Hey Trippers,
I have six important and effective tenets of good health. The rules are in no particular order. I guarantee if you do all six of these rules, you will not only be healthy but will also be built for the future. You can pick and choose from the rules but you’ll find you won’t be at your optimum. Do all six and in a matter of a few months you’ll be ready and in shape for meaningful travel.
Now, that we have you eating a good breakfast, eating regularly, and not eating three hours before you go to sleep, I want your body’s metabolism to work at its optimum performance. An important factor is Fitness and Health Tenet #5 :
Drink plenty of fluids
Drink plenty of fluids
Using (or overusing) the body as a machine metaphor, if food is the fuel, then fluids are the oil. The fluids keep everything working together, aiding digestion, eliminating toxins, giving you temporary feeling of fullness, and assisting in cooling or heating your body.
Water is best fit for this job. It doesn’t have to be expensive spring water in plastic bottle, it can be tap water. Make sure your local water source is regularly tested for toxins. Often bottled drinking water actually has fewer minerals because they are removed during purification.
A recent University of Nebraska study has show that you don’t need to stick to water to hydrate; you can use any fluid including coffee, tea, juices, beer, and wine. The last three have unnecessary calories and you need to consider this. Another recent study has shown that you do not have to use 8 eight-ounce glasses of water as a goal either. However keeping hydrated at all times is important. Once you are thirsty you too far into dehydration. Your body’s functions start to work on rescue rather then keeping everything running smoothly. You should focus on regular liquid intake.
One type of beverage that you should avoid at all costs is one with artificial sweetener. Beverages with artificial sweeteners (so-called diet drinks) have been shown to INCREASE your food cravings – NOT curb them as we all thought they were doing. Article HERE. This has to do with the ACID/ALKALINE balance in your body. I will go into this in detail on a future post. Meanwhile, here’s a good explanation that’s easy to understand.
I was on the “Diet Soda Bandwagon” years ago. Once I got off it, my weight began to stabilize. If you need more proof of the “diet drinks make you fat”, do a web search. There’s lots of research out there that’s legitimate. As in the previous post discussing eating regularly to keep your appetite at bay, drinking a diet beverage will increase your craving. Why have you body fight that battle?
So, beside water, what else should you consider drinking?
Besides diet drinks, what should you not drink? Don’t drink sugary sodas, anything sweetened with HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, and fruit juices sweetened with apple, grape, or pear juice. They all have too many calories and screw around with your blood sugar. While traveling, if you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, these drinks can hydrate you in a pinch. Plan ahead and carry water with you. If you run out, save your container and fill it from a reliable potable water source.
Q: How do I remind myself to drink enough fluids?
A: At home and work keep fluid containers at arms length. In public areas, you can fill attractive water containers with water and place them on end tables, dining table, counters, desks, work space, toilet tank, night stands, etc. Just the sight of them will remind you to hydrate. In your car, keep water bottles in front cup holders, secured in storage areas, and back seat. While traveling, always carry a bottle in your backpack, shoulder bag, or coat pocket.
You can do it! Are you still with me? The next post is Fitness Tenet #6 and final one. And you’ll have all the knowledge you need for a fit & healthy life. Just focus – because you’re worth it!
Happy Tripping,
Carter
