fluids

poeticphoto · Post by **poeticphoto** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 12:14 am

So water intake out on the playa is im-port-ant. I know this... but my question is: what about other liquids? I'm not wondering about alcohol because me and my companion are not big drinkers, but how about drinking more tea than water? It's mostly water so I don't see a problem, but it there something I'm missing? Gatorade, koolaid, flavored teas, etc... would those suffice? I'm wondering this especially because the person I'll be going with (my boyfriend) doesn't usually drink water at all in his regular daily routine. I know it's important to 'train' your body before the trip and start building up your water intake and I plan to make him do this... but it seems that bringing teas and things to flavor the water out there would be a lot more tolerable for him. I, myself, love water so for me it's not a problem, but I'm thinking with others in mind. Any suggestions, comments, advice???

PurpleKoosh · Post by **PurpleKoosh** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 12:56 am

Many people I've talked to (both here and elsewhere) swear by powdered Gatorade and/or Emergen-C. Tea would also be an option - though in my case, it's a greater diuretic than plain water would be, so you'd probably need to bring a LOT more.

_tears_ · Post by **_tears_** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 12:59 am

PurpleKoosh wrote:Many people I've talked to (both here and elsewhere) swear by powdered Gatorade and/or Emergen-C. Tea would also be an option - though in my case, it's a greater diuretic than plain water would be, so you'd probably need to bring a LOT more.

Powdered Gatorade saved me out there.. I also enjoy pouring a little lemon juice into my water to give it a hint of freshness

poeticphoto · Post by **poeticphoto** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 2:44 am

Lemons... GREAT idea!

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:32 am

I'm not suggesting that you're gonna die if you do a lot of tea or Gatorade,I don't even play a doctor on TV, but I've always read that your body really wants plain water.
I don't drink nearly enough water here in my "normal" life either, but you'll find it much easier to pound plenty of water on the playa.

Icepack · Post by **Icepack** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:41 am

I think it's healthier to sip water rather than pound it. Hydration packs are great for sipping water. You can fill one up, put it on, and walk around the city and just sip as you go along. You'll hardly even notice you're drinking water after a while.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 8:06 am

The caffeine in tea does have a diuretic efffect (dehydrating), but that is mitigated if you're used to a lot of caffeine intake. You should drink just plain water most of the time, as Gatorade and that ilk have a lot of electrolytes, usually in the form of a salt. They tend to go right through you. They are exactly the ticket, though, if you begin to feel the early stages of dehydration; you need the electrolytes to speed up the process of your body absorbing water. Flavoring the water slightly is a great idea. If you have a hydration pack, take it. I find that just by carrying around a bottle of water (or my Bota Bag) I drink absentmindedly all the time. Remember, if you're feeling thirsty, you've already waited too long. See you all out there pissin' clear.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 8:07 am

The caffeine in tea does have a diuretic efffect (dehydrating), but that is mitigated if you're used to a lot of caffeine intake. You should drink just plain water most of the time, as Gatorade and that ilk have a lot of electrolytes, usually in the form of a salt. They tend to go right through you. They are exactly the ticket, though, if you begin to feel the early stages of dehydration; you need the electrolytes to speed up the process of your body absorbing water. Flavoring the water slightly is a great idea. If you have a hydration pack, take it. I find that just by carrying around a bottle of water (or my Bota Bag) I drink absentmindedly all the time. Remember, if you're feeling thirsty, you've already waited too long. See you all out there pissin' clear.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 8:09 am

Shit. Blame my medieval dial-up for the duplicate.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:58 am

I use this stuff called cytomax. It's a powder that has electrolytes, a bit of sugar and a lot of other crazy shit in it to keep your energy up and your muscles fueled. Be wary of just drinking a lot of straight water. An electrolyte imbalance high is not all that pleasant.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 12:17 pm

the formula I was taught was a drink of water and 15 minutes later a drink of Croc-a-Help then 15 minutes later a drink of water ad infinitum. Electrolydes are important you'll be sweating a lot and your goal is to stay healthy enough to enjoy the experience. You can get htem in pill form too.

pokiedot · Post by **pokiedot** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 12:35 pm

stuart wrote:I use this stuff called cytomax. It's a powder that has electrolytes, a bit of sugar and a lot of other crazy shit in it to keep your energy up and your muscles fueled. Be wary of just drinking a lot of straight water. An electrolyte imbalance high is not all that pleasant.

i'll have to try that. i've been looking for a powdered alternative to gatorade. how does it, or does it, taste?

i'm a firm advocate of electrolyte drinks.. i've actually had hyponatremia (water intoxication, or too much water) and it is the worst! drink your electrolytes!

-josie

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 2:46 pm

it comes in a few flavors but is for the most part pretty mild. I would liken it to emergen-c far more than gatorade. If your dislike of gatorade is that it is too cloyingly sweet then this stuff might fit the bill. It is also the bomb for muscle soreness.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:58 pm

IIRC it is designed for weightlifting, and should be available in places like GNC or whoever caters to weight trainers in your area. (I should add the disclaimer that I haven't been to a GNC for years, so I can't say for certain that it would be there!)

DARN! You folks have reminded me that I really should start working out again! I've let myself get too fat and lazy, and if I want to really enjoy BM I should be in better shape!

naga brain · Post by **naga brain** » Wed Jun 02, 2004 1:47 pm

It helped me to get GOOD water. The place in Reno, right off Hwy 80 was awesome tasting and made me want to drink more. What is the name of that place... I will find it...hold on...

fluids

fluids

Water!