ComputerHunter.org

 

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?


I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know the answer to this question yet in practice they fail. Everybody I've talked to seems to know that 8-12 glasses of water a day is the recommended standard. But if I ask them how many glasses of water have you consumed today? The answer is usually none. Or the other standard answer at a corporate environment "does coffee count?"

While 8-12 glasses of water is great for the average sedentary person, many of us are fitness conscious or on the pursuit of some type of bodybuilding physique. With that in mind, I think the new standard for us should be 1-2 gallons of water a day.

As a bodybuilder, you are putting much more nutrients, food, supplements, and other stuff into your body. What your body does not use, it must rid itself of by any means necessary. Usually it does this via water. So drinking plenty of water becomes a necessity. Increasing protein puts a strain on your body and drinking lots of water can keep things "moving." Creatine monohydrate supplementation requires a lot of water. Creatine is all about cell volumization. Making sure your cells are completely hydrated helps with the volumization process. NO2, a hemodilator, requires water. Many other supplements require water as a transport and a flushing method.

The side effects of drinking too little water are an excess buildup of certain chemicals. Creatine can leave behind some buildup that overtime, becomes a bit hard to pass. Putting such a strain on the body is also self-defeating. But don't get me wrong, it's not just about Creatine and NO2. It's about making sure you are hydrated.

Being properly hydrated has it's benefits other then just the flushing methods and cell volumization discussed above. Your state of alertness is affected by your hydration levels. Performance in the gym by a hydrated body is enhanced. Your body is roughly 70% water. It makes sense to hydrate it. Drinking water is not just for hot days. It's for intense workouts in the gym. In fact, being hydrated has that perpetual pump that is so sought after.

There can be too much of a good thing. Drinking water to excess leads to water intoxication, referred to as hyponatremia. As you consume water, blood plasma increases and dilutes the salt content of the blood. While this is happening, you lose more salt by sweating. Consequently the amount of salt available to the body tissues decreases and over time, the loss interferes with brain, heart and muscle functions. Water intoxication is more commonly found in endurance athletes.

Drink plenty of water per day, but just keep in mind, there can be too much of a good thing. Being properly hydrated is necessary for optimum performance in the gym and for keeping your body performing well.

Marc David is a bodybuilder, writer, and author of the the e-book "The Beginner's Guide to Fitness and Bodybuilding" (BGFB): What Every Beginner Should Know but Probably Doesn't. Marc has written over 20 articles and has been featured in several health and fitness websites. Marc's opinionated and informative articles on bodybuilding, weight loss and training are featured regularly on: http://www.freedomfly.net

To subscribe to Marc's free b-weekly e-zine, visit the Freedomfly website here: http://www.freedomfly.net/fitnessnewsletter.htm







Google News - Top Stories

guardian.co.uk

Rapport With Ex-Rival Will Be Key for Clinton
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
In introducing his choice for secretary of state, President-elect Barack Obama said, "Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances.
Video: Obama Picks Gates, Clinton for Foreign Policy AssociatedPress
So what's in this for Hillary? Salon
Reuters - AFP - New York Times - International Herald Tribune
all 4,165 news articles


Teen with chain and padlock on ankle flees Tracy residence
San Jose Mercury News - 36 minutes ago
By Mike Martinez TRACY - Police arrested a Tracy couple Monday afternoon in connection with a case involving a 16-year-old boy who - wearing only a pair of baggy boxers and carrying a heavy chain padlocked to his ankle - stumbled into a local gym ...
Shackled Teen Claims He was Held Captive for One Year News10.net
Chained teen escapes alleged captors Tracy Press
United Press International - CBS13.com - KCRA.com - San Jose Mercury News
all 39 news articles


NBC13.com

NJ gov lobbying Obama for state aid
Newsday - 4 hours ago
SAYREVILLE, NJ - Gov. Jon S. Corzine says he'll press the case for a $600 billion-plus economic stimulus package for the states when he and other governors meet with President-elect Barack Obama.
Huntsman, Guvs to talk stimulus with Obama Salt Lake Tribune
NV gov to attend meeting with Obama on economy San Jose Mercury News
The News Journal - Philadelphia Metro - CNNMoney.com - York Daily Record
all 588 news articles


CTV.ca

US, India Pressure Pakistan to Cooperate in Mumbai Probe
Washington Post - 2 hours ago
By Candace Rondeaux ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 1 -- With tensions rising between India and Pakistan following the deadly attacks in Mumbai last week, the United States on Monday increased pressure on Pakistan to cooperate in the investigation, ...
Video: Bodies Removed From Mumbai Hotel AssociatedPress
Kashmir frets as India-Pakistan ties worsen Reuters India
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty - BBC News - Christian Science Monitor - China Daily
all 2,826 news articles


The Week

Official: Bomb blast kills 2, wounds 30 in India
The Associated Press - 28 minutes ago
GAUHATI, India (AP) - A bomb exploded in a train coach in India's insurgency-hit northeast on Tuesday, killing at least two people and injuring another 30, a state government official said.
Ten wounded in train bomb blast in India Assam state International Herald Tribune
Train Blast in Indian State of Assam Kills 2 People, PTI Says Bloomberg
Monsters and Critics.com - Xinhua - Times of India - Hindu
all 226 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base