Working out is a practice you’ve heard about day-in-day-out, with health experts encouraging the habit. As a result, you decided to join the lifestyle even as you aim to maintain body fitness. However, a few weeks in, you feel working out isn’t the right fit. Why?
It’s likely the case if you experience extreme fatigue or get headaches as you exercise. No one wants to feel this, especially daily or several times a week. One of the reasons you might be having such side effects is dehydration. It’s something you should consider changing before quitting.
The secret is to take drinks before, during, and after workouts. During workouts? It’s a question you might ask since you might wonder if doing so affects your workouts. Well, there’s no wrong in taking drinks during a workout. However, you must do it right by taking the right drinks and in the right portions.
What should you drink during a workout?
Here’s a guide:
Plain Water
Working out results in sweating, which is your body losing water. Therefore, you must replace it by taking water. It’s said to be the number one solution to dehydration.
It replenishes your body and ensures you have the right amount of liquid for it to function. After all, it’s said that half your blood contains water, and your body requires blood.
Be sure to take the water every 15 minutes, and ensure you don’t gulp it down; sip it. Invest in a water bottle with straw to better control your intake.
Flavored Water
Flavored water is an alternative to plain water, especially if you don’t like the taste of plain water. It has different fruit flavors, from strawberry to mango to apple to orange. Your choice here is dependent on preference.
With such an assortment, you’ll have enough motivation to take those sips and hydrate your body. However, avoid those with artificial sweeteners and sugar.
Infused Water
It’s the other alternative to plain water and is also an ideal choice if you’re into a healthy diet. Here, you’ll take plain water and add slices of your favorite fruit. These fruits could be lemon, strawberry, or apple. You can even add vegetables like mint and cucumber.
Consider preparing this drink at night for the best results if you’re heading for a workout the next morning. It’ll give the water time to absorb the flavor from the fruits for a richer taste. Consider refrigerating the drink if you prefer it chilled.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is another alternative you can try. Besides helping with hydration, coconut water also helps replenish the electrolytes in your body.
Thus, electrolytes aid in rebuilding damaged tissue and regulating muscle function. This component is also lost while working out, and it’s also essential.
You can get store-bought coconut water or can make your own. How?
You only need water and coconut. Break your coconut and scoop out the meat. Add this to your blender with a considerable amount of water, depending on the size of the coconut meat. The amount of water also depends on the concentration you require with your water.
Add this to your water bottle and proceed to your workout.
Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are like your soft drink, but they have several benefits. These drinks are full of electrolytes and sugar to maintain and increase your energy levels.
Due to the strain, you might experience as you work out, your energy levels will likely go down, making you lose morale. It’s something you don’t want in your workout journey.
It’s best to sip sports drinks to keep up the momentum. Where do you source sports drinks?
You’ll find these drinks at your local home store or health store. As you purchase, you must know there are three types of sports drinks; isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic,
An isotonic sports drink has electrolytes, fluid, and sugar ranging from 4 to 8%. It’s best for fluid replacement and energy supply. The hypotonic drink has fluid, lower levels of electrolytes, and approximately 4% sugar. Choose this for faster fluid replacement.
Lastly, the hypertonic sports drink has electrolytes, fluid, and sugar levels as high as 10%. This drink is ideal for adding to your glucagon levels.
When working out, it’s best to stick to isotonic and hypotonic drinks, especially due to their low sugar levels. Drink a hypertonic sports drink after working out, as you also replenish yourself with food.
Conclusion
A workout should bring positivity to your body and not side effects. The read has established one of the side effects of working out is dehydration if you don’t take enough fluids. It has also given a list of the best drinks to take during your workout. Be sure to choose your favorite among the options to make your workouts enjoyable and worth looking forward to.
