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By Lee Crow
This edition of Eating Crow takes a look at the importance of proper hydration. Since spring passed us by and summer is upon us – or at least it feels that way – it is important to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.
If you are like me and you are active with your fitness, maybe you do CrossFit or boot camps. Maybe you run or Cycle. Regardless, you want to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and adding in some sort of electrolyte replacement. One of the worst feelings is when you’re out in the heat and you start to cramp up or you start to feel sick. If you’re not drinking enough water and you’re not adding in electrolyte replacements that’s gonna happen. It recently happened to me on a 30-mile bike ride. What I thought was enough water – wasn’t. You can never drink too much water. I typically drink 1-2 gallons of water a day.
With regards to electrolyte replacement, you want to look for three things. The amount of sugar, sodium, and potassium. You want low sugar so your blood sugar doesn’t shoot through the roof. Not to mention, sugar isn’t a great way to fill your daily carb intake. Low sodium is important so you don’t retain water. Higher potassium is important to avoid cramping up during exercise.
Remember, plenty of water and proper electrolyte replacement will make for a much more enjoyable summer full of activity and will make exercising and general outdoor activities easier to push through.
For more information on what I do to beat the heat feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me at (501)794-9792. See the the archives to his featured column here.