Good, Good, Good, Good Hydration!

Sing it to the tune of Good Vibrations!  Are you drinking enough water?  Probably not . . . 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

Some Interesting Facts about Dehydration:

• Even mild dehydration will slow your metabolism by as much as 3%.
• One glass of water made midnight hunger pangs cease for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
• Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.
• Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
• 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.
• Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, breast cancer by 79%, and bladder cancer by 50%. 
  

Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?  I know we haven’t been. I’ve been waking up in the morning with my mouth all dry and my skin is so parched it makes me think of the old Lubriderm, “See you later, Alligator” commercial.  My husband likes to drink everything but water, and our eighteen month old throws sippy cups of water on the floor and demands juice or soda instead.

So this week, we are recommitting ourselves to getting and staying hydrated!  We challenge you to do the same!

What we’ll be drinking:

• Water, Water, and More Water!
• We’re shooting for five 16.9 ounce bottles each day!

What we won’t be drinking:

• Caffeinated Beverages – Caffeine is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration.
• Alcohol – It’s also a diuretic.

About My Family and This Blog

My family is just like yours in that we have our ups and downs.  My husband and I both have family health histories riddled with cancer, diabetes and heart disease.  We are concerned about our health, but we don’t always make the best choices.  We sometimes struggle with our weight.  We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday living.  We have more will-power some days than others.  

We don’t always work as a team; occasionally we even work against each other.  Sometimes my husband goes on a baking kick when I’m trying my best to stay away from sweets.  (Let me tell you the man could tempt Jack LeLanne with some of his delicious concoctions.)  Sometimes, my husband is focused, and I’m off track.  It goes both ways. 

Time, motivation and energy are issues for us.  My husband is off to work for twelve hours of everyday.  I’m seven months pregnant, and I spend my days chasing after an eighteen month old who would like nothing better than to eat cookies, drink soda and leap off the furniture all day long. 

I chose to write this blog, because I know first-hand that life can get crazy and that it’s easy to lose your focus when it comes to health, fitness and nutrition.  I invite you to join me and my family as we try our bests to give our fitness and our nutrition the attention and focus needed to achieve the good health that all of us deserve!  I know that like us, you won’t be 100% on track with your health, fitness and nutrition 100% of the time, but every effort you give it is worth it!  Little changes have the power to make a big difference!

A Little Bit About Me

My name is Shannon Brennan.  I'm a Wife, Mother (Expecting Baby Number Two this November!), Lifelong Vegetarian, Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates Instructor.

I believe that exercise and proper nutrition are paramount to living a full and happy life. The benefits of exercising regularly and eating a balanced and varied diet are countless. I have been an avid exerciser and vegetarian since childhood, and have seen and experienced first hand the amazing impact that an active lifestyle and healthy diet can have.

Since I began working in the fitness industry ten years ago, I have helped thousands of people -- young, old, and in between -- adopt a healthier, more active way of life, and achieve their fitness goals! I hope with my Healthy Mommy Blog to be able to reach and improve the lives of an even larger audience!