hydration-related stories
How Much Water Do I Need?
Your body is about 60 percent water, which is necessary to flush toxins out of your vital organs, carry nutrients to your cells and provide a moist environment for the ears, nose and throat.
But how much water do you need to consume on a daily basis? If you wait to drink until you are thirsty, you risk becoming dehydrated. That's because there are several normal bodily functions -- like sweating and urinating -- that cause the body to lose water.
How Much Water to Drink If You're Trying to Stay Hydrated
The average adult outputs 1.5 liters of urine per day. Therefore, if you drink two liters of water per day and consider the water that is contained in the foods you already eat, you'll be replacing the lost fluids. Most people should drink half their body weight in liquid ounces each day. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds should drink 75 ounces of water per day. Another popular view on water consumption is the "eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day" rule. Those who exercise or live in hot or humid environments will need to drink more water to replace additional fluid loss.
A simple trick to determine if you're getting enough water is to take a peek at your urine. If you "pee clear" then you're most likely properly hydrated!
How Much Water to Drink If You're Trying to Lose Weight
But how much water do you need to consume on a daily basis? If you wait to drink until you are thirsty, you risk becoming dehydrated. That's because there are several normal bodily functions -- like sweating and urinating -- that cause the body to lose water.
How Much Water to Drink If You're Trying to Stay Hydrated
The average adult outputs 1.5 liters of urine per day. Therefore, if you drink two liters of water per day and consider the water that is contained in the foods you already eat, you'll be replacing the lost fluids. Most people should drink half their body weight in liquid ounces each day. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds should drink 75 ounces of water per day. Another popular view on water consumption is the "eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day" rule. Those who exercise or live in hot or humid environments will need to drink more water to replace additional fluid loss.
A simple trick to determine if you're getting enough water is to take a peek at your urine. If you "pee clear" then you're most likely properly hydrated!
How Much Water to Drink If You're Trying to Lose Weight
In addition to helping carry out bodily functions, drinking water can make you feel fuller longer, helping you eat less -- and therefor help you lose weight. In fact, many weight-loss experts recommend drinking water or eating a broth-based soup while on a diet. If you're trying to lose weight, you'll be able to determine whether you're actually hungry or just thirsty after your glass of water or soup.
If you have a hard time drinking enough or unsure if you're getting the amount of water that you need in your diet, try carrying a refillable water bottle. If you shy away from water because you don't like the taste, add a slice of lemon, lime or cucumber to your water. Juices can also help combat dehydration, but be sure to watch out for calorie-filled sodas or other drinks.
More Diet and Fitness Questions Answered:
How Many Calories Do I Need to Eat Per Day?
How Do I Calculate My BMI? How Many Calories Did I Burn?
How Much Protein Do I Need?
How Safe Is Your Drinking Water - This Week on AOL Health
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| Photo: Photodisc |
Detroit Lions' Matthew Stafford - Drinking Before Workout Helps Performance
Celebs & Entertainment, Nutrition & Supplements
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| Photo: Detroit Lions |
That's Fit had a chance to talk to about hydration with Matthew Stafford, former Georgia Bulldog and current Detroit Lions quarterback after going #1 in the 2009 NFL draft. Having grown up in Texas and played college football in the South, Stafford has always been cognizant of the importance of getting enough water. He's now taking part in a joint effort between Gatorade and the NFL called Beat the Heat.
That's Fit: Have you had any scares or personal experience with severe dehydration?
MS: I had never really cramped or had a problem, and then, when [Georgia] was playing South Carolina, I cramped up so badly. I had both legs going at the same time -- it was scary, I couldn't even walk. I realized then how important it is to not just hydrate during the game, but before.
CamelBak Hydration Packs for Women
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| CamelBak Annadel Hydration Pack Photo: CamelBak.com |
There's a simple (and affordable) solution to all of these -- a hydration pack. CamelBak has been making a wide range of hydration packs over the years to suit a variety of needs. They have options for an expanding array of sports and sizes. The latest women's design is the Annadel, which I just tried out.
