H2O

Guest blog post by Live Fit head personal trainer Rich Berrian:

You hear everyone say it all the time, “Drink more water.”

Your doctor, the news, magazines, Dr. Oz, your trainers and your parents probably used to tell you too!

Water, why is it important?

  • Well, for starters, about 70% of the earth is covered in it.
  • All living creatures rely on the water that earth provides in order to live.
  • The body is approximately 65% water and would potentially only survive 3 – 5 days without it.
  • Human life would cease to exist without water.
  • Our brains are composed of 95% water,
  • Our blood is composed of 82% water,
  • Our lungs are composed of 90% water.

Water is the most important nutrient in the body as well as the most abundant.

benefits water in morning

It is the single, most critical nutrient for overall health, growth, and development.

So, we know it’s important, and we kind of know why, but what other purposes does water serve?

What other benefits does it provide?

We drink it… but are we drinking enough?

Water is used in our bodies for an extensive amount of things; however, here are a few topics that I think everyone can relate to.

Soreness – Water will help flush toxins from the body and keep the body hydrated. Water also works as the body’s transport system. Drinking enough water will ensure that the body is better able to shuttle nutrients to the muscles that have been worked. This will speed the recovery process which will minimize soreness.

Performance/energy – Hydration is not only important for overall health and functionality of the body, it also helps to keep your athletic performance at an optimal level. Reducing your fluid by just 2% could hurt your performance by as much as 10-20%! Dehydration can make muscle soreness more painful than it has to be. Be sure to avoid caffeine and alcohol because they will dehydrate you!

Cramps/spasms – Muscle cramps or spasms are thought to be caused by a number of different things but one of the biggest contributors is dehydration. Fluids help muscles to contract and relax… aka move… these fluids are lost when you sweat, as well as water which includes electrolytes. If the muscle cells don’t stay hydrated, then they won’t work as efficiently, resulting in strain and ultimately cramping.

water benefits vs soda

So how much water is enough?

It is suggested that athletes or physically active people drink anywhere from .5 ounces – 1.0 ounces of water per pound of bodyweight daily to stay properly hydrated and keep the body running at the most optimal and efficient level. The more you sweat throughout the day, you should add an extra 20 ounces per half hour of working out. This would mean a 150 pound person would drink between 75-170 ounces of water depending on if you’re having a sedentary day, or if you’re having an active day with a half hour workout.

To demand the most of your body, you must know your body!

rich berrian personal trainer derek kuryliw new port richey bootcamp

In Fitness and Health,
Richard Berrian
Personal Trainer
#gunslikerich