The Hydration Equation

We know it's important to stay hydrated when we're working out. It's critical, especially if you're out under the hot sun. What you may not know is that drinking too much water can also be bad for you. For years, we've been told that dehydration is dangerous, and it's true. If you don't drink enough water while you're outside working up a sweat, you may end up in the emergency room. Many people don't know that it's also dangerous to drink too much water. In fact, Scottsdale Personal Trainers say it's common to drink too much water, since we think it will protect us from dehydration. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition called hyponatremia, which means that your sodium (salt) levels are too low. That's because you lose sodium through the sweat you're working up, and all the water you're drinking dilutes the sodium in your bloodstream. Common symptoms of low sodium levels include a foggy head, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, seizures, fainting, and in severe cases, death. So how much water should you be drinking? Scottsdale Personal Trainers say you have to strike a balance. You want to get enough water so your body won't get dehydrated, and not so much that you dilute your sodium levels. According to experts, the magic number to shoot for is no more than 8 ounces every 20 minutes. That's 24 ounces every hour. A good indicator of whether or not you're properly hydrated is the color of your urine. If it's too yellow, you're likely dehydrated. It should be close to clear when your body has enough water. So get out there, have fun, and work up a good sweat. And make sure to drink the right amount of water to keep your body healthy and happy! Read more articles by Scottsdale Personal Trainers here.