I Drink Enough Water...
Image from Unsplash
No you don't.
Since the dawn of time, water has been required to sustain life. Our body can only live without water for 4-10 days. Our muscle tissue…75% water. Have you ever gotten so irritated trying to sneak around the house at 2:00am and a door starts squeaking and blows your cover? The joints probably need some WD40. You know, the water of the door hinge world. We can think of our muscles the same way. Without proper lubrication, our muscles are slow and squeaky.
Our training app decided to update itself and put ‘homework’ into all of our members' training programs. Now, when you open our app, it has a function to ‘track water’. We did not do this, as we try to pick and choose how to annoy you about your health and wellness. However, this update has prompted a few conversations, so I guess score one for automated, unwanted technological updates.
Alright, so why is water important? Please refer to the top line. Our muscles are 75% water. Not to mention the rest of our body besides our muscle tissue requires water as well.
“I’m not feeling too great today. My head feels a little fuzzy.”
-Well Fuzzy Wuzzy, have you had any water today?
“Umm..I had coffee.”
Starting from the top, down. The brain. The control center of the entire body. If no water, brain no work. Water is necessary for neurons to maintain their structure and function effectively. In other terms, water essentially creates our ability to process information and tell the rest of our body what to do.
As water also transports oxygen in and out of the brain, it helps us to maintain regular functions such as thinking and remembering things.
I am not trying to lecture on the importance of water. I think we all know we need water to sustain life. However, sometimes the simplest things can be overlooked.
Ok, so we don’t have to go through every organ in the body and explain how important water is. Here is an abridged list. We will get to the blog part after.
Heart - Regulates blood pressure, makes it easier for the heart to beat
Lungs - Helps regulate oxygen absorption and aids in removal of carbon dioxide
Toe - Water aids in mineral transport to bones - Creating/maintaining healthy bone structure
“But, I don’t like the taste of water.” Is it because it generally doesn’t have a taste? Unless you buy Dasani and it makes an odd fizzing noise when you open it. Is it soda?”
Water generally has no taste unless other minerals are added. It is true you can get water from other sources - Seltzer, coffee (a little), fruit juices and what have you. But too much of each of those can come with its own set of issues. Carbonation can sometimes cause GI distress, bloating, excessive burping. Coffee is a diuretic. It will make you pee and if you are not replacing that loss with water - - - - Dehydration. Fruit juices, although sometimes yummy, can be highly acidic and filled with sugar.
So just drink the tasteless water. What is the worst that can happen if you drink water? You will have to pee a lot. I mean, definitely don’t overcorrect and drink TOO MUCH. Hyponatremia (lower than normal level of sodium in the bloodstream) is a thing too.
Water has finally become socially acceptable. Look at everyone walking around with the gigantic Stanleys, Yeti’s, Hydroflasks and whatever else is making comically large water retaining vessels. They may look ridiculous as they are the size of a person's femur, but at least they are aiding in proper and adequate hydration.
Hell, if you don’t have the patience to drink a few water bottles all day. Make it a college drinking game. Wake up, chug a glass of water then do it again when someone says a specific word of the day. I had a ‘banana.’ “OHHH, SMITTY SAID BANANA!! I HAVE TO CHUG A GLASS OF WATER NOW, WOO WOO WOO WOO!”
Just drink water for me. Drink water for you. Drink water for your loved ones. If you are hungry, grab a snickers, AND a water. You are not you when you are hungry….or thirsty.
If you are curious about how much water to drink for your level of activity or interested in changing your fitness routine, reach out to our experienced staff of coaches.
