If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing many people find to do when they start a weight-loss program?", I would have to say right near the top of the list is this - they don't drink enough water!
Few people realize at first just how essential water is to the success of their weight-loss program. In fact, the essential place of water in our diet extends to everyone - whether they want to lose weight, gain weight or stay the same weight! We all know we can't live without water, but just why is it so important? Well there are many reasons. Read on and discover why water can help your loss weight and why it is your essential life-force.
Apart from 60-70% of your body being composed of water, water has an extensive range of functions essential to life.
. Assists digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. If you don't drink enough water you can't get the full benefit of nutrients in the food you eat.
. Assists excretion of waste from bowel and kidneys. If you don't drink enough water you get constipated and put your kidneys under stress.
. Regulates body temperature. If you don't drink enough water you compromise the evaporation process you skin uses to keep you cool.
. Your blood is 92% water. This is your body's transport system distributing nutrients around the body.
. Body secretions and digestive juices are almost entirely water.
Why should you drink water when you want to lose weight?
Water is a natural appetite suppressant. Do NOT underestimate the power of this statement. Lack of water can lead to over eating. You brain does not differentiate between hunger and thirst. So, when you think you are feeling hungry, your body may in fact be signaling to you that you are thirsty! If you are not consuming enough water each day and you feel hunger pains, chances are, your body really is crying out for water. In many instances people will find what they thought were hunger pangs were in fact, satisfied by water. Try it! You have nothing to lose, except some weight.
How do you know whether you are drinking enough water each day? Well the answer is not difficult. The average person needs around 6-8 large glasses every day.
Well then, how should you drink the 6-8 glasses per day? The aim is to drink water consistently. If you drink too much all at once or too fast, it will simply pass through you, with little or no benefit to your body.
If you are someone who enjoys the 'taste' of water, then perhaps you could fill a 1 litre empty soft drink container with water the drink through it twice during the day. Room temperature or cold water, even warm as some people like - whatever you prefer. Place it on the desk at work in front of you as a constant reminder to sip continuously throughout the day.
Other people find they need a water 'diet' to help them keep on track. So for you, here is a program easily followed to ensure you are well hydrated every single day.
. When you wake up you will often be thirsty because your body loses water while you are sleeping through breathing and perspiration. Drink a large glass of water with a slice of lemon for zing.
. Drink another glass of water with breakfast or a cup of herbal tea before setting off the day.
. Mid morning - snack on a piece of juicy fruit such as orange, watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew. Have a glass of water and perhaps try a dash of herbal aloe juice which is wonderfully soothing to the digestive system.
. Lunch - think of soup or have a glass of water before your meal, or perhaps a herbal tea.
. Mid afternoon - While you are preparing your evening meal, drink a glass of water and snack on some crunchy fresh vegetables.
. Evening - Sip a glass of water before your meal with a dash of your favourite fruit juice for flavour.
. After dinner - before bedtime drink your final glass of water and sleep well!
A few changes will happen when you start out with your water program. Obviously you may find that you need to 'spend a penny' more often. Why? Because you body isn't used to being well hydrated.
There is absolutely is no doubt about it. When you start drinking enough water regularly, there are great benefits. You may notice your skin significantly improve and even tired muscles will thank you. Many people find their energy is increased and constipation and headaches are reduced, as well as hunger pains.
Now here's the really exciting part?many people notice a reduction in weight and centimetres, as their body's water store become redundant and so decrease. If your diet has been one that did not provide you with adequate water, your body will have developed a pattern of storing water. It's part of the body's in-built survival mechanism - to store up the essential nutrients in short supply?just in case they aren't available in the future. So if you don't drink enough water, you are 'conditioning' your body to store water. And water is bulk and unwanted centimetres.
It's so simple...drink water! 6-8 large glasses a day.
How do you know if you are not getting enough water each day? This is a really important question because so many of us have deprived ourselves of water for years that we have become accustomed to doing without the full amount of water our body requires and we don't recognise the symptoms of thirst.
. The most common symptom is headaches. A major function of water is to flush toxins from the body. Your brain is 75% water, so even being slightly dehydrated can cause headaches.
