Salt- hydration and muscle definition
Hi Everyone!
I am curious about those who have low body fat and visible, defined muscles...
Do you consume any salt?
Is calorie restriction more important for muscle definition (with adequate exercise)?
How much water do you drink daily?
Thanks in advance!
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
I know male models that do something like this. Generally though, I don't think of it as being very safe. If you really want info on it though you might want to look at body building forums.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
Hi I don't have ridiculously low body fat or crazy definition, but I would say more than normal definition compared to most women my age and fitness level.
I drink tons of water. I pretty much only drink water. I don't drink juice (except fresh veggie juice), coffee, tea, soft drink...nothing. Ok so at work I now drink alcohol, but I usually have vodka and soda water. I don't know what my daily intake is but probably at least 10 - 12 glasses a day.
I also eat a lot of salt. Not intentionally but I try to avoid sugar which makes me crave more salty things.
Basically I look more defined if I eat less sugar which makes me lose fat. I've restricted calories but still ate junk and it did nothing. I still had fat.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
U cannot go without ANY salt. Too much salt makes u retain water which will give u a more bloated look.
It's more about eating the right quantities of the right foods rather than calorie restriction per se.
High protein, low carbs, low sugar and no processed sugars.
Drinking 3 litres a day of water is essential.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jaizaine
U cannot go without ANY salt. Too much salt makes u retain water which will give u a more bloated look.
It's more about eating the right quantities of the right foods rather than calorie restriction per se.
High protein, low carbs, low sugar and no processed sugars.
Drinking 3 litres a day of water is essential.
Your RDI of water is 3l a day, but your intake is affected by your food and the metabolism of protein/fat/carbs which means the amount taken in as fluid doesn't need to be the full 3l, 2l is recommended. I'm always scared I'm going to get water intoxication because I drink, drink, drink. I should talk to my therapist about my green tea addiction.
And yeah, naturally occurring salts are found in most foods, it'd be hard to avoid them. The bloating thing's caused by your body's fluid balance - it doesn't like being salty, so it'll tank up on water until the salt isn't a problem. Amusingly, drinking water eases water retention. I've always been kinda sceptical about water retention tablets though? I have no idea how well they might work.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
^^
really coz I am seriously struggling to drink 3l. I am not a very thirsty person unless I am working out. I would naturally drink 1.5 in a day and at the moment I am pushing myself to drink more - my trainer said 3l. I am constantly going to the toilet if I have that much.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jaizaine
^^
really coz I am seriously struggling to drink 3l. I am not a very thirsty person unless I am working out. I would naturally drink 1.5 in a day and at the moment I am pushing myself to drink more - my trainer said 3l. I am constantly going to the toilet if I have that much.
As long as your pee is pretty clear and you go at least 4x a day? You're nowhere near being dehydrated. Try 2.5l? I would feel insanely bloated if I drank 3 litres a day, like that sloshy feeling in my tummy would be awful. Water balance is a pretty personal thing - and your body mass has a lot to do with it as well - I'm guessing you're not a huge dude with tank muscles! Talk it over with your trainer, or a dietician? I have no idea how much that would cost though.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
Be careful when backing off the salt. My mother has been on a low sodium diet due to high blood pressure, and she took it too an extreme, causing a hospital trip due to not enough salt in her diet.
If you are looking for more muscle definition, dehydration is the route to go just before a competition. Of course you need to get your body fat as low as possible, then dehydrate yourself. This will make your muscles pop and you'll have the best possible definition.
Even competition body builders don't stay in competition shape all the time. They allow their body fat to come up on the off season because maintaining extremely low levels of body fat is unhealthy.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
Thank you for sharing your responses everyone. I guess this is just trial and error for me. I do consume naturally occuring sodium in fruits and veggies. I am contemplating adding sea salt back in (maybe seaweed or some braggs) for taste reasons only. I don't like the idea of my body retaining water though.
Re: Salt- hydration and muscle definition
make sure you get enough potassium, it helps the body deal with sodium.