Used to be, I didn't sweat enough. It was hard to work up a good sweat, no matter how much effort I put into it. And I also had a lot more problems with cramps and feeling exhausted later rather than invigorated.
Finally occurred to me I might be deficient in electrolytes. I rarely used salt in food and avoided salty foods. I didn't take vitamins or supplements. I didn't like the taste of Gatorade or Powerade.
So I started eating the same thing before every ride to see if it helped consistently: yogurt with cereal and a banana. Sure enough, I felt more energetic and maybe sweated a little more.
But after experiencing painful stomach and leg cramps during a ride in early June when the temp was only in the 70s, I tried some of the electrolyte supplements other cyclists recommended, especially NUUN. Then I switched to DripDrop because it's more cost effective -- more concentrated per dollar -- and comes in small sealed single serving Mylar packets that are waterproof and tuck inside any little niche in my saddlebag.
I started sweating buckets. And everything was covered in a frosty white residue, which had never happened to me before. But I felt better during and after the rides.
The downside is I have to clean stuff more often. I used to be able to go a week or two between cleaning my gloves. My hands just didn't sweat much. Same with my shoes -- I could get by for a month without wiping down the exterior. Not now. And because salty residue is hygroscopic I have to dry everything thoroughly before tossing it into the laundry hamper, otherwise it'll mildew. So I keep a fan next to the drying rack and mesh laundry basket. I wipe down my helmet straps and inside after every ride, but I also need to soak the straps in a bucket of water once a week to get out the residue.
Frankly, it's pretty gross. But I feel better so maybe I was doing it all wrong for years by omitting most salt from my diet and not taking any electrolyte supplements.
But I'm afraid if I stop too long to rest on my rural rides I'll be swarmed by horses and deer wanting to lick me for the salt.
