I decided to write a little something something about an experiment that I started about half a year ago and will continue to do moving forward. In getting more educated on hydration I decided to start testing some things out.
Before I get to what I do now, it's important that I tell why I started learning more about the benefits of water in the first place. Here in Austin, TX it get's hot - real hot - for a pretty good part of the year. I started thinking what if my water intake determined my ultimate physical output, my muscle fullness throughout the day, and other things like dry hair, skin, etc. I decided I would try to not only adequately start hydrating myself but also go above and beyond that by let's say 20%.
After six months this is what I have found out.
- I sweat more - and I am confident my odor of sorts (or flora if you may) is very tame
- Cheat meals or bad meals, when I have them, don't affect me as much - they don't seem to stick to my body like they used to
- I have more energy for sure
- I go to the bathroom more - of course
- my skin isn't ashy and in fact it's got a good feel to it - a nice shine
- my mood seems to be more forgiving
- my hunger pains have greatly decreased
- It's way easier to control my weight because I don't mis interpret dehydration signals as "eat something now" signals
- My joints through workouts seem to be nice and fluid - I am 38 by the way
- I end up not being as dehydrated after a night of drinking - in fact, I consume less drinks than I normally would.
Some of the things that I have done to get in that 20% of water everyday
- I work out at 6am everyday . I down 60% of a gallon (that has some pre workout in it) by the time the 1.5 hour workout is done.
- throughout the day I drink water each hour - about a pint
- when I run or ride mtb I make sure to over consume water because of potential heat stroke - very common in TX actually.
- For every drink I have late night w friends at a bar, I adopt the 1:1 ratio. One beer: one pint of water - repeat repeat. This has worked very well, especially the next AM - I am ready to rock and not sitting by letting the day rule me.
- If I get bored of water I will put flavor drops in or drink diet green teas.
- I drink room temp water - never cold - goes down easier and faster.
- My desserts lately have been frozen whole juice pops or fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe. All are very rich in water.
Drawbacks:
I pee a lot. Sweet!
No, but in all seriousness the adequate amount of water of for me is that amount that leads to a small tinge of yellow in my urine - barely detectable. That's when I know it's all good. Super clear pee - to me that's too much water. Yellow or dark yellow - not good - drink up.
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