supplied by vegetables grown in rich, healthy soil). I recently met a great guy named Tyler who runs ProH20 in Cochrane, just outside Calgary. I would recommend his water if you’re looking for a supplier. I don’t get any kind of kickback from this recommendation, either. In fact, Tyler doesn’t even know I’m doing this! I just enjoyed meeting him, and this is a guy who is totally passionate about what he does. I love supporting passionate people, especially if they’re also local. So, there you have it. Find out how much water you need to drink, and add a glass a week until you’ve reached your goal, and make sure you’re drinking good quality water!

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* Any link with an asterisk (*) denotes an affiliate link or a source with some kind of payback for me. The advice offered in this blog is based upon the author’s own experience. The author is not engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the readers. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this blog are not intended to replace a consultation with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. The author shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity that incurs any loss, damage, or injury caused directly, or indirectly from any information or suggestion in this Program. * Any link with an asterisk (*) denotes an affiliate link or a source with some kind of payback for me.