adminWater is the most precious liquid in our lives. It constitutes the majority of our body cells, actually more than fifty percent, depending on age, sex, and body composition. It is the most important substance that we consume that ensures the healthy functioning of every living cell in our bodies. It is found in the cells (intracellular) and it is found outside the cells (extracellular). Intracellular water comprises two thirds of the whole amount of water and extracellular is one third.
Water is not considered as food as it has no caloric value, but water assists us in digesting and absorbing the food that we eat which builds and repairs our cells and gives us the energy to perform. Water also assists in the circulation of blood, the transportation of nutrients and efficient excretion of wastes and toxins. Water assists in the maintenance of normal temperature particularly during exercises and in hot temperatures. According to experts each day we lose three quarts of water through perspiration, environmental conditions and physical activity. When we participate in vigorous physical activity like exercise we lose more water and in hot temperatures the cooling process is seriously affected so we need to drink a lot more water.
According to some experts pure water that is distilled through natural processes and that which is contained in fruits and vegetables contains all the minerals we need. Mountain spring water has to be processed because it contains inorganic minerals that are not ideal for humans. But according to Bill Pearl artificially distilled pure water may lose some minerals during the process therefore may require mineral supplementation to ensure we get an adequate supply of minerals and electrolyte balance. Fruit and vegetables are the only two foods that are high in water content. Some experts say fruit is the best detoxifying agent because fruit also contain the enzymes and other life preserving elements that assist in cleansing our inner bodies by flushing out toxins.
All sports have inherent potential health hazards that cause injuries or claim casualties immediately or in the long run. Dehydration has claimed the lives of sports-persons and exercise fans. It is one of the causes of sudden illnesses and death in aerobic activities such as marathon running. It is also the main cause of sudden death among body-builders not steroids as many believe. Steroids are fatal but it might take time before their negative effect is felt. Dehydration is also thought to be one of the causes of cramps although the new ‘altered neuromuscular theory’ seeks to disagree.
Dehydration has detrimental effects on performances during physical activities. It affects our ability to mentally and physically function, so during exercise it affects our ability to focus and it disturbs our coordination. Experts say by the time we feel thirsty we will have lost something like two to three percent of water in our bodies.
Let me share the nasty experience I have had with dehydration. It happened during my first senior tournament after competing in several junior tournaments. I tried to diet hard as I thought was required in senior ranks. During the final weeks towards the tournament my diet was composed of white meat, egg whites, and grains such as rice, as well as simple carbohydrates; foods that are easy on the digestive system . For water I drank distilled water in an effort to flush out the extracellular water, as I thought distilled water to be purest with all the minerals.
During the final week, I then embarked on a carbohydrate loading system during which I ate only white meat and drank water the first three days of that last week. I started gradually eating light carbohydrates in the form of grains the last few days. I then made the mistake of jumping into complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat bread on the day of the competition. This was in an effort to absorb what I thought was the remaining extracellular water, and this was supposed to increase my size and muscularity.
The result was a disaster; because my system was not used to digesting the complex carbohydrates and also because I did not have enough water in my system to assist in the digestion of the complex carbohydrates I vomited so was further dehydrated. I lost some marks as I had to leave the prejudging. My friends Danny de Souza and Oliver Sabao assisted me and took me to the hospital, where I got treatment for dehydration. I recovered and I was ready for the evening finals placing second to James Soper in tournament I should have won easily.
I was consoled by the fact that I was lucky to recover and it was mistake I never repeated. I learnt my lesson well, never to temper with water and electrolytes. I started drinking lots of water. During subsequent tournaments I never cut down on water. I figured eating food substances that did not absorb water whilst drinking lots of water would simply flush out unnecessary water, waste and toxins and at the same time make sure I have enough intracellular cellular water.
Even now after my sporting career is over I drink lots of water, and do not wait until I feel thirsty. I just drink a bit every now and then. I think I drink in excess of two litres per day. Once every week I will start the day with two litres of water before I eat anything. But I make sure I am at home and close to the ablution facilities as this really flushes out the system.
Apart from flushing out the undesirables, regularly drinking lots of water also assists in weight loss as it makes one full, just like what the consumption of high fiber foods does , thereby ensuring that one eats less. Obese individuals are said to have less intracellular water than lean individuals and adults are also said to have less water content in their bodies than the young children. Drinking lots of water is also said to lubricate the joints thereby help in preventing injuries by acting as shock absorber.
In order to exercise rigorously with heavy weights as our guest this week, Henry Bindu one has to eat well and drink lots of water to perform to the best of their ability. Henry loves heavy weights and he spots a massive look that is relative to his strength. He is among some of the guys that are known for pushing very heavy weights in the weight training circles.
His love for weight training has seen him opening his own fitness centre, Excel Fitness Centre , and his love for strength training has seen him introducing the Strong Man competition in Zimbabwe. It is now an annual event, which the strong guys who like performing feats of strength look forward to taking part in .In this competition they will be lifting, pushing and pulling heavy irregular shaped objects like vehicles among other objects. This is vital for the big guys who want to keep fit by engaging in activities they love and they can excel in. Weight lifting which is an Olympic sport has failed to make a mark in Zimbabwe despite concerted efforts to introduce the sport in the country after the All Africa Games held in Egypt in 1991. I think one of the reasons why it failed is the lack of qualified and experienced weightlifting coaches. The Strong Man event seems to be making greater strides thanks to Bindu’s love and commitment for the discipline.
When I asked him why he decided to introduce the Strongest Man in Zimbabwe contest he said ‘I wanted to give the big guys who are not body-builders an opportunity to compete in a sport where they are judged based on power, strength and muscular endurance and not so much definition and symmetry that is required in body-building . Also this is a growing sport internationally which was not available here in Zimbabwe. With all that in mind and being aware of the potential we have in Zimbabwe we introduced it with the hopes of getting our boys onto the international platform, which we have already achieved by having Zimbabwe’s Strongest Man 2015 second prize winner Prosper Saungweme representing Zimbabwe at the first ever South Africa’s 2016 Anorld Classics held in Johannesburg in May’. And when I asked about why the Strong Man tournament does not include women’s events he said, “Women will be included in the future competitions. Being a newly introduced sport we are setting up our foundation first before we expand further.”
Henry says, ‘Size matters .Size sets you apart from the rest,” he likes training heavy because it is the only way to really shock the muscles and get massive size. “I lifted my very first weight in 1986 and have never looked back since, of course with the assistance of a supportive family.” He is married to Ntombi and they have two children a boy and a girl, Tinotenda and Tatenda.
Remember to consult a medical practitioner before embarking on any training or diet program.
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Innocent Choga is a six time National Bodybuilding Champion with international experience. He is studying for a science degree in Physical Education and Sport.
Online Reporter