I am asked all the time how much water people should drink. The problem is that reading on the internet makes you think you need anywhere between 1 L to 6 L of water per day. Some so called experts claim you hardly need any water and get most of the fluid you need from food. Others claim 6 L of water a day.
Dehydration is a real problem, even in North America. People drink things like coffee and pop all day which helps to dehydrate them because of the caffeine and sugar. Even mild dehydration causes an inability to workout as hard, and slows brain function. In other words not drinking water makes you stupid.
But that isn't the only reason to drink water. Drinking enough water helps your body get rid of toxins, lowers risk of cancer and kidney stones, plus it will make your skin better.
Over the course 20 years in the fitness industry I can say that I have tried several different water intakes to see how I perform best and how I feel, best.
My rule of thumb is that you need between 2.5 and 4 L of water per day depending on your size. I'm 220 lbs so I aim to have at least 4 L a day, not counting what I drink when I workout. For people who are smaller cut that amount down.
When it comes to drinking water when you exercise you need to prime your body before you start which means having about .5 L of water a hour before exercising. Then drink .25 L 15 minutes before the start of a workout and drink water throughout the workout as you feel thirsty. After the workout have another .5 L of water.
Try drinking more water and see how it changes you mood, mental clarity and workouts. You won't be disappointed.
Devin Sherrington is seven time Best Personal Fitness Trainer Halifax award winner, and owner the award winning fitness studio 360fit in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. www.360online.ca He lives in Fletchers Lake with his children Reign and Journey.
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