Enough water that is….
Many times we think we are properly hydrated, but how do we really know?
Our body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue and organ needs water. Without water our body cannot remove waste, metabolize food, lubricate joints, maintain its temperature, and transport nutrients.
Did you know that water makes up more than half of our body weight and is the most important nutrient that it uses? We only have one body to live in, so we better make sure to take care of it!
Here are some of the signs of dehydration:
” Extreme thirst
” Headaches
” Muscle cramps
” Darker urine or very little urine
” Rapid pulse
” Dry mouth
” Confusion
” Sleepiness or fatigue
Here are some easy ways to help stay hydrated:
” Drink water (duh!)
” Eat foods high in water content such as cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, green peppers, lettuce, radishes, bell peppers, celery, broccoli, pineapple, cauliflower, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, grapefruit, berries, baby carrots, kiwi, radishes, and cantaloupe
” Drink beverages high in water content such as coconut water, tea, coffee, lemonade, vegetable juice, fruit juice, milk, etc.
” Carry a filled water bottle all day long (I do and it really helps!)
” Consume ice chips
” Use all-natural sea salt sprinkled sparingly on food to help balance water and potassium levels and to alkalize the body
” Exercise to increase circulation to get more nutrients into your cells
I usually recommend drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water every day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, then 70 ounces of water is ideal. If exercising or working extra hard in a day, additional water will be needed to make-up what is lost while sweating.
So, start drinking up, but keep in mind that increasing water intake abruptly can be a challenge. The key is to slowly work your way up to the allotted amount of water each day and eventually your body will compensate. If you stay hydrated, your body will function properly every day!
