Refreshing yourself after karate training

Imagine you've just completed a real gruelling training session. The kind that include seemingly neverending basics, a half hour of ground work followed by intensive kata, pads and pairs work training.

At last the session comes to and end and everyone reaches for the drinks bottles. What's your poison?

If you're dehydrated water's the best thing to take - rather obvious really, considering dehydration is the lack of water in your system. But how often are you tempted by those cool fizzy sports "energy" drinks or a nice refreshing can of soda?

Did you know this stuff is doing a lot of damage to your system? I stopped drinking fizzy drinks over a week ago. Sounds like nothing, but I was drinking several cans per day as I tried to fight off the boredom at work (I'm waiting to transfer to another area, so work isn't as hectic as it used to be!)

High sugar content, acid (yes acid) and empty calories were doing me no good at all. So I simply gave up! No cravings, no withdrawal symptoms. I've increased my water intake and started drinking fresh fruit juice. Mmmmmmm...... fresh!

And I do feel much better for it. Here are a few articles you might wish to consider. Be especially wary of artificial sweeteners (aspartame is the biggie).

http://www.organicconsumers.org/school/cocacola021605.cfm
http://www.organicconsumers.org/Toxic/soda-pop.cfm
http://bluecorn.iblog.com/post/202954/238979