06.07.08
How to stay Hydrated for a Hot Summer Wedding
I am getting ready to photograph a wedding today. The ceremony does not start till 4:00 but I will be at the brides home photographing all the pre-ceremony goings on at 1:30. Today’s weather forecast is not pleasant, hazy, hot and humid. Yes the dreaded three “h”s. By 3:00 it is supposed to be about 95 degrees, the groom will be in a tuxedo, as I will, the bride in her beautiful gown, and everyone else dressed in their finest. It is not even the beginning of summer and our bodies are now being shocked by the sudden bump in temperature.
So just how does one deal with the heat in these conditions? According to Dr. Noel D. Nequin, president of the American Medical Athletic Association, it takes about 10 to 14 days of working or exercising in the heat for your body to adjust or become acclimatized. He also states that the best time to consume fluids is before you are thirsty — by the time you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. It’s best to drink on a schedule when it is hot outside. Avoid drinks containing caffeine or alcohol while in the sun or heat. These types of drinks stimulate the production of urine thereby promoting dehydration. The best drinks are water, or one of the many flavored sports drinks that are on the market. According to Dr. Nequin, “Research clearly shows that a properly formulated sports drink like Gatorade combines flavor and sodium to encourage people to drink more than they would when they only have access to water. Sports drinks help to replace some of the electrolytes you lose through sweat and provide carbohydrate energy to working muscles.”
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration:
- Dry lips and tongue.
- Headache.
- Weakness, dizziness, or extreme fatigue.
- Concentrated urine that appears darker than normal.
- Nausea.
- Muscle cramps
So to make sure you have a happy and fun wedding, make sure that drink plenty of water and Gatorade before the wedding begins and also keep some in your limo next to the champagne. It may not be the sexiest drink but it will keep you partying well into the night.