You probably grew up hearing that you had to drink 8 glasses of water a day. But what about when you factor in perspiration from exercise? And how much should you be drinking while you exercise? With proper tracking and choices of beverage, you can make sure to avoid being dehydrated.

A problem many people have is confusing energy drinks and sports drinks. While energy drinks can give you an extra boost before your workout, they can also dehydrate you. Sports drinks, though they can contain a lot of sugar, rehydrate you and give you electrolytes. Another huge mistake people make is not drinking water during or after exercise. 

In general, try to stick to water rather than sugary sports drinks. If you do choose sports drinks, as they can be a good way to replenish electrolytes, make sure to read the nutrition facts. They are often very high in carbs and sugars, as well as sodium. Make sure you are drinking water throughout the day, and never go into a workout feeling parched. On rest days, the 8 glasses a day rule is a good guideline, but on work days you make drink a gallon or more.

Make Sure to drink water before, during, and after exercise. The AAFP recommend drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water two or three hours before a workout. They also say to drink 10 ounces every 20 minutes during your workout. This will keep your body energized and help avoid muscle cramps or even more severe problems. Keep your body healthy and hydrated!

Do you drink enough water? Make sure to like, share, and subscribe to the blog. What would you like to see me write about next? Let me know in the comments down below, and thanks for reading!