Hydrating your body before a workout is imperative because it helps sustain your endurance and muscle power. If you have ever completed a full-out sweat session when your body is dehydrated, then you understand that it does not do the body good (at all). Your equilibrium is off track as your mind and body tirelessly struggle to keep up. Several studies suggest you should drink approximately 20 ounces of H2O two hours prior to your workout, eight ounces during the warm-up phase as well as every 10-20 minutes throughout your workout’s entirety.
Many of us make the mistake of drinking carbonated beverages or sports drinks filled with sugar before we hit the gym. Take our advice and a look at the three drinks you should never drink before a workout sesh.
Sugary fruit drinks such as Capri Suns are loaded with a large amount of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). These are considered one of the worst drinks to gulp down right before an intense workout. In case you are wondering, HFCS is considered to be a “manmade sweetener that has been shown to initiate liver dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.” If you are in need of something sugary, savory, and sweet, just add a few citrus fruits, berries, or mint into your water and drink up!
Contrary to popular belief, sports and energy drinks such as Powerade and Gatorade contain tons of sugar and very little nutrition. According to Angela Onsgard, R.D., resident nutritionist at Miravel Resort & Spa, “it can wreak havoc on your hormonal system and is a strain for your body to process, on top of the repairing requirements that follow a workout,” she said. As an alternative try to drink tomato juice because it is comprised of natural sugars and potassium.
Last but not least this should go without saying but downing alcohol a few hours (even if a small amount) is a big no-no! Alcohol consumption has a variety of negative effects including dehydration, inflammation, and poor decision making.
Picture this; you are in the gym being macho man because the liquid courage has skyrocketed your confidence to astronomical levels. Instead of lifting the usual 10 pounds your body is accustomed to you decide to up your weight game to 30 pounds or more. The result could lead to a temporary or permanent life-altering injury.
With these tips you are one step closer to achieving the summer #bodygoals you have long desired. Go ahead girl and get your workout on!
