Dehydration can make all the difference when it comes to having mediocre or impressive workouts.
If you are dehydrated, you can take easily 12 hours to get back to normal and feeling good again. This is a dangerous situation in this weather and would definitely explain poor workouts in this weather.
Being low on energy is different, you can make energy up with a fast acting carbohydrate in 10 minutes, and you will therefore be able to perform and feel better in a very short period of time.
Spotting dehydration is not always easy but there a few reliable indicators.
If you’re really thirsty, then dehydration has started and you need immediate fluids to feel yourself again, this doesnt mean though that you will be able to perform well straight away, as i said, dehydration can take a while to come back from.
You will see today from the tv at wimbledon that the players are regularly sipping water, especially in the predicted 100 degree heat of course. Dehydration on a day like this can definitely make the difference between winning and losing, and in severe cases cause an athlete to collapse.
Tea and coffee in moderation is fine, but you have to remember they will act as a diuretic too, which will actually take water from your body, meaning if you drink too much tea and coffee, your performance will dip sharply if not rectified with plenty of water.
So if the athletes take all of this so seriously, then so should you. If you can remember these simple rules on training days, then you will feel so much better and the hot and humid days will definitely seem less of a drag.
I know i feel better when i have a bottle of water on the go, and you don’t need the sports drinks either, unless your activity is lasting more than 60 continuous minutes. Sports drinks tend to be loaded with sugar and are often unnecessary for most workouts, don’t believe the hype on them and save your money.
Bottom line, stay hydrated and perform at your best!
