Water and air are the two most essential elements to human life. Water effects every part of our bodies on a cellular level. Being properly hydrated is very important, but even more so when we exercise on a regular basis. Even minimal water loss can adversely affect sports or athletic performance. Water also plays a big part in our recovery.

So how much water do we need? I divide my body weight by 2 and drink that amount in ounces daily, and even more during and after exercise or when exercising in excessive heat. There are several ways to determine if you are properly hydrated. I became certified with USA Weightlifting in 2012. They are the sanctioning body for the U.S. Olympic weightlifting team. They provide a chart on their web site for athletes that will help you determine if you are hydrated. It's pretty straightforward and I'm happy to share it with you. Click here to view the chart.