Anyone who knows me knows that I am a soft drink junkie, especially when it comes to Coca-Cola. However, 3 weeks ago, I began using the App, C25Kfree (Couch To 5K free) and I began jogging for the first time in my life.
(I would really recommend the App for anyone with an iPhone who is wanting to get into shape and lose weight. I can feel the benefits after only 3 weeks.)
After the first couple of runs, I came face to face with the cold hard reality that it was time for me to stop drinking soft drinks. The main reason is that they were severely hindering my workouts. Here are the 3 main reasons I found when I did just a little bit of study on the subject:
3 Reasons Soft Drinks Hinder A Good Workout
- Proper hydration is critical – Your body needs adequate amounts of water in order to carry nutrients to your muscles and to then remove waste produced during physical activity. Carbonated drinks do not hydrate your body sufficiently and therefore hinder the maximum impact of your exercise.
- Bloating – Carbonated beverages cause bloating. This is often seen around your waistline, when gas builds up in your stomach. During exercise, this can result in slight stomach pain.
- Shortness of breath – Many carbonated soft drinks contain caffeine, which is a central nervous system stimulant. It speeds up your heart rate and your breathing. This is what makes you feel short of breath as you exercise and your rate of inhaling and exhaling increases.
If you’ve experienced similar results, please share your comments with me. It will really encourage me as I continue towards my running goal.
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