I lift and take creatine which means I need to drink about a gallon-a gallon and a half but sometimes I don't drink enough or dont keep track so I have to chug a gallon when I get home late and I am wondering if my body is still observing what it needs or not?
Whenever you drink enough to satisfy the deficit for that moment- you are good for that period of time until you need more. The time that you were in the deficit isn't made up for by drinking more than you need after. Your body is not storing extra water. After the point of hydration your body is working to get rid of the extra water, which the body sees as a threat to its equilibrium, albeit minor, unless you drink enough to blow up your cells. So, extra water doesn't make up for not enough earlier or later. Of course, if you do something to build up a need for water while your body is trying to get rid of excess water, well some of that excess gets used but you are not a camel. Your body doesn't have the ability to store water it simply absorbed a little water from the majority that it was trying to expel. You do have the ability to store water-in containers. Use it when you need it. Drinking too much before bedtime will likely make you have to wake up to piss which disrupts your sleep cycle which disrupts your ability to heal and grow. It will not hurt you to inadvertently drink a little extra from the time you wake until late afternoon in an effort to make sure you are getting enough. Nutrient timing is a very important tool for success.
How much extra water do you need when taking creatine? Might explain my thirst yesterday.
Great answer Quester.
Op, read this and save the site. It's outstanding, IMO.
Creatine - In-Depth Scientific Supplement Information | Examine.com
Thanx Kelkel,
I think I learned that reading something from Anto...(?) the wiki dude. I also went to the examine site; it's a great resource, thanx for posting it.