You’ve seen them.  Some may think it’s ridiculous.  Some don’t understand it.  People mean mug them.  I’m talking about the “juggers”.  These are the people you see in the gym, at the store, at the sporting events with a gallon jug of water.  They live- The Jug Life.

The Jug of Choice

So, why the gallon jug?  Why not the standard 16oz-20oz bottles?  They look stupid with those gallons.  Then again, they may be smarter than you.

Water.  The most important element of the human body, and the earth.  Our bodies are composed of more than 60% water.  The skeleton, organs, blood, muscle, every cell, every fiber, contains water.  Water, itself, also serves as a natural fat burner.  But you knew that, right, non-jugger?

Whenever someone tells me that they find it hard to lose weight, I ask them about how much water intake do they get in daily.  The answer is mostly, “Oh, I drink a lot of water…”, “How much?”, “Oh, like 3 of these…”, as they hold up an old 20 ounce plastic bottle.  ”You’re not drinking enough.”

Straight to the Jug-ular

What many do not consider is the amount of water our bodies lose daily.  Every time we breathe, we lose water.  Every time we use the bathroom, we lose water.  Every time we sweat, we lose water.  If a person exercises or trains vigorously, even more water is lost.  On any given day, the average person can lose, easily, 2 liters of water- without any activity, and even more for the person that is active. Every one of the body’s systems rely on water.  This means, in order to keep the body functioning, you must replenish it with… yep, more water.

FACT:

A person can not survive longer than 8-10 days without water.  During which time, the body’s systems begin to malfunction to the point of not operating at all.

Enough but not too much

Well, it depends.  For the average male, roughly 3 liters or 101.4 ounces or nearly 13 cups.  The average female should hit AT LEAST 2.2 liters or 74.36 ounces or 9 cups.  A gallon of water is the equivalent to 128 fluid ounces or 16 cups.  There’s where that gallon jug comes into play.  For athletes and those that endure strenuous activity, that gallon of water is necessity.

But, can’t you drink too much water?  I love this part.  The answer is — YES.  A person CAN get “water poisoning” or what’s known as water intoxication or dilutional hyponatremia… This, basically, means the body has been flooded with more fluid, or “is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that results when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside safe limits by over-hydration.”  In other words, the body is being flooded with an excess amount of water WITHOUT giving the body the proper nutrients it needs.  Oh, look… nutrition.  It plays a part in over-all health just as water does.  I think they should hold hands.  Although the chances of water poisoning is a rare occurrence, it can happen.  

What exactly is water good for?

Oh, you mean, besides, I don’t know, everything?

Here’s a list:

1)  Regulates body temperature

2)  Carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells

3)  Helps to dissolve minerals and other nutrients so that they are readily accessible to the body

4)  Protects body organs and tissue

5)  Lubricates joints

6)  Lessens the burden on kidneys and the liver by flushing out waste products

7)  Moistens tissue such as the eyes, nose and mouth

8)  Helps prevent constipation (should have been #1 in my opinion)

9)  Readies the stomach and other digestive organs to receive food

10)  Makes the skin supple and radiant

11)  Replenishes the body to keep it properly hydrated

12)  Aids in fat loss and food cravings between meals

The list could go on and on.  Imagine what would happen to a plant that doesn’t receive water.  It withers and dies.  The same effect can be had on our bodies.  Whether you’re with the Jug Life or not, consume plenty of water.  Not just the water in your coffee or other beverages but mostly in your “high quality H20″ -Bobby Boucher, The Waterboy

I would write more, but I gotta pee.  Till next time, friends… Drink up.