“Drink more Water!”, says everyone. But why?!
We’ve all heard it: “Drink more water!” It’s one of the simplest pieces of advice for improving your health and fitness. But have you ever wondered why staying hydrated is so important? And what happens when you don’t get enough water, and how it impacts not just your fitness but also your health.
Top 3 Benefits of Drinking More Water (Besides Muscle Building and Fat Burning)
- Improved Energy: Water helps your body get all the nutrients and oxygen it needs and that will not just improve energy but help your body work better.
- Better Digestion: Drinking more water will support a healthy digestive system, reducing bloating and constipation.
- Stop the Cravings: Drinking enough water can help lessen “fake cravings”, your body might just be thirsty!
How Dehydration Impacts Muscle Building
- Reduced Performance: Dehydration will affect how well you show up to a workout. When your muscles don’t have enough water, they get tired faster, and then your performance suffers, which will limit muscle growth over time. If you can’t do the intended workout, you won’t get the intended results.
- Impaired Recovery: Water is essential for flushing out toxins and getting nutrients to muscles after exercise. Without enough hydration, your recovery process slows down, which can get in the way of muscle repair and growth.
- Decreased Protein Synthesis: Protein synthesis (how your body builds muscle) relies on water for good cellular function. Dehydration can affect this process, making it harder to gain muscle.
How Dehydration Impacts Fat Burning
- Slowed Metabolism: Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can slow your metabolism, reducing the rate at which your body burns calories. Read this article by Johns Hopkins University.
- Increased Cravings: Thirst is often mistaken for hunger, leading to overeating instead of hydrating, which can impact fat loss efforts.
- Reduced Fat Oxidation: Water is involved in breaking down fat molecules for energy (a process called lipolysis). Without the right hydration, your body struggles to burn fat efficiently.
Could Dehydration Be Affecting Your Progress- Signs you might need to drink more water
- Fatigue during workouts or daily activities.
- Poor recovery—feeling sore longer than usual.
- Stalled weight loss or difficulty making progress with muscle tone.
Tips for Drinking More Water
Hydration doesn’t have to be complicated—these simple tips can make staying hydrated easier:
- Carry a water bottle with you everywhere: Keep it close so you can sip throughout the day.
- When at a desk, keep it in eyesight: Place your water bottle right beside your screen as a visual reminder to drink.
- Fill it up before bed and drink 8 ounces first thing in the morning: Start your day hydrated, even before getting out of bed.
The Fix:
Staying hydrated supports your body in working efficiently—whether it’s burning fat, building muscle, or simply being at your best for your health. Aim for 1/2 your body weight in water a day, and adjust based on activity level and climate. Also – see your doctor for YOUR specific recommendation.
What Now, when you want to get serious about your health and fitness goals?
✅If you want to lose weight, my 12-week starter program will change your habits for life. I tell you exactly what to do, and you just do it.
✅If you want to feel better, increase confidence, and reduce stress, focus on fitness. Start semi private training, an affordable solution to personal training.
✅If you want overall health and a body that matches, make improvements to both your fitness and nutrition and book a call with us below.
Book a quick call with Coach Jennifer to learn if NHF would be a good fit for you. No gym intimidation because we aren’t just a gym—we’re a coaching facility that has a gym in it. 😊
Click here to book your free intro call!