Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

So I heard it's hot in DC! I have been traveling since we got out of school so I haven't had the pleasure of dealing with the extreme heat...yet. However,  I do know a little about exercising in the heat. The biggest concern when exercising in extreme heat is staying hydrated.

What does that mean?
When your body sweats you don't just sweat water, your body loses electrolytes and salt too. Electrolytes affect the regulation of blood pH and your body's hydration, which it turn affect the way your nervous system and muscle function.

How do I prevent dehydration?
Drink lots of water all the time, not just when you are exercising! We've all heard that the average adult needs 8 glasses of water a day, but when you sweat just walking from your front door to the sidewalk, it's a sure sign you need to drink even more. Carry a water bottle with you all day and constantly refill. Another way to avoid problems associated with dehydration is to exercise in the morning or evening. Try to stay out of the mid-day heat.

So is drinking water enough?
Maybe. If you find that you are lightheaded, have headaches, or stop sweating- a sign of even more serious hydration issues- you may want to think about drinking a sports drink or coconut water after you exercise. Coconut water is a natural way to replenish the electrolytes in your body without the added sugar that comes with popular sports drinks. Coconut water is also the very "in" drink of chose among fitness freaks, if you're into that sort of thing.

So why do people drink gatorade all the time?!
The same reason people drink soda all the time. It's sweet, comes in every color of the rainbow, and really well advertised.

Gatorade was designed by the University of Flordia's College of Medicine after the football team was struggling during summer practices. The athletes were experiencing all the signs of dehydration including muscle cramps and literally passing out during practice. Clearly water wasn't cutting it. So, some of the professors designed a drink that would help replenish the players electrolyte, water, and salt loss during practice. That year the team went on to beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their first Orange Bowl victory. When the Yellow Jackets' coach, was asked why they lost the game, he claimed, "We didn't have gatorade. That made the difference."

Read more about exercising in the hot, hot heat here: http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/8_Tips_for_Exercising_in_Summer_Heat.htm

Here's to healthy hydration!