The Liver
The function of your kidneys is to filter your blood (which is mostly water). And one of the functions of your liver is to metabolize fat. If you don't consume enough water, your kidneys can't function properly, so your liver starts to help perform kidney functions. So, if your liver is busy helping your ailing kidneys, you can't burn as much fat. Let me repeat that: No matter how much you exercise, if you don't drink enough water, your liver will not metabolize fat for you, because it is trying to help your kidneys.
Too Much Water?
Being hyper-hydrated (consuming too much water) is not in any way harmful , and actually helps your body metabolize fat. The greatest ill effect of excess water consumption is that you will visit the washroom more often. Consider it a chance to fit in a little more exercise into your daily routine.
There have been a few cases of long distance runners who have died from drinking water to toxic levels, but this is extremely rare, and their situation is very unique, so it is nothing for a normal person to worry about.
Retaining Water
You may have a medical condition that causes you to retain water, probably because of excess salt (sodium) in your system. The solution is simple: drink more water. Your body retains water for the same reason it retains fat: your body thinks that it's hard to come by. If you teach your body that food is abundant, it will stop storing it. If you teach your body that water is abundant by drinking more of it, your body will stop storing it. For more information on how your body adapts to various stimuli, read my articles about adaptation on my website, they're free.
Other Benefits
The more water you drink the healthier your skin becomes, because it has to be moisturized from the inside and out. It also contributes to joint lubrication, reducing the risk of injury in any activity. Water is the best cure for constipation, and should be your first choice, even before increasing fiber or taking laxatives.
When you are active, you should drink even more water, especially on hot days, to replace what you lose in sweat. Do not wait until you're thirsty, because that is your body telling you that it is already under-hydrated. Try to keep yourself over-hydrated for best health. Here's an extra tip: cold water is more easily absorbed into your system, plus it slightly lowers your body temperature, so you have to burn a few extra calories to bring your body temperature back up.
I Drink Plenty of Coffee, That's Mostly Water, Right?
What counts as water? Some say "only water", but some research has found that fruit juices that are mostly water can be counted towards your daily quota. However, you simply can't drink as much juice as you can water. Juice will fill you up, and contains sugar which you should try to minimize in your diet. So, it's really not a substitute for simple, clear water. And even though coffee is made with mostly water, it does not count since it is a diuretic and actually strips water from your system. Colas are also full of that diuretic caffeine, besides their ultra-high sugar content, so soft drinks should be the first item to stop consuming if you're trying to lose weight. Replace those "alternatives" with a glass of water, and you'll feel better and start losing pounds and inches.
It was recently found that even diet sodas do not help dieters, go to the "news" section of my site to read more about this research.
I hope it goes without saying that alcohol, even when mixed with water, is a diuretic and my advice is to minimize your consumption of alcoholic drinks.
Final Tip
You don't have to drink a huge glass or two all at once, either. I have a large glass of water at my desk all day. As soon as it is empty, I refill it. I naturally sip it whenever I like, and I end up drinking more than my quota of water every day.
***
David McCormick is the founder of Weightless Products. His Mr. Weightless site is dedicated to free weight loss articles and advice, primarily targeted to men. There are no banners, no pop-ups, and you will never be asked for your email address. Mr. Weightless: Wait Less for Weight Loss!
http://www.weightlessproducts.com
Over two thirds of Americans are over weight, and half... Read More
As our country gains weight at an alarming rate, we... Read More
New gastric bypass patients say they miss food, they grieve... Read More
Dumping syndrome is an effective result of the gastric bypass... Read More
I'm sick of all the fad diets I see people... Read More
If you want to reduce your body fat, focus on... Read More
Like many people I've been on dozens of diet plans... Read More
Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More
Is this even possible?Well hold on to your seat because... Read More
I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More
One of the most important things you can do for... Read More
The purpose of this article is not to scrutinize, vilify,... Read More
Fat burning exercise is not merely one that will burn... Read More
I want to talk about the "all or nothing" outlook... Read More
Cellulite is probably one of the most embarrassing of all... Read More
The Order of Energy UtilizationBack to our table of stored... Read More
Some of my dieting tips are not conventional. You can... Read More
As much as many of us who are over-weight do... Read More
Ok... If you are reading this is because you do... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
In the battle to look good, there's a cosmetic treatment... Read More
Franchised Business Models and American Diets could be at odds.... Read More
Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle... Read More
The goal of many athletes and exercisers is to "get... Read More
Cleansing: How to Kickstart your Alkaline LifestyleDue to the highly... Read More
insured cleaning company Wilmette ..In March 2003 our then 13 year old daughter, Helen,... Read More
Ok... If you are reading this is because you do... Read More
All of the things we tell sick people so that... Read More
Losing Weight quickly and easily has become one of the... Read More
Flip through a magazine, scan a newspaper, or channel surf... Read More
You have been on diets before. You probably have lost... Read More
You could try one of the many sexual enhancement drugs... Read More
One thing's for sure, in this day & age, if... Read More
Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular... Read More
Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge... Read More
Teenagers with body mass indices between 25 and 30 require... Read More
"Help, none of this mainstream stuff works!"There is a specific... Read More
Food manufacturers can easily manipulate a whole population by the... Read More
1. Include in your diet things that contain more water... Read More
Fat is fuel. That is basically what it is. A... Read More
Are you Telling Yourself It's Too Hard to Lose Weight?Telling... Read More
The best way to lose weight is by consuming fewer... Read More
I want to talk to you about cows and what... Read More
Once there were these two Nuns and they...just kidding! Do... Read More
Cellulite is probably one of the most embarrassing of all... Read More
It is well known that about two-thirds of the U.S.... Read More
* Not walking on a treadmill everyday for 45 minutes... Read More
Are you one of those who hate dieting? Well, you... Read More
Lose a pound of fat? what does it take? Not... Read More
I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More
Weight Loss |