Word of the Week: HYDRATE

The word of the week is HYDRATE.  To hydrate is to supply water to a person or thing in order to restore or maintain fluid balance.

Hydrate is Primal need #2 and one of the top 4 life-sustaining absolutes because you can only live approximately 7 days without water.

By simply improving your hydration at the right times, you can better:

• Carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells
• Flush bacteria from your bladder
• Improve digestion
• Prevent constipation
• Normalize blood pressure
• Stabilize your heartbeat
• Cushion your joints
• Protect organs and tissues
• Regulate body temperature
• Maintain Electrolyte (sodium) balance

Source: Harvard Medical School Special Health Report 6-Week Plan for Health Eating

Most of the human body is water- average of roughly 60%. Our blood is 90% water.  The amount of water in the body changes slightly with age, sex, and hydration levels.

Females: Varies between 45% and 60%.

Men: Varies between 50% and 65% of the total body

Babies: 75% and 78%, dropping to 65% by one year of age

I like to measure this important variable daily with my coaching clients using a bioimpedance scale and it has been interesting to see how often weight tends to goes up with heat and lowered water intake.

In addition, I have observed greater weight loss, fat loss, in addition to reduced muscle cramps and constipation with added electrolytes.

Yes, oten times water is not enough. Electrolytes are minerals in your body that have an electric charge: Sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium. They are in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. They balance the amount of water in your body and balance your body’s acid/base (pH) level.

My top two supplement recommendations are Complete Mineral Complex and Electrolyte Synergy from Designs for Health. Use Coupon code “FIT10” for 10% off. I also like LMNT if you are on a low carb/high fat diet and avoid eating out.

I thought this would be a good word of the week because it has been a very hot summer and many are suffering the consequences of dehydration.

Coaching Tips:

• Start your day with 16 oz. of water (add lemon juice and raw apple cider vinegar in water for added benefits).
• Drink 8-16 oz. of water before and one hour after each meal.
• Your goal for the day is to accumulate ½ your body weight in oz. of quality water.
• Drink another 4 oz. with each 15-minute exercise session.
• Use filtered water for drinking and showering.
• Consider using an Aquasauna water filter.
• Avoid keeping your water in plastic containers. Try mason jars!