Water

I can remember as a teen my mother tried to help me bring my weight under control. She had me drinking eight glasses of water a day. I didn’t loose weight, but I did feel nauseous most of the time. It wasn’t until many years later that I realized that the health industry’s version of a glass of water was only 8 oz. This was far less than the large soda mug my mom use to get me to drink. I must have been drinking close to 20 glasses a day.

I have learned one thing, water is important, but you cannot loose weight by drinking water alone. I love meeting new people in the fitness world. They are all excited and determined to loose weight and become buff. They are wearing the latest in fitness clothing and looking like the stepped out of a fashion magazine. That is until they are crouched on the floor, tear stained eyes, because their muscles hurt.

I just walk over and tell them to drink water. The results are different. Sometimes the pain is gone before they finish chugging half the bottle of water. Sometimes it takes longer.

The important thing is to remember that your muscles will cramp if you lack water. This is very important if you are going hiking. No one wants to start cramping two miles into the bush.

Water doesn’t always taste great. Sometimes I boil mint tea or get a health food tea and use just enough to flavor the water. I stay away from regular tea because people who exercise should try to avoid caffeine.

The main rule is to drink at least four or five bottles of water a day, and keep one with you when exercising.