Summer workouts are a beautiful thing. Now that the weather is nice and the days are long, there’s no reason to stay inside. You can go for an outdoor run, do yoga, or go for a hike. After your outdoor workout, you may feel great, but did you hydrate enough? Chances are, the answer is no. Keri Gans, MS, RD, spoke to MSN News about the importance of staying hydrated over the summer and why it’s so important. Here are some of her tips for staying hydrated.
Never say no to H2O. Start hydrating the night before your workout, then drink 16-24 ounces from when you wake up throughout the hours leading to your workout. Hydrate periodically during exercise, and hydrate after. If you’re working out outside, drink a sports drink at some point during the day. If you’re not sure if you need more water, listen to your body. If your mouth is dry, you’re dizzy, or you just feel thirsty, that’s your body telling you to hydrate.
Diversify your drinks. If you’re the kind of person who gets bored of drinking water and sports drinks, there are tons of ways to switch up your hydration tactics. Try infusing your water with fruits and herbs. Leave a pitcher full of water in the fridge overnight with strawberries, lemon, or mint in it. Seltzer water is a great substitute as well. If you’re looking for a post-workout beverage, dilute your favorite fruit juice with water. All varieties of milk, such as low-fat, almond, or soy, can provide hydration with extra nutrition. ##MN_RESP##
Consume with caution. It’s fine to hydrate with drinks other than water. In fact, it’s recommended if you’re going to be exercising outside for over an hour. Gatorade is great for providing your body with the sodium it needs after an intense outdoor workout. But when it comes to varying your fluid intake, steer away from added sugars or calories. Coconut water and other fruit-based waters can have higher levels of other nutrients but could have added sugars. The lower sugar, the better.
The most important thing is to stay hydrated, so you can go on as many outdoor explorations as you want. No matter how you do it, make sure you drink enough to stay safe!
What fun activities do you need to stay hydrated for this summer?
