Ever start to feel dizzy or lightheaded during a workout? Or, do you ever feel like you don’t have enough energy to do your best in a big game or competition? If so, these might be caused by dehydration.
Dehydration can hinder both performance and recovery so hydration should be a top priority before, during, and after exercising. Not only that, dehydration can lead to serious complications if untreated, especially in the heat. Today, we break down how to recognize dehydration and help you understand when and what to drink before, during, and after exercise to avoid dehydration and achieve optimal performance and recovery. Because who doesn’t want to feel their best while exercising?
What is dehydration?
Dehydration during exercise occurs when the fluid we lose from sweat is greater than the fluid we consume. Dehydration can occur if you lose even 3% of your body weight from water depletion. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you plan to work out, and not wait until you feel thirsty to consume fluid.
Dehydration normally occurs before you even realize your symptoms. But, if you experience any of the following after exercising, it likely means you need to be drinking more fluids.
- Dry mouth and tongue
- Thirst
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Dry skin
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness
How to adequately hydrate before and during exercise?
The good news is, if you properly hydrate before, during, and after exercise, you can avoid dehydration. Here are some tips and tricks on how to stay hydrated:
- Hydrate 2-3 hours before exercise with 17-20oz of water
- Top off hydration and electrolytes an hour before a sporting event or long workout with 7-10oz of an electrolyte drink – like CF(Rehydrate)
- Consume 7-10oz of fluid every 15 mins during exercise
- If you exercise for longer than 90 minutes, electrolyte replacement becomes crucial, consume CF(Rehydrate) to replace the electrolytes lost during exercise
How do I hydrate after exercising?
Replenishing lost fluid and electrolytes is a crucial component of recovery and especially critical in the 90 minutes after exercise. CF(Rehydrate) is the best product out there to adequately replenish fluid and electrolytes. It has everything your body needs, and nothing it doesn’t.
But why isn’t water enough? When you exercise, especially for a long period, replacing the potassium and sodium you lose through sweat is essential. Potassium losses through normal bodily functions, like sweating, must be replaced by the foods and beverages we consume. Considering potassium’s important role in maintaining cell water balance, it is a good idea to combine water and potassium (and sodium) to maintain a sustainable environment for our cells. CF(Rehydrate)® provides a concentrated source of sodium and potassium with filtered water to take the guesswork out of hydration. Now that you know CF(Rehydrate) is the superior way to hydrate, replace electrolytes, and avoid dehydration, what are you waiting for? Shop CF(Rehydrate) here! And don’t forget, if you subscribe, you save!