Busting the Diet Stigma Part 4: Why Hydration Matters

This is part 4 of a series of blogs that will help bust the Diet stigma and change the way you think about nutrition as a whole.

Hydration. You are probably super sick of hearing about drinking water and how important it is. I hear you. However, I challenge you to name 13 real, scientific reasons to drink up. That is my goal today; to give you 13 reasons that aren't "it's important". I want you to walk away from this blog post thinking differently about plain, boring water. I will do my best to keep it short and to the point for you too.

When you are in the first few weeks of postpartum hydration is crucial.

It helps hormone regulation, which is a really hard change after having a baby. It also helps regulate body temperature while the changes are occurring.
If you breastfeed it will help your supply immensely.
It can help save your pelvic floor because pooping will be easier. If you have to strain, then there is a lot of pressure on your pelvic floor.
It helps you energize and sleep better while you have a newborn. Big wins!

If you are not newly Postpartum, it is still extremely important.

Your body is made up of a little more than half water. This means that if you are not drinking enough water, your body is not at equilibrium or in a state of balance. When your body is at equilibrium, it can function optimally.
Your body tries very hard to function at an optimal level and it wants to do so with as little effort as possible. If you are even a little dehydrated, then your body will still try and function at an optimal level, but it will require a lot more effort.
It will also take a lot more effort to accomplish your sweat session. You might feel heavy, sluggish, or weaker when dehydrated. It also creates a higher chance you will injure yourself.
If sex is painful, you might not be lubricated completely. There are other reasons associated with your pelvic floor as well, but this is an easy solution to try and start with. Drink more water, and see if the pain decreases or disappears.
Digestion is more productive and nutrients move through the body better. Proper hydration helps the blood move more smoothly through your body and thus it is easier for your body to transport the nutrients. Digestion itself is also more productive because it has the lubrication and water it needs to help break down food properly. This also means bowel movements are easier.
Yes, pooping is easier. This is an extra bonus if you have a tight pelvic floor, prolapse, or other postpartum symptoms that might be made worse by constipation.
Recovery is easier and less painful. Oftentimes, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), will be lessened if you are properly hydrating prior to, during, and after a good workout. Sometimes, the soreness is worse when you have to overcome dehydration and do not have the water required to replenish the cells in your muscles.
You can actually get a better night's sleep. Sometimes, dehydration will cause disruptions to your cycle and difficulty sleeping.
Lastly, when you are sick, it helps mucus drain from your head and not get stuck and lead to something worse. It will help white blood cells fight the illness and your body will heal quicker.

So please make sure you are drinking plenty of water and eating water-rich foods. You want your urine to be a pale yellow. Don't worry so much about how much exactly, it will depend day today and based on workouts, food choices, etc. Pay attention to bowel movements, urine color, and thirst.

This is part 4 of a 5 part series "Busting the Diet Stigma". Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks.

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Jen@momsfitlife.com

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