ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: APRIL 2023
Water, Water, Water! The benefits of drinking water could help with weight loss, digestion, and muscle function. There are still going debates between the medical community and many theories on how water influences weight loss. Researchers are still unsure why drinking more water helps a person to lose weight, but many studies show some positive correlation between increased water consumption and weight loss. It is not water alone, you still need to be active with exercise, and maintain healthy eating, which have all been covered in past articles.
Your brain receives a signal from the stomach when it is full, which makes it difficult for the body to distinguish the difference between hunger and thirst. In actuality, you may be showing signs of thirst over hunger, so grab a nice glass of water instead of that snack. Infusing your water with fresh lemon and/or lime adds an extra twist to the taste. Studies have shown that drinking 8 ounces of water 30 minutes before your meals could also help to cut back on over eating. The water consumption fills up that empty space of hunger. By replacing sugary beverages with water, you could help reduce your caloric intake, which again can assist with weight management. You may want to challenge yourself by replacing two or more high-caloric drinks with non-caloric water for a few months and watch some of your water weight diminish leaving you feeling less bloated. Those of you that enjoy carbohydrates will defiantly need to drink water in order to metabolize fat properly and carbohydrates. In other words drinking water is essential for burning fat.
The recommendation is to drink at least 1 to 2 liters daily, however it also depends on your size and weight, and also on your activity level and the climate of where you are located. Try to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, daily. If you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 to 150 ounces of water a day. If you are living in a hot climate and frequently exercise, you would range on the higher end of water consumption. Those of you who live in a cooler climate and mostly sedentary, you would require the lower end of the ounces of water. Water is utilized by our bodies to assist our joints, connective tissue, and muscles. During exercise, the lungs, heart, and other organs rely on water. Not only that, water keeps you hydrated during exercise which reduces the risk of cramps, and fatigue. To avoid dehydration, sip on water before, during and after exercise, especially if you are exercising outdoors on a sunny, hot, and humid day. One of the most important components of any weight loss plan is exercise, so sip on plenty of water during any physical activities. Our bodies need to release waste, such as urine and feces.
Toxins in our body can become very dangerous and cause other health complications. Water helps the kidneys to filter toxins and waste while the organ retains essential nutrients and electrolytes. Carrying a reusable water bottle, or a few bottles of water in the car is a great way of measuring your water intake. Also, keep a glass or bottle of water next to your bed side. Remember before you grab the sugary drink full of calories, reach for a glass, or bottle of water and sip away. Before you decide the best amount of water to drink daily, check with your primary care physician. For a consultation on weight loss management along with an exercise routine, please email me at mwhstone@gmail.com or Instagram, mstone_ifbbpro