This topic has recently surfaced on other blogs and sites and for good reason. The mounting evidence against this false nutritional habit has even made me re-consider my own daily water intake.

Today’s popular advice, or myth as we like to see it here at The Fat Loss Authority, deals with drinking as much water as you possibly can before, during, and after exercise to lose fat and gain muscle.

Nowadays, the gym floor ends up littered with water bottles and containers and it seems people are spending more time drinking then exercising.

We all need water, but let’s not get obsessive compulsive about it. While dehydration (not enough water) during exercise is more common than drinking too much, occasionally some people have developed a serious condition known as hyponatremia (low blood sodium) from drinking way too much.

Who remembers the tragic story of James McBride, a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, died of hyponatremia on August 10, 2005? Officer McBride had been participating in a strenuous bicycle patrol training course. During a 12-mile (19 km) training ride on the second day of the course, Officer McBride drank as much as three gallons (11 liters) of water. And there’s more cases like the one above where people are consuming too much water.

People… it’s time to think in terms of short gulps and not gallons!

Follow These Tips for Safe Water Consumption:

1. Stay hydrated day-to-day. Most liquids such as water, milk, soy beverages, 100% juice, and even tea, coffee, and some foods all count. Take note: Alchohol is not part of this list.

2. During exercise, drink to help replace water lost in sweat. How much? It all depends on the rate at which you sweat. Keep water handy and sip it during your workout. When you’re sweating heavily or it is hot, drink more.

3. After exercise, consuming a meal, snacks and beverages will help replace what you have lost in sweat. Research shows a multitude of options such as:

a) A glass of water or chocolate milk as a beverage;

b) Have an apple with some cheese for a snack.

c) If it is meal time why not try Mediterranean which is high in vegatable and fruit content?

For more obsessive compulsive eating habits and contranian advice on nurtrition, check out the 12 Most Popular Eating Habit MISTAKES. Author Brad Pilon of Eat Stop Eat fame not only outlines the dangers of following these popular habits/mistakes, but also offers advice on how to correct them.