What is the most important component to any diet or workout program?

There’s one component to any diet or workout program that you don’t want to neglect. I would even argue it is the most important component. It’s so critical, it may even be the magical solution for you.

 

Drink water!

 

Want to lose weight? Drink Water.

Want to gain muscle? Drink Water.

Want to detox? Drink Water.

Want more energy? Drink Water.

Want to improve mobility and decrease your risk of injury? Drink Water.

Want to improve the appearance of your skin? Drink Water.

Get the point?

 

It sounds simple but I cannot tell you how many people I come across who struggle with this task. But still, after 10 years in the fitness/health business, I have yet to hear a good, valid excuse as to why they neglect to drink water.

 

For some you may be thinking, “OK sure Mike I know I need to drink more, but how much water should I be drinking?”

Many sources indicate 8 glasses of 8 ounces a day, or 64 ounces. However, there are many factors that affect how much water one should consume. Age, weight, amount and level of physical activity, climate and diet can all play an added factor in the hydration equation.

 

There’s a free, easy, accurate way to assess how much is enough for you, and the best part is you already own it! Your body has a built in hydration detector. Check your urine. If it is pale yellow or even colorless, that’s usually a good sign. If it is orange or darker yellow, drink up.

 

Every cell, tissue and organ in your body is made up of mostly water and needs it to function properly. Losing as little as 1-2% of your bodies water can decrease brain function and impair physical performance.  Here are some interesting properties of water:

 

-Regulates internal body temperature.

-Macronutrients are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream

-Assists in flushing waste and detoxification.

-Lubricates joints.

-Carries oxygen and nutrients to cells.

 

And just to be clear, when I say drink water, I mean water. Not tea, not coffee, not lemonade, not sparking water or club soda but straight up H2O.

 

And if you’re concerned about running to the bathroom all the time, don’t be. Unless you have a medical condition with your elimination systems, once your body is used to being hydrated it will balance itself out and you won’t be running to the bathroom “all the time”.

 

I promise you once you experience what being hydrated feels like, those seemingly annoying trips to the bathroom will decrease and for some of you, it may even change your life.

 

Cheers…..Drink up!