Quick Tips: Staying Hydrated

Everyone knows how important it is to drink plenty of water while working out, but not everyone continues the habit of staying hydrated throughout the day. Staying hydrated allows your body to function more efficiently, flushes toxins from your system, improves the look and feel of your skin, and helps ward off hunger.

When should you drink water?

--When you start and end the day.

--Before, after, and during a workout.

--When you feel hungry. Often dehydration is mistaken for hunger.

Drinking plain ‘ole water can be boring. But there are plenty of healthy ways to jazz up that water bottle. Check out some of the recipes below, found at NancyCreative.

Citrus Cucumber Water 

• 1 large lemon, sliced
• 1 large lime, sliced 
• 1 large orange, sliced 
• 1 large cucumber, sliced 
• 1 half-gallon of water 

 Herb and Berry-flavored Water 

• 1 cup fresh blueberries, lightly crushed 
• 2 4-inch sprigs of fresh rosemary, lightly bruised (to release more flavor)
• 1 half-gallon of water 

Fruit Water 

• One each of the following fruits: apple, lemon, orange, pear
• 4 large strawberries
• Handful of raspberries
• Handful of mint leaves
• 1 half gallon of water 

Another great way to rehydrate is coconut water. Vita Coco Pineapple Coconut water is my favorite. It has slightly more sugar, but it’s much less bitter than plain coconut water. As an added bonus, coconut water is high in potassium. Some swear it can even cure a hangover! (Not that I would know anything about that!)

Happy hydrating!