What's Your Drink?

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Just got finished reading the &quot;SAD NEWS&quot; post by Rebel2002. What do you guys use to keep hydrated? I'm especially interested in you guys down South. Some days in Florida when it's 105 heat index and 100% humidity plain old water won't do the trick. I recently switched to an electrolyte replacement drink and I don't mean Gatorade or PowerAid, that's mainly sugar water. Its made by TwinLab and contains electrolytes and minerals to replace what you lose when you sweat. Also contains cell volumizers to help you retain the water you drink. In addition they add medium chain carbohydrates as opposed to simple carbs that pick you up then slow you down. Also some herbal stuff in there, not sure of its usefulness but I can tell you I never leave the house without it anymore. Energy levels are up, with me and my partner. Mood is better. Less fatigue, stay motivated longer, especially at the end of the day. I can actually feel a big difference. Much better than water. Tastes kinda like a watered down Tang. I add sliced oranges to improve the taste. <p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: GrassRoots Lawn Care

[Charles]

Ya the humidity is the killer. be careful with the herbal stuff. i don't know if it was they only thing that messed up my kidneys but it sure didn't help. Herbs are a duiretic(take water out of you for those peeps in ala and ark lol). I drink ,mainly lots of icewater

[jaclawn]

Generally ice water, but will treat myself to a Gatorade or iced tea with lunch. Stay away from soda pop at all costs.

[geogunn]

I hated to read the &quot;sad news&quot; post.<p>for me, water is numero uno.<p>I use the sports drinks in the afternoons when it's really hot...and lots of water. <p>whichever brand of sports drink is closest to the front of the cooler. except for the blue stuff. if I'm gonna overload on food dye, I want it to be a real looking food dye like orange or yellow.<p>GEO

[SMB]

Water, Water, Water, and an occaisional Gatorade. It sure has been hot here in SW VA lately.<p>----------<br>SMB<br>

[trimmer]

I am in central florida and I mainly drink water a lot of it but every once in a while I will buy the powder mix gatorade and put it in my jug. I drink more in the morning than in the afternoon seems to be hotter in the morning because it is wet outside and the from the grass is unreal. Well that is what I drink.<p><br>Exquisite Lawn Services<br>Cental Flordia

[Toroguy]

Ive heard and had good results from a mixture of gatorade and water. Mix it at half strength. But your water jug will need cleaning each nite.<p>I use this formula during the hottest days only, otherwise water only.

[stick]

I live in south west Floida, I start out with a big bowl of ceral in the morning. Pull out a gallon of water out of the freezer, which is ice, since to me its always hotter around 8-10 Am, body is adjusting to heat index and temp is climbing about 10 degrees per. hour. Always bring extra shirts to change, sweat causes raw skin rashes.But I was told by a doctor to drink warm water, told me your body absorbs water faster or hydrate.If its hot out and your not sweating as much, time to stop and drink.We are made mostly of water, so thats what drink.But every day atlunch time I get a big carton of chocolate milk.<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: stick

[yardsmith]

I usually drink Gatorade to start with, to fill my &quot;camel hump&quot; for the day.<br>When it's hot in afternoon, more gatorade will make me sick or get a headache, so it's water to the rescue. If it's not too hot, I'll drink a clear soda like 7up or sprite, & with meals too.<br>Sobe has some good drinks, too. I like the power drink with creatine.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<p><p><font size="1">Edited by: yardsmith

[lawngator]

Hey Mike,<br> It's mainly water and gatorade for me, but I'm interested in how well the twinlab stuff works. GNC has something similar that the triathaletes use. Let us know the results if you try it.<p>Bill<br>Central FLorida

[MOW ED]

During the day I'll drink water,or diet 7-up.I also eat 1 or 2 apples over the day. Dehydration can come over days so its good to drink more water thanyoou think you need. You can notice if you becoming water depleated if your pee is starting to turn a dark yellow.<p>Stay away from caffiene or drinks with sugar in them. Caffiene is a diuretic, it takes a large amount of water to dilute a teaspoon of sugar.<br>

[southside]

Lift or chocolate flavoured milk.<p>Karl<br>

[bill phagan]

