Enjoy this guest post by Big Sky Coach Ryan Bourgeois.
Ryan is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer with certifications in Nutrition, Corrective exercise, Bodybuilding and Senior Fitness. He’s also has a Weight Loss Specialist through NASM and behavior modification certification through NESTA. Ryan is also a DYT (Defend Yourself Training) Coach at the Simsbury Big Sky location.
Hydration…Get better at it!!
Staying hydrated involves more than simply reaching for a glass of water when you’re thirsty or when your mouth feels dry.
The human body comprises 45-70% water, a range influenced by factors such as current hydration level, age, and sex. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, resulting in slowed digestion, an elevated heart rate, and the onset of fatigue and weakness. Dehydrated individuals often experience a decrease in appetite coupled with heightened sugar cravings. Joint discomfort may arise due to inadequate lubrication, and issues like vision problems, headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, and difficulties regulating body temperature or cramping during activities can manifest. It might sound like the laundry list of side effects from a medication commercial!
Hydration tends to be overlooked, but investing effort in improving it is definitely worth it!
Benefits of proper hydration:
Beyond countering the effects of dehydration, consistent hydration can transform your well-being, making you feel almost like an entirely different person!
Your body becomes better at warding off infections, delivering nutrients, metabolizing foods, and safeguarding vital components such as the spine or a developing fetus during pregnancy. Improved sleep, cognition, and mood follow suit. Strength, endurance, and muscle fullness and function all see enhancements. There really isn’t any reason not to hydrate, is there? 🤷♂️
Almost everyone encounters some form of dehydration-related side effect at some point. So, how can we get better at avoiding it?
Simple strategies, like keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day or setting alarms on your phone to remind you to drink more, can be effective. Consider using sticky notes at your desk as reminders or using rubber bands moved from one wrist to another, signifying each bottle consumed. Tally marks on your water bottle with a sharpie or using inexpensive bottles with hourly reminders like “Drink Up!” and “Keep Chugging!” can also be helpful. If plain water seems boring, try adding flavor with lemons, limes, frozen pineapple chunks, strawberries, slices of fresh ginger, or fresh mint—whatever makes water more enjoyable for you.
So, go ahead and fill your glass, your water bottle, or your gallon jug! Stick your head under the faucet or use the water fountain — whatever works for you! Take a satisfying sip.
And if you’re looking for additional support in achieving your exercise and nutrition goals, we’re here to help! Sign up for our FREE 10-Day Personal Training Experience HERE and start seeing results faster!
See you at Big Sky!
* Open to both Members and Non-Members. Must not have done Personal Training, Team Training or a Team Training Trial in the past 6 months.
