Sip n' Sweat

The islands have been quite hot and humid the last several weeks. Walking outside is like a constant battle against a wall of humidity. My hair frizzes out, or is just completely flat, sweat drips down my back (and I'm sure for everyone else too), and the windows in air conditioned businesses start sweating. Humidity has been at 100 percent for I don't even know how long now. Now, we hear that this weather will continue into our Hawaiʻi "Winter." Shoot. I'm hoping for some cooler waters and some northern winds.

All this heat and water loss has lead me to think about hydration and dehydration. Our bodies need to be replenished with water and vitamins, electrolytes etc., especially with all this sweat! Often times you won't know if you're dehydrated, but a good sign is when you're thirsty, this is sign of mild dehydration. Weird, right? But, keep in mind that thirst is not a complete accurate way to diagnose your self with dehydration. If you use the bathroom and the color is well, dark yellow or amber, you're dehydrated.

Beautiful West Side - green and lush.
Photo: Instagram: EpicAdventureHI 

A few other signs, you might be lightheaded, dizzy, haven't used the bathroom in a long time, or even a dry mouth. Mild dehydration may not be require you to head to the doctors, but in some cases if you don't address the situation, you may have to do just that. Read EveryDayHealth.com's article on dehydration to get more information.

Don't let this sway you from having a good time outside, inside or where ever. Just be prepared, stay hydrated and enjoy the final days of summer.

Effects of Alcohol on the body

So, I was going to do a post about the worst side dishes you can come across, but then my eyes landed on an article posted by Women's Health explaining the side effects of alcohol on the body. I am a frequent reader of Women's Health and subscriber, it's a great magazine and provides quick and simple work outs that are fat blasting and fun, not just monotonous. anyway.


Very interesting.

Effect's of alcohol:

1. Slower Recovery :(
Hard workouts definitely drain glycogen, or carbs stored in your liver and muscles, leaving them in repair mode. Drinking after a workout slows the recovery of your body; snack on a peanut butter on whole wheat crackers to get some carbs that repair your muscles in your body before hand.

2. Alcohol and fat: your body ends up having to focus on processing the alcohol. Alcohol also breaks down the amino acids and ends up storing them as fat. Then your body doesn't focus on burning those carbs and fat.

3. Sleep deprivation: (to put it lightly)
More so than in men, women's sleep is disrupted, especially in the second half of the night, according to WomensHealth.com. Women are more likely to wake up and get 30 minutes less sleep than if they didn't consume alcohol. It can stunt the human growth hormone output, which builds muscle up to as much as 70 percent.

4. Depletion of H2O and nutrients: 
ahh yes, stomach lining is irritated by alcohol. Your hangovers signal that your are severely dehydrated. That lining thats annoyed, it decreases the absorption of nutrients. not good. That's why your stomach hurts after you drink too much, plus it makes you use the bathroom, good bye nutrients.