Say it again!
Ahem…
So, I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but here it comes for me. Drink more water! The average person doesn’t drink near enough pure water. This is especially true for those carrying quite a few extra pounds. From research, it has been found that most Americans drink around 4 cups of water a day and then several more cups of liquids that aren’t water.
So, hey that at least means most people shouldn’t be straight out dehydrated. It also means, though, that you likely are taking in extra calories from that latte, chocolate milk, Coke or Powerade. You also are making your body filter more to get the water from these substances and, if they are caffeinated, you actually discount some of the positive effects the water gives.
How much should you aim for? Depending on your size, activity level, sweat output and natural tendencies your needed water level will vary. If you have a super lazy day, you may be fine with 5 or 6 cups in climate controlled space. If you are more than 20lbs of fat overweight, you may need to up that by a cup or two. If you are moderately active, ( more than 2 hours on your feet, walking 8000+ steps a day) you likely should be taking in 8-12 cups a day. If you sweat a lot, are very active ( More than 6 hours on your feet, 12,000+ steps), exercised extra hard, then you might need closer to a gallon of water a day.
Use your own judgement. How often are you going to the bathroom? If you are well hydrated you should urinate every 2-3 hours. Your skin will look generally healthier and fuller when you are well hydrated. The dark circles under your eyes generally will lighten some. Your nails will be stronger. Your urine color should lighten but vitamins or supplements can prevent that. Mostly, look on how you feel. It’s not impossible, but it’s very hard to drink too much water. Just try to consume it fairly evenly through the day. Too much too fast isn’t as good.
How can it help you lose weight, though?
Drinking cold water actually makes you burn more calories because it has to warm it. It helps you feel more full if you drink before, while or directly after eating. That generally means you eat less. Giving your body what it needs means it works less hard in that fashion and can focus on building muscle. Remember, muscles also take more calories to maintain, therefore you will burn more. If you have to get up to go the bathroom every couple hours, at least you are on your feet moving that often. Oh, and adding lime juice to warm water is actually supposed to aide digestion and boost health in several ways.
Water is just good for you and should be a focus of not only weight loss but good health.
Keep it Going
-Kimmie
Losing 100 plus pounds 