How much water to drink?

You've probably heard you should drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. True. Possibly more. Sometimes when we think we are hungry we probably just need more water. But how much should you drink during a workout? The guidelines are 8-10 ounces of water before a workout (about 1 cup) and 3-4 ounces every 20 minutes of strenuous workout. So during our Zumba classes, you should stop to get a drink at least twice, drinking about 1/2 a cup each time. Then after workout you need to drink 2 cups for every pound of sweat you lost. How do you know? Well, to be really accurate is a little over the top as far as I'm concerned--you have to weigh without clothes on before your workout, then without the sweat-drenched clothes afterward. You probably won't do that, so just drink 2-3 cups of water afterward. Most water bottles hold 3 cups, so if you come hydrated, your water bottle should get you through. But, as always, listen to your body! Don't forget the importance of being well-hydrated.