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
Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things... Read More
Are you considering a low carb diet? If so you... Read More
Throughout my childhood and teenage years I watched as my... Read More
Mindfulness is all about paying attention. It's amazing what can... Read More
This Article was originally Published in The July 2004 Issue... Read More
Not everyone can handle hot food. But who said cayenne... Read More
Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More
Food cravings are crafty -- they appear from nowhere and... Read More
It's always great to find a protein supplement with very... Read More
You gain weight when your calorie intake is more than... Read More
I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
There are many subscriber programs available both online and in... Read More
Have you heard about it lately? Everywhere you look, women... Read More
Why was the FDA trying to hide the facts about... Read More
Make sure you check out the meaning of many common... Read More
America is getting more obese every year. Even our children... Read More
Some of you will not like what I'm going to... Read More
When you hear a doctor or a personal trainer say,... Read More
The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More
Building a Perfect Body for Body Perfect Fitness and Health... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a best selling... Read More
Remember there's more to you than meets the eye. You've... Read More
I get asked all the time, "what do you think... Read More
Ever heard of the expression, "Getting up on the wrong... Read More
Food cravings can be triggered by various things including low... Read More
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..I was thinking about diets and such and it occurred... Read More
Diet and Exercise. They are the inseparable twins that are... Read More
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You're... Read More
Control that sweet tooth. Remember that sweet things generally mean... Read More
No doubt about it, when we feel stressed we want... Read More
Changing habits is one of the most difficult challanges we... Read More
Did you know that being successful with losing weight starts... Read More
Everyone is looking for the secret to losing weight. Everyone... Read More
Not only was I fat, I was in poor health... Read More
As I explained in the first part of this article,... Read More
For sometime now, you've been hearing about the Milk Diet... Read More
It seems like everywhere you turn, there is someone trying... Read More
Frankly, I'm puzzled whenever I hear this from somebody who's... Read More
When embarking on a weight loss program people will almost... Read More
I've talked to quite a few fellow gastric bypass patients... Read More
ObesityToday, 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are... Read More
We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health.... Read More
Have You Given Up on Weight Loss? by Greg Landry,... Read More
Losing fat in my opinion is not all that difficult.... Read More
In the early nineties doctors were beginning to see the... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
Yes it's true- and so unfair. As we get older... Read More
As a weight loss mentor it never ceases to amaze... Read More
First? establish realistic goals. Start with a target you can... Read More
With all of the conflicting studies and fuzzy interpretation of... Read More
Weight Loss |