The Annadel ($45) is fairly compact, holding one to two hours of hydration (50 oz) and not a whole lot else. There's a pocket for keys, phone and a few other basics. My husband went with the Rogue ($55), which is also fairly streamlined but holds over two hours of hydration (70 oz) and a little more cargo than mine.
Eat Your Hydration
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| Photo: kurisurokku, Flickr |
Water is cool, refreshing and calorie-free, but certain types of produce have a leg up on H2O. Why? Because they provide nutrients like mineral salts, amino acids and vitamins as well as hydration.
When exercising, your body can lose electrolytes through sweat. Replenishing lost electrolytes is the whole premise behind sports drinks. But certain fresh fruits and veggies can replenish your body, too -- without all the artificial colors and flavors.
Livestrong - Dare to Drink More Water
For one, water quenches your thirst, making you less likely to reach for that soft drink. And as they're saying over at Livestrong, where more than 11,000 members have dared to sip more H2O, water also helps flush away toxins and replenish muscles. And since being even mildly dehydrated can make you tired and headache-y, drinking plenty of water can ensure you have enough energy for your workout every day.
For a lot of people, though, drinking plain water gets boring. But as the commenters over at Livestrong are quick to point out, adding natural flavors to water not only keeps things interesting, but fruits and veggies can boost nutrition too. Here are some quick and healthy ideas for putting some splash into your next glass of water.
Hydrate Before and After Your Workout
I'll admit it. I'm guilty of not drinking enough water before, during and after my workouts. Sure, I'll steal a few sips from my water bottle every now and again, but I don't do it consciously and I never feel particularly well-hydrated. But apparently, I'm not only setting myself for dehydration-related aches and pains, I could also be affecting my workout performance.
In a recent study conducted by Dan Judelson, Ph.D., an assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University in Fullerton, exercisers who were dehydrated completed three to five fewer reps per set while strength-training.
Gatorade's Got a Brand New Attitude
Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
Back in the day, when I started playing basketball, I had two choices for drinks -- water or Gatorade, with a choice of Orange or Lemon-Lime. There might've been Fruit Punch, too, but I am not a fan. Anyway, just as I've expanded my interests from strictly basketball to a variety of sports and fitness endeavors, Gatorade is stepping it up, too. "Just like any good athlete, Gatorade is taking it to the next level. Whether you're in it for the win, for the thrill or for better health, if your body is moving, Gatorade sees you as an athlete, and we're inviting you into the brand," said Gatorade's chief marketing officer.
And this brand is sporting a whole new attitude. Today's athletes want choices beyond a variety of flavors, and that's just what Gatorade is putting out there. The new names for the different types of Gatorade aim to convey the attitude of a tough-love coach or trainer, which will be evident on the new labels.
The Big O, Belly Bloat, and the Obama Diet - Week in Review December 1 to December 7
If you missed our daily postings this past week, we invite you to take some time to catch up on our prior week's news and gear up for a new week of healthy living information and inspiration.Recently discovered: The best weight loss drink in the world! What is it? Jonny will tell you. (Hint: It's free and you can get it from your kitchen faucet.)
use spend in the bedroom. Laura has six tips for better sex. Hey, it can't hurt ... might help, right?
Trying to squeeze into a slinky black dress for that holiday party? Fitz tells you how to banish the bloat from your belly for the big night.
Get fit on a treadmill without using your feet? Yes, really. Let Fitz andWiggle Anthony Field teach you some innovative new moves.
A lifetime of crash dieting may (may) leave you thin, but happy? Not so much. Valerie Frankel speaks out about the 150 diet plans she's tried over the years.
When a character in a Stephen King story gets on a treadmill, weird things are sure to happen. Find out how the king of scary feels about exercise machines.
Don't wait until 2009 to make your New Year's resolutions. Bev has 13 things you can do right now for a fitter 2009.
He's not only President-elect, he's also a great role model for good nutrition. Find out how Barack Obama eats.
Have a great week everyone!
Camelbak Giveaway Winner
Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
After an insane number of entries, we have selected a winner for our Camelbak Better Bottle Giveaway -- Angela, who "will use this running, biking and at yoga." And while I'm super excited for Angela, she's not the only one getting a Camelbak Better Bottle -- in case you didn't know, we ran this giveaway in conjunction with our friends at Green Daily and StyleList!The StyleList winner was Laura, who wrote, "This bottle will be used wherever I go! My car, my home, the gym, the trail ... if I'm there, my water bottle is too!" The winner at Green Daily is Tari, who said, "This bottle would be perfect for me to take to the gym."
