We all know that drinking enough water is key to good health and fitness, but did you know that without proper hydration the body’s metabolism actually SLOWS DOWN, causing us to burn fewer calories? This excerpt from The Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno sums up the problem nicely: “…even the least amount of dehydration slows metabolism and bodily function. ‘Without enough water, organs can’t function as efficiently, so your metabolism slows to conserve energy,’ states Molly Kimball, a registered dietician at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation.” Holy cats! This is something we definitely want to avoid. The good news is that getting enough water is entirely within our control.
But how do we know if we are drinking enough?
A general rule states that to maintain proper hydration we should consume about 96 ounces of water each day, often stated as 12 8-oz glasses. According to Dr. Philip Goglia, however, 96 ounces may not be enough and a more individualized approach may be warranted. Dr. Goglia suggests that we should consume 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. I don’t know about you, but the Fitness Commander certainly weighs more than 96 pounds… It also bears repeating that external factors can directly and dramatically increase our need for water. Any time the temperature rises, any time we engage in physical activity, or any time we are at a higher altitude, our body’s need for water will be heightened.
How can you tell if your hydration is adequate? If you are thirsty, the answer is a resounding “No!” That said, relying on your thirst mechanism alone is inadvisable, as we are likely dehydrated long before we get the urge to drink. A better, if somewhat unpleasant, guide is the color of your urine. If it is clear or pale, you are adequately hydrated. The darker the urine, the more dehydrated you are.
Drink up folks, and keep that metabolism revving. That’s an order!
