29 - The Dehydration of Swimming

You need water when you're in the water!

It is crazy how many people don't realize that they are making swimming five times harder on themselves for one simple reason. They are dehydrated, and now it is more than just water sure. In fact many people really need potassium or magnesium when they are exercising, as they aren't getting it in their diet.

However the main purpose of this post is to get you to stay hydrated more.

Why + Philosophy:

Our bodies are machines, and in order to upkeep such machines. Not to mention keep them "well oiled" if you will, is the system of hydration in our bodies.

Edit Note: Some people were confused by this part. Our bodies act like literal machines, that can overheat or wear down. You can almost think of the bones like gears moving in a giant well constructed mechanism. If we think about it in that way, then it helps us realize that we are simpler to improve. Self-development, swimming, exercise, they're all meant for improvement.

Think of the analogy above about being "well oiled" in the sense that our gears need the oil to rotate properly. Our muscles need the hydration in order to cool off the hot components. Our brain needs the hydration for conducting the electricity between neurons. Granted this is all an oversimplification, but that is the point of this article. To give you a starter to want to learn more.

We talked about fuel before, but the oil is what helps make the engine go in a car. You're the same way, our joints, and our muscles both need water in order to operate properly. Otherwise our muscles overheat, and cause damage just like a computer would if it didn't get enough airflow. We use the water to flush out the lactic acid, which is the stuff that makes you feel like your muscles are burning.

It is that line of thinking that I want you to employ today.

How + Physics:

As I mentioned before the water helps flush out the acid in your muscles, but it is more than that. It keeps everything in order, and helps you maintain proper function. Without that balance then you are starting off your lesson, or training session, with a negative start.

You need to give yourself the best opportunities to gain progress, and making sure you're well fed and hydrated is the big part of that.

More than that just BEING in the pool will dehydrate you. Ever wonder why your body gets all prune-y after being the water for so long? That is because the water is pulling the water molecules out of YOU, and basically causing you to get even more dehydrated. Not only from exercise, but from just simply being in the water too.

Thanks osmosis.

What + Psychology:

When you are thinking about getting a drink of water, then guess what you're not doing... focusing on swimming. Yes it may be my world, and so I have a reason to be 100% all of the time.

However the point of you being here, is to let some of that dedication rub off on you. Getting you to a higher level, and that doesn't matter if you are just starting out or well on your way to the Olympics.

Sometimes the basics are what we need most. Even the greatest swimmers or experts in any field for that matter, will forget a crucial basic step every once in a while.

Conclusion

My point I want to leave you with, and I'm literally saying this for a fifth time at this point. However you do not want to get dehydrated.

It will lead you to feeling disoriented, perhaps weak, and honestly will prevent you from making nearly as much progress as you should have.

Disclaimer:

This is advice for people to level up their swimming, or perhaps get started in the first place. While you swim you should make sure you are doing so in a public facility with a lifeguard on duty for safety.