Congratulations to our winners, and thanks to all of you who entered the contest. Keep checking back, because we've got loads more fantastic giveaways lined up for you!
Eat your water
Probably the best way to gauge your hydration is by the color of your urine. Your urine should be pale yellow or nearly clear. If you find you need to hydrate a little more, but can't imagine drinking any more water, never fear. There are many foods that help you hydrate. Check out the gallery for some ideas. Cooking Light also has recipes incorporating hydrating ingredients.
Drinking water for weight loss: Is it a 'waist' of time?
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
If you're looking to slim down, one of the first tips you'll probably get is to drink more water. But for those of us who diligently down our 64 oz a day, here's some bad news: Recent studies out of the UK suggest that drinking water to slim down could be a waste of time. In a study of 1,000 young women, researchers found no link between waist size and drinking habits -- regardless of what participants regularly drank, be it soda, juice, coffee, tea or water.
However, there was a link between waist size and water consumption in food -- meaning that women who ate foods high in water content -- think fruits, veggies, soups, rice, etc -- tend to be smaller. Read the full findings here.
Still, I would take these findings with a grain of salt. Not only does your body require water to function, I think it's great for weight loss because it helps flush out your system and can take the edge off your hunger. I swear by it anyway -- what about you?
Viggo Mortensen drinks his tea with a pipe
When it comes to healthy ways to stay hydrated, tea is near the top of the list. Not only is it fat, calorie, and sugar-free, it's also often loaded with antioxidants. So why does Viggo Mortensen keep getting in trouble for his tea habit, especially at the airport?Probably because Viggo drinks his tea with a pipe. He prefers a tea called Argentinean mate. According to Wikipedia, mate is an infusion of stimulants and tea that are traditionally drunk out of a gourd. Modern drinkers like Viggo, however, may use something called a bomba. This small metal pipe allows the tea to reach the mouth, while filtering out the chunkier parts of the mixture.
The problem for Viggo is that he often takes his tea and bomba to the airport in ziploc bags, causing airport security to raise their eyebrows in curiousity and concern. Once Viggo explains that what he's carrying is tea and not an illegal drug, he says, it's usually not an issue.
Thirsty? Try eating your fluids!
Did you know that when you don't drink enough water, you can actually gain weight? That's because when you aren't well hydrated, your body will hold on to water. The advice about how much water one should drink can get pretty murky. Some say 6 glasses a day, others say 8. Still others say only drink when you are thirsty, while some advice will tell you to drink as much as you can. Though it's less than pleasant to talk about, I tend to agree with the experts who say that your urine will tell you if you're well-hydrated: Clear and pale is good. Dark or cloudy means it's time to increase your level of fluids each day.
If getting in enough water is tough for you, don't forget that you can load up on fluids through the foods you eat as well. For instance, did you know that watermelon is roughly 90% water? Maybe that's why it tastes so good on a hot summer day! According to CNN, about 20 to 30% of the water we need come through our food. Check out their advice on eating your fluids to stay hydrated.
Constant thirst may signal health risk
Womens Health, HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Men's Health
Here in the U.S., we're fortunate enough to have clean drinking water at our disposal almost at all times. As such, when we're thirsty, we either fill up a glass with some tap water, take a sip from a water fountain, or spend a buck-and-a-half on a bottled water. Whatever method we choose, the end result is the same: we're no longer thirsty.But what if a glass or bottle of water isn't enough to satisfy your thirst? And, what if you're excessively thirsty all the time? HealthCentral.com reports that this may be a sign of a serious health problem.
Health Central lists the following causes of excessive thirst, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
- A side effect of certain drugs, including anticholinergics, demeclocycline, diuretics or phenothiazines.
- Significant loss of water or salt, possibly caused by not drinking enough water, profuse sweating, diarrhea or vomiting.
- Significant blood loss or loss of body fluids, caused by an underlying health condition.
- Diabetes or diabetes insipidus.
