Hydration is the most important thing and even more if you are exercising regularly.
One of the things I found out the hard way was that you should hydrate before and after workout because, and trust me when I say this, dehydration is not a pleasant thing to experience.
So after my unfortunate mistake I have come up with ways I can make my water more interesting and tasty and stay on top of my game. One thing I do when I workout is I take small sips of water throughout the workout , instead of of one big load that will only make it hard for you to bounce on the treadmill. Listen to your body and when it tells you it is thirsty stop whatever you are doing and go take a sip, believe me it is important because if you ignore that call your general performance will drop significantly and you risk getting dehydrated.
Of course first thing's first, Lets start with flushing detox.
The perfect time for this in early in the morning, straight after you wake up. Take a big( yes, a big) glass of water and add one lemon. Wait a little bit. I usually prepare my breakfast while the lemon kicks in. Then I energise with some protein rich breakfast and only after this little ritual it is Okay to have coffee. You do not want to upset your tummy by having caffeine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
I have done this and well sickness is not pleasant too.
If you do not like the taste of your lemon water you can add some honey or a spice that you like for that tasty twist you so desire.
Rosemary, Mint, maybe basil or a cucumber for some fresh taste. Whatever you prefer, of course experimentation is necessary in order to find what suits your taste buds. I think I do not mind the clean lemon water anymore, it kind of grow on you, especially if you know it is doing you some pretty good favours.
If you are finding hard to hydrate during the day maybe you can consider an infused water. You know kind of like juice but healthier. And you can have so much fun with it too. You can mix pretty much whatever you want. It gives a subtle taste to your water and hopefully will make it more desirable for you.
I have read in so many articles that a three litres of water are essential, but I find this a bit silly as you will probably spend your day in the toilet . For me the correct amount depends on your body weight and height and how you generally feel. Our bodies are so clever, they do find ways of letting us know what they need. Just pay attention to your own body and never ignore it.
Yep, even if you want some junk food, allow yourself a cheat meal once in a while.
Heres an example of a simple "recipe" if I may say, for a detox water. If you are on a hurry just add everything in your "to go" bottle and its ready for you to consume on your way to work or whatever you are heading.
You will notice though that Lemon, cucumber and mint are the usual suspects and then everything else is an extra you can play with.
Another way of hydrating and getting nutrients is with smoothies.
One of my favourite ones that I use to make like crazy has as a main ingredients:
Spirulina.
Spirulina: the seaweed super food
Spirulina is one of the oldest life forms on Earth. In fact, this blue-green microalgae is partly responsible for producing the oxygen in the planet's atmosphere that billions of years ago allowed the planet's originating life forms to develop. Spirulina is the world's first superfood, and one of the most nutrient-rich foods on Earth.
Spirulina has between 55 and 70% protein (more than beef, chicken, and soybeans), 8 essential and 10 non-essential amino acids, as well as high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), beta-carotene, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, vitamin B12, iron, calcium, phosphorus, nucleic acids RNA & DNA, chlorophyll, and phycocyanin, a pigment-protein complex that is found only in blue-green algae.
Why is it good to have it once in a while
Spirulina provides a wide range of health benefits almost immediately upon ingestion. It provides a near-instantaneous boost to one's energy, while helping to improve endurance and reduce fatigue. It helps improve the immune system, and provides exceptional support for the heart, liver, and kidneys. Spirulina is also a natural detoxifier, oxygenating the blood, and helping cleanse the body of toxins and other impurities that may be causing illnesses or other health complications.
Spirulina is also a natural appetite suppressant, and it helps to improve the body's digestive system. It also has very powerful antioxidant properties and it helps to balance the body's pH, thereby reducing inflammation throughout the body in a safe and chemical-free way.
Note: Because of its high protein your body will need extra water to help it absorb the green super food.
Or you can just not take it every day but once in a while. If you do take it every day you can just measure small doses or drink extra water.
I certainly don't drink it religiously every morning, sometimes I am in a mood for it other times i am not. Again listen to your body. If you are in a mood for something super healthy and boosting Spirulina is a good choice.
Here is the recipe for that Spirulina kick ass smoothie:
- The water from a young fresh coconut (or half a glass of coconut water)
- Half a glass Goat or Almond milk
- 1 Tablespoon Acai powder
- 1 Tablespoon Goji Berries
- 1 Tablespoon Spirulina
- 1 Tablespoon Raw Cacao powder
- 1 Tablespoon Maca Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
- 1 Tablespoon Raw Vegan Protein Powder
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and enjoy.
Other super food powders you can experiment with and mix in your smoothies breakfast bowls :
