Drinking water to stay fit and healthy

It is absolutely essential to drink lots of fluids, the best being water while undertaking a fitness program. This will ensure that you maintain good levels of fitness and all round health. To know about how much water you must consume, you can follow the following guidelines.You can drink one to two cups (eight to 16 ounces) of fluid two hours before exercise to make sure you are well hydrated. Immediately before exercise you can again drink half to one cup of water.

While engaged in exercise, you must drink one-half to one cup every 15 to 20 minutes. Although this might seem tough at first, once you schedule it into your regular training routine, you will quickly adapt to taking enough fluid in your stomach. In fact, the fuller your stomach is, the faster it will empty.

After exercise, you must replace any fluid you have lost. You must definitely drink two cups of fluid for every pound of body weight you lose during exercise. This will help you maintain good health and fitness.

You need to drink more than usual in hot and humid climate for health and fitness. But dehydration also occurs during exercise in cold weather. As your body temperature rises, and you still lose water through perspiration and respiration.

Are sports drinks better or is it plain water which is most effective after an strict exercise routine? The answer to this question depends on how much and how hard you exercise–and whether you prefer to drink water.

The ideal fluid replacement beverage should encourage fluid consumption and promote fluid absorption. For a less than one hour exercise program, water should be fine. For any exercise program that extends more than one hour, the fluid should also supply energy to your working muscles. In this case, you can opt for sports drinks.

Is sodium content in sports drinks essential for health? The average exerciser does not need to replace sodium or other electrolytes during exercise.

Professional marathoners will also have enough sodium to complete a competition. However, it is best to eat a meal that contains some sodium to replace what you may have lost after an exercise program. Also do not worry about restricting the sodium in your food immediately after running a marathon.