| Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for | | | | depends on your weight, according to "Drinking |
| older adults like me. My walking equipment is | | | | Water," an article on the America's Walking |
| simple, a pair of comfortable shoes, support hose, | | | | website. For example, a 200-pound person needs |
| a hat to shield me from the sun, and water to | | | | to drink 12.5 glasses of water a day. To |
| keep me hydrated. Proper hydration helps me to | | | | determine how much water you need to drink, |
| complete the walk I planned. | | | | weigh yourself and divide that number in half. The |
| You may be walking too if you are an older adult. | | | | article says walkers need to drink every 15 |
| Hydration should be part of your walking plan and, | | | | minutes. Sipping water is better than drinking large |
| if it is not, add it today! For as we age we lose | | | | amounts, and helps you avoid the sloshy, |
| our sense of thirst. In fact, our minds may | | | | waves-in-my-tummy feeling. |
| interpret thirst as hunger. That is why we need to | | | | Proper hydration is important in the summer time, |
| stay hydrated all the time. | | | | but it is just as important in the winter time. "How |
| An article on the US News website, "Lack of | | | | to Stay Warm and Safe During Outdoor Walking |
| Strong thirst Signals Leads Elderly to Drink Too | | | | Exercise Routines," an article on the Life123 |
| Little," discusses proper hydration. "Older adults | | | | website, explains the reasoning behind this. Though |
| don't drink enough water and become dehydrated | | | | you do not sweat as much in the winter, drinking |
| during heat waves because their brains and bodies | | | | water helps to regulate your body temperature. |
| don't coordinate sensory signals about thirst, a | | | | What should you drink? Your options are bottled |
| new Australian study suggests." The study was | | | | water, flavored water, sports drinks, and more. |
| conducted by Gary Egan, Associate Professor at | | | | People tend to drink more water if it is flavored, |
| the University of Melbourne. | | | | according to a Redbook website article, "Staying |
| The Bella Online website, in an article titled "Water | | | | Hydrated." To add flavor, you may put a slice of |
| for Walkers," tells walkers to learn to recognize | | | | lemon or lime in your water bottle. In extremely |
| the signs of dehydration. A dry mouth is one sign. | | | | hot weather, you may wish to fill your bottle with |
| Others include tiredness, dizziness, headache, | | | | ice cubes and sip them as they melt. |
| weakness, and muscle cramps. "By the time you | | | | The America's Walking website describes water |
| feel thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated," | | | | as "fuel for the road." To get my fuel I drink a |
| the article notes. | | | | glass of water an hour before I head out and |
| One of the quickest ways to tell if you are | | | | bring bottled water. I usually walk for a half hour |
| dehydrated is to check your urine. Darker urine is | | | | and drink more water when I get home. I am a |
| a sign of dehydration. | | | | walking grandma, and have made hydration part |
| How much water should you drink? The amount | | | | of my exercise plan. Have you? |