Question about hydration

[johnnycashh]

So we all know that hydration plays a huge role in training, but how much is enough? Is urine color enough to determine level of hydration?

For example, I work outside. In the winter (today for example) it was -2 degrees. It is extremely hard for me to drink enough water when it's this cold. I have to basically choke it down. Even though I maybe only drank 80 ounces of water today, I've been pissing clear since I'm not sweating it out. Am I hydrated? Or do I still need to try to push a gallon of water? Likewise, in the summer when it's 90+, I'll drink 1.5 gallons or more and my pee will still be a little yellow.

[smokinHawk]

Well hydration also involves how much water your body is keeping and not flushing out. You can drink and drink but if your body isn't holding the water you aren't getting the benefits you are wanting.
That is why on meet day powerlifters take a lot of sodium to bloat. You want to fill your muscles up with water. There are benefits to drinking a lot of water to flush out your system and keep it clean. But if you are talking about hydrating for strength and recovery gains you need to hold the water.
I have found it isn't good for me to get below 9% body fat as I get to dry, and when I'm dehydrated like that I tend to get injured getting muscle tears and such.

[grouchyjarhead]

The general rule of thumb I've always stuck with is to try to get at least half your body weight in ounces per day.

[str8flexed]

Well hydration also involves how much water your body is keeping and not flushing out. You can drink and drink but if your body isn't holding the water you aren't getting the benefits you are wanting.
That is why on meet day powerlifters take a lot of sodium to bloat. You want to fill your muscles up with water. There are benefits to drinking a lot of water to flush out your system and keep it clean. But if you are talking about hydrating for strength and recovery gains you need to hold the water.
I have found it isn't good for me to get below 9% body fat as I get to dry, and when I'm dehydrated like that I tend to get injured getting muscle tears and such.

fat tissue is hydrophobic... it contains almost no water. Losing bodyfat would not reduce your bodywater... in fact it would increase it in terms of % of your body's total weight.

[lancs_hotpot]

Choke it down then, or drink juice or make up a big flask of tea or coffee, nice warm drink and its fluid. Ill be hungover tomorrow so ill just drink at least 3 or 4 pints of water, eat some fruit and ill be satisfied that im hydrated. Theres another, fruit, that'l hydrate you aswell.

[established1995]

I generally try and shoot for around 5 to 6 pints of water a day

[smokinHawk]

fat tissue is hydrophobic... it contains almost no water. Losing bodyfat would not reduce your bodywater... in fact it would increase it in terms of % of your body's total weight.

fat contains around 10% water, yes a lot less then muscle.
I can agree that I get more dry with my diet that takes me to get sub 9% would be a more accurate statement then.

[str8flexed]

not sure I follow you.