This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Propel. I was compensated and all opinions are my own.
In this post I talk urine color and hydration as I took the Add Flavor Challenge and monitored my hydration for a week.
I don’t think I’ve ever analyzed my pee more than I have in the last week. But in all seriousness, I DON’T DRINK ENOUGH LIQUID TO STAY HYDRATED! I am totally the type of person who wakes up, has my breakfast and downs a half a pot of coffee (hey, I’m down from a full-pot!). Before I know it, it’s noon, I’m ready for my workout and I haven’t even had a sip of H20.
This past week has really shed some light on the fact that I definitely don’t drink enough liquids to stay hydrated…even if I’m not working out!
I decided I was going to do this the holistic way and gage my hydration off of my pee color instead of calculating sweat rates, etc. I think the urine test says it all for me, and it’s so much easier! I was never good at math, anyways 😀 Here’s a little overview once again of the challenge…
Propel Add Flavor Challenge Overview
- Monitor urine color throughout the day
- Focus on hydrating BEFORE my workout even starts
- Hydrate properly during my workout
- Rehydrate properly AFTER my workout
Luckily right before this challenge started, I got a hefty shipment from Propel with some of their newer flavors inside. The Peach and Cranberry Lime flavors are TO DIE FOR.
Each day I made sure to drink at least 12 fluid ounces of liquid (ie, Propel) along side my breakfast and coffee. In addition to that I would sip liquid up until my mid-day workout. I set a goal for myself that for every hour of working out I would drink at least 24 fluid ounces of liquid during the workout and then another 12 fluid ounces during the afternoon. I feel like if I drink too much (especially during cardio), my stomach get’s upset so I have to be careful how much liquid I consume during exercise. During dinner I almost always drink a liquid, but I made sure to continue sipping up until bedtime, which is for some reason tough for me. I don’t like to get up in the middle of the night to pee, so I usually stop drinking all liquids after dinner.
I found that I had the darkest pee in the mornings (maybe because I didn’t consume any liquid for 10-12 hours while I was sleeping) and lighter pee throughout the day. Did I mention that I PEED A LOT? I’m totally okay with that, as long as I have access to a bathroom and am able to stay hydrated especially in this summertime heat! I felt great during my workouts too. No dizziness or light-headedness. I spun at Surge Cycling and sculpted at Corepower and during each of those hours I consumed a full 12. oz bottle of Propel. I usually only finish half my water bottle, but I made sure to drink the whole thing!
Tips to Stay Hydrated
- Set a daily goal of how much liquid you’re going to drink based off your activity
- Monitor your urine color…the lighter the better!
- Make your water taste good <—ie Use Propel Liquid Enhancer or Propel Powder
- Keep liquids at an arm reach away AT ALL TIMES
- Pee all the time
Had to add the last one 😀
Do you monitor your liquid intake? How do you make sure you stay properly hydrated throughout the day?