. Poor concentration/fatigue. If you body can't get rid of the toxins it will struggle and you will feel less energetic as your body diverts energy to deal with the toxins.
. Constipation. Your body will divert water to more essential functions and as a result your stools will be harder and more difficult to expel.
. Reduced urine output or dark urine. Did you know that up to 200 litres of water is passed through your kidneys daily? Without a fresh supply of water for the kidneys to filter waste products out of the blood, your urine will become darker.
. Furry tongue or bad breath. If you don't have enough water passing through the mouth to wash away food particles, bacteria can proliferate and result in that 'furry' feeling or bad breath.
. Skin. Your skin should feel elastic. When you pinch the skin on the back of your hand it should snap back instantly.
Final thoughts. Caffeinated drinks cause the body to lose water. They are what's known as diuretics as they cause your body to dehydrate. You will do your body an enormous favour by cutting back. For every cup of coffee you drink you will need to drink another TWO glasses of water to counter the diuretic effect. Explore the world of herbal teas instead, you may be pleasantly surprised!
(c) Copyright Kim Beardsmore
Kim Beardsmore enjoys working from home. Are you interested in earning money from home? We're looking for individuals who have weight to lose to join our team of work-at-home-ers. If you're serious about earning money from home, are willing to work (this isn't 'get rich quick'), and have an interest in becoming healthy...then we'd like to help you grow a profitable business. We offer complete training, online and offline resources and a partnership for success. http://free2liv.com/?refid=ea-567883376
limousine Ackley .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareLosing weight is a struggle that many of us face... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
Twenty years ago, I did not expect to accomplish what... Read More
In twenty years of consistant exercising, maintaining a low percentage... Read More
What to Do with the Leftovers?Okay, tell me if you've... Read More
Don't diet, just eat and lose weight!First, the following "diet"... Read More
I did it without starving myself or taking pills. How... Read More
As much as many of us who are over-weight do... Read More
Any doctor worth their salt will tell you diets don't... Read More
Please feel free to comment, to provide good information and... Read More
Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More
Not everyone can handle hot food. But who said cayenne... Read More
Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More
The pursuit of a healthier me (or you) shouldn't involve... Read More
Are you or your family members amongst the 65%?To help... Read More
If you are like everyone else who has hit rock... Read More
Most men and women that I have trained over the... Read More
People always ask me " how it is that your... Read More
Dieting and weight loss is almost certainly the most lucrative... Read More
Humanity is always in search of a wonder drug that... Read More
Do you know anybody who does not wish to get... Read More
If you are looking for a way to lose fifteen... Read More
Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like... Read More
When you hear a doctor or a personal trainer say,... Read More
Good health is an invaluable bliss and you cannot simply... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare Alexander ..If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More
You've done everything right this time. You're eating lots of... Read More
I wonder how much it is generally known that the... Read More
The diary is an essential help in reaching your weight... Read More
Stop Being Influenced by Food Ads on TVThere is much... Read More
The rediscovery of the wealth of the wonder drug Hoodia... Read More
ATTITUDESIT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!Exercising has so many physical benefits that... Read More
If all we have to do is exercise to live... Read More
Patrick Henry once said, "I have but one lamp by... Read More
You could try one of the many sexual enhancement drugs... Read More
Are you one of the 90 million Americans who are... Read More
Looking for Diet Programs on net is like looking for... Read More
How to Break Your PlateauToday is a typical morning like... Read More
To understand how surgical procedures aid the grossly overweight person... Read More
Weight loss specialists will tell you that attitude has a... Read More
If you've been pursuing a lighter, healthier version of yourself,... Read More
Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More
Here are the 4 things you need to know about... Read More
You may have read the old stories about how much... Read More
Have you ever wondered how actors stay in such great... Read More
With the popularity of low carb diets such as Atkins,... Read More
Low Carb diets have become as popular as apple pie... Read More
Dieting will continue to fail most dieters, unless personalized weight... Read More
Many physical problems are related to obese condition, like difficulties... Read More
Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More
Weight Loss |