Liquids and Exercise

I have been doing a lot of reading on this matter to find out what is good for our body's to dink and what is not. I of course have my own opinion from my own experience and from what I learned in my certifications. I am going to give you a list from good to bad and most of it will be from reading material but mixed with a little of my own opinion.


1. Water is essential to keeping us fit and healthy. The health benefits for regular water drinkers can't be overstated. There are numerous rewards with two of the main ones being for hydration purposes and health reasons. Our body's are made up of 70% water. It's no wonder that drinking plenty of water is so vital to our well being. Water also improves the way our body functions, the way we feel and the way we look. The natural perks water has to offer include:

*Hydration of internal organs, enabling them to function

*Hydration of skin, keeping it looking fresh and healthy

*Weight control

*Increased energy

*Preventing a variety of ailments and keeping the immune system healthy

*Regulating body temperature

*Flushing out waste and toxins

*Maintaining overall health



You should always drink water during your exercise routine and then always remember to drink at least 16 fl oz. within an hour after your workout. This helps with flushing the lactic acid out of your muscles so in turn you won't hurt as much the next day from your workout.



Best of all, water has no calories!! You can eat more healthy foods if you don't fill up on liquid calories. That's a good bonus.



2. Low fat milk is next best. It is a good source of vitamins, calcium and protein. A high milk intake is associated with strong bones and is recommended for kids and older women. If you don't like milk make sure you take a calcium supplement each day to reach the amount of intake you need. Stay away from high fat milks. They have a lot of calories and saturated fats that can be linked to heart disease.



3. Fruit Juices are very high in sugars and calories. They do have some nutritional value but you are better off eating the fruit itself. Vegetable juices are better for you and lower in calories but once again your better of eating the veggies and drinking water with them.



4. Then there is alcohol; and whether it is bad for you depends upon what you are drinking and how much. Small to moderate amounts seems to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. But in large amounts it can cause serious diseases such as cancer and cirrhosis. Watch out for the high calories and sugars that can be in alcohol as well.



5. Last is soft drinks. They are sweetened by high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners that can cause many problems; dental caries, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Sports drinks are also on this list. They all have high calories, fizz (carbonation) or both. Carbonation is absorbed into your blood stream and it takes your body 24 hours to produce the waste of a 16 oz drink. Your body cannot function properly if CO2 is in your system. You will have less energy to get you through your day and especially your workout.



So our best option is Water. I am not saying to drop all the rest but from a fitness stand point nothing else really helps you lose weight. So why counteract your workout by drinking a lot of calories, carbonation and not having the energy you need throughout the day?