Some other things you can do besides the above......learned some things after the &quot;bear&quot; got me a time or two. Right now it's hotter than a redneck's truck tires and we all need to protect ourselves out there...water and/or Gatorade should not be ice cold to preclude cramps, don't eat greasy or heavy lunches, always keep on your shirts ON as they act as a cooling unit with your sweat, take frequent breaks, maybe start later in the day and work after the sun goes down, a cool rag around the neck works wonders and God forbid we develop skin cancers. I would get checked at least yearly with a dermatologist and take the pictures they have to compare on your skin. Skin creams and SPF lotions will run off you like Niagra Falls but continual application will help...along with a big hat and light colored shirts. The heat and especially the humidity in Florida is nightmarish as it is in other places....protect yourselves out there!<p>Bill Phagan

[1stclasslawns]

I keep water mostly, but some of the health food stores have a packet drink called EMERGEN &quot;C&quot;. It is a vitamin and electrolyte drink. Generly 2 to 3 packets per day. A partner of mine on the fire dept who runs marithons told me about it, it works great! On the relly hot days Ill drink one before I start to &quot;load up&quot; another trick the marithon runner told me. An interesting thing though the more you need it the better it taste even though it dosnt taste bad to begen with.<br>It isnt herbs Charles so this arkie dosnt have to worry about it being a duiretic. lol<br>The water/gateraid is recommended for heat related emergencies. <br>Watch out for Heat Cramps they are a step below Heat Prostration which is right before Heat Stroke. So if you get cramps stop then! They dont alwayse happen but be careful. I alwayse try to take lynch between 1:30 and 2:00 when it is the hottest part of the day.<br>

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Lawngator, I've been using the TwinLab for 2 months and I highly recommend it.<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

[NeilG]

H2O, and lots of it. Start an hour or two before I go out.<br>But I would like to know more about the Twinlab product. How and where is it sold??<br>It may be in the the local stores, just haven't been aware, so I haven't looked.<br>Thanks

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

I bought mine at www.netrition.com but I'm sure you can pick it up at most health food stores. I did save about $10 buying online though. $14 for the canister and it makes 95 gallons at half strength.<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

[JML]

Ice water with a few fresh lemons and limes. It tastes great and the citrus helps clean your system...

[Stinger]

Mike: I operate in and around San Antonio,TX.<br>so I can relate. First thing in the morning before leaving the house I hydrate my body by drinking 2 large glasses of water. We have 2 coolers on the truck, because one just isn't enough for all day. In one cooler I mix the powder Gatorade and the other with plain water & not alot of ice.Some of my employees stop at the convience store for a Coke. These are same people you will see puking up later that afternoon,then there through for the day. I condition and pace myself with the heat by drinking and eating small ammounts throughout the day.Also I take breaks perodically and wear a hat plus prefer not to use A/C in the truck until the end of the day 60mph A/C is more my style.<br>Sometimes when I want to go home I'll drink a Carbo Force, this is what body builders sip on during a workout. You'll feel a big difference & they can be had in a assortment of flavors at your local GNC.

[eslawns]

Water. But some days you can't drink it quickly enough. Something I learned from an old Marine Sergeant: Drink water in the evenings and eat bananas or something high in Potassium. This helps to keep the cramps away when you sleep and allows you body to absorb water rather than flush your kidneys with it. Stay away from coffee, tea, and especially soda and beer. This is the only thing I hate about my job. No beer in the summer. Well maybe just one...

[Alston]

Greetings from the true deep south MISSISSIPPI. I'm a 17 year old redhead with fair skin pushing a lawn mower during the normal 95 degree 100% humidity. Yes i know, thank you for the sympathy sighs. I'm planning on going commercial with all the equipment next year so i'm doing research, but i think seeing as i do real manual labor every day i decided to try and share some insight on this topic i know all too well. My concoction is of course some water as a foundation. Next i add a 1/4 cup of sugar. And finally a bit of lemon juice to take off the edge. Yes i know, disgusting and unhealthy. But when you need a quick fix when you think you're about to die... its perfect. Just think of it as a &quot;SUPER LEMONADE&quot; southern style. Take it easy guys, and happy mowing.<p>P.S. any suggestions, hints, etc. on new business please contact me! Stealth_23@hotmail.com

[Likestomow]

I've been using Sqwincher (www.sqwincher.com) this season instead of Gatoraid. It costs less and is much better tasting. If you call them, they will send out out samples. I prefer their Lemon-lime and Tropical Cooler flavors, and the Cherry isn't bad either.<p>Water is good and satisfying, but you need more than plain water when the sweat is constantly pouring off of you.