Tips for Good Winter Health
It’s frigid out, and the last thing you want is a cold glass of water. But you still need to hydrate.
“Sometimes people forget to hydrate in the winter because it’s cold and they don’t sweat as much or they don’t perceive that they sweat as much,” Stovall says. “But I try to stick with drinking at least 100 ounces a day.”
Jenny DeMarco, a personal trainer and nutrition coach who lugs around a gallon jug of water wherever she goes, says she drinks up to two gallons of water each day and eats lots of fruits and vegetables that have a high water content.
She also drinks freshly squeezed lemon juice with warm water in the morning and takes magnesium at night. “Lemons have a very concentrated amount of Vitamin C that your body can absorb effectively in warm water.” Vitamin C has been shown to have benefits for skin, bones, tissues and more, and some studies have shown that it can lessen the duration of colds. Magnesium affects muscle and nerve function and energy production.
Staying well hydrated is part of overall health — not just cold and flu prevention.
DeMarco says that along with hydration, food preparation and planning become extra important during the holiday season, with all of its parties and their less-than-stellar nutritional offerings.
“Sticking with good habits even during the holidays makes you feel really good,” says DeMarco, who usually eats six small meals a day. “Yes, it can be challenging to ‘be good,’ but it’s worth it.”
Boston is a fitness trainer and freelance writer. She can be found atwww.gabriellaboston.com.
Happy Holiday’s and Drink up! (Water that is)
