Water Re-Visited

Aware of how good my body feels ever since the climb on Sunday, I'm asking questions.  First of all, how can this be?  On a regular basis, simply going through my every day life, one thing or another will tend to be bothersome.  Perhaps one day it's the lower back, then up pops a little snag in the knee, or one day I'm unable to reach back to put my arm in my sleeve because of pain in my shoulder and upper arm. 

Yet I climb 80 flights of stairs and feel fantastic for three days!

What's going on? 

Jesse did explain about the "high" one experiences after the climb, and that it can last all the next day too.  But I'm past 72 hours since the event and everything is still feeling better, all over, than I've felt in years.

Reaching for my water bottle next to the computer, I may have found one answer.  Could it be all the water?  As I recorded earlier in the blog entitled, "Water--It Does the Body Good," I've been consciously drinking a lot of water.  Then last Thursday I started drinking it constantly...all day and evening long.
I googled "Water--It Does the Body Good" and discovered I certainly wasn't the first one to dream up that title!  Some of the information is really staggering...in a good way! 

Statistics and research regarding water: 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. 

1.   In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
2.   Even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 3%.
3.   One glass of water eliminated midnight hunger for 98% of the dieters studied in a University of
         Washington Study.
4.   Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
5.   Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and
          joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
6.   A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and
         difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
7.   Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 75%, plus it can slash the
        risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
                                                                                                                  (from chiropractictruth.com)

How much water do we need?  Technically, each body requires a different amount, depending on activity levels and other factors.  Generally, the old standard recommendation was 64 ounces per day for an adult.  The Mayo Clinic suggests an increased daily recommendation.

Men need roughly: 3.0 liters per day

Women need roughly: 2.2 liters per day

More fantastic facts:

Adequate water consumption can help lessen the chance of kidney stones, keep joints lubricated, prevent and lessen the severity of colds and flu and help prevent constipation.

Water...can help aid in weight loss.

It helps our bodies release fat and can help reduce our appetite.
Water also clears toxins from our bodies. We live in a chemical world where we are constantly bombarded with potentially harmful substances.Water helps to dilute these chemicals so they are not as concentrated in our bodies and flushes them out of our system.                        (from lovebottle.net)

Water helps regulate body temperature, moistens tissues and muscles, lubricates muscles and joints...carries nutrients and oxygen to cells and other body parts as well as acting as a solvent to break down vitamins and minerals absorbed into the body. Without water, blood is very thick and causes the heart to work harder when it pumps. Water thins the blood which helps to prevent putting strain on the heart and the entire body.                                                                 (from www.army.mil)

I've heard enough.  
...again, in a good way!


Tomorrow, the other answer.

This time last year -- in San Diego.

Today's Workout

1 hr. personal training session--run, walk, spin, run, walk spin...