A few weeks back, I was talking to a friend who was new into working out and living a healthier lifestyle. He had a pretty solid diet and workout plan. However, something was missing and was wrong. He couldn’t seem to find the energy to get into the gym and was not having much progress even with just eating a clean diet! How could this be possible?
I then asked them the series of questions that I have listed below.
- How much water are you drinking a day?
A. Couple glasses I don’t really keep track.
- Do you feel tired through the day?
A. Yes sometimes, even after I have my coffee too.
- How long are you exercising?
A. Around 4 days a week 1 hour a day.
BOOM! Problem solved. He wasn’t consuming enough water!!!
This leads to many issues including stagnation weight lost and muscle gain.
Water is most important because…
-It hydrates the body and gives you energy
When cells don’t maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes they shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue.
-It helps with digestion of food
Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don’t get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration — and the result is constipation.
-It regulates hormones responsible for weight loss and muscle gain.
Dehydration, even if it is very mild, causes your stress hormones to increase because the body interprets dehydration as a life-threatening situation. When your stress hormones increase, it causes a cascade of changes to your thyroid and sex hormones, as well as your insulin.
If you don’t do this already, Next time you leave the house, remember to bring a bottle of water with you! As an active individual you need at least three-quarters to a full gallon of water to perform at your full potential!