Water Consumption (Article copied from Sparkpeople)
You may think, we know this, but I know from many of my post-WLS friends, that as we get further out, we need to be reminded of some of the basics and got back in the caffiene habit; so I thought I'd post it for all of us to be reminded. I also have a personal reason to be reminded, as when the seasons change, I have a hard time getting in the water, so I will be sure to start packing my bag with decaffienated teas and the like as yesterday I had a bout of dizziness that lasted me a good part of the morning, it was pretty scary and when I took a close look over the 3 prior days, I realized, my consumption of caffiene was higher and my water/decaf fluids were off the mark, once I took in a quart of water, the dizziness went away. . .
-- By Zach Van Hart, Staff Writer
Is water important? Well let’s see, other than making up 50%-60% of our bodies, regulating body temperature, helping our breathing, transporting nutrients, carrying away waste and helping our muscles function, water is pretty much useless. Oh, and you need water or, after three days without it, you’ll die.
So in other words, water is pretty darn essential. It can even be an extremely important (and often unappreciated) weight loss factor.
Somehow, though, water is one of the most neglected parts of our diet. Some of us possibly go an entire day at times without one glass! Every part of your body is dependent on and comprised of water, and the most important parts need even more. Your brain is made up of 75% water, your blood 82% and your lungs nearly 90%.
Besides being a vital component of your body, water also helps to reduce weight. The more hydrated you are, the quicker your metabolism works. When you are dehydrated – even before you start becoming thirsty – your liver has to help the kidneys function and can’t metabolize fat as quickly. Your metabolism slows down, causing some unwanted fat to remain.
If your body is used to not getting water, it actually stores more in ankles, hips and thighs. In other words, it doesn’t trust you to keep bringing water, so it keeps what it can get, like a thirsty cactus. Once it realizes the water will keep coming, your body will get rid of the stores and you’ll lose weight!
Plus, if you’re suffering from cravings or having trouble controlling hunger, drinking water is a quick, healthy way to feel full. Drink a glass when you normally snack, and have one before your meal and right before going out.
Staying hydrated is not restricted to drinking water; milk, juice and other liquids – even some fruits and vegetables – are good sources of water. But avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, soda), as they actually cause you to lose fluids and become dehydrated.
The recommended daily amount of water is eight cups a day, but don’t feel bad if you have neglected your water intake. Even if you constantly drink coffee or soda, you can make some simple changes to increase the water in your diet. Here are just a few ways to get more water every day:
Water is a Secret Ingredient
Water: The Wild Card of Weight Loss-- By Zach Van Hart, Staff Writer
Is water important? Well let’s see, other than making up 50%-60% of our bodies, regulating body temperature, helping our breathing, transporting nutrients, carrying away waste and helping our muscles function, water is pretty much useless. Oh, and you need water or, after three days without it, you’ll die.
So in other words, water is pretty darn essential. It can even be an extremely important (and often unappreciated) weight loss factor.
Somehow, though, water is one of the most neglected parts of our diet. Some of us possibly go an entire day at times without one glass! Every part of your body is dependent on and comprised of water, and the most important parts need even more. Your brain is made up of 75% water, your blood 82% and your lungs nearly 90%.
Besides being a vital component of your body, water also helps to reduce weight. The more hydrated you are, the quicker your metabolism works. When you are dehydrated – even before you start becoming thirsty – your liver has to help the kidneys function and can’t metabolize fat as quickly. Your metabolism slows down, causing some unwanted fat to remain.
If your body is used to not getting water, it actually stores more in ankles, hips and thighs. In other words, it doesn’t trust you to keep bringing water, so it keeps what it can get, like a thirsty cactus. Once it realizes the water will keep coming, your body will get rid of the stores and you’ll lose weight!
Plus, if you’re suffering from cravings or having trouble controlling hunger, drinking water is a quick, healthy way to feel full. Drink a glass when you normally snack, and have one before your meal and right before going out.
Staying hydrated is not restricted to drinking water; milk, juice and other liquids – even some fruits and vegetables – are good sources of water. But avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, soda), as they actually cause you to lose fluids and become dehydrated.
The recommended daily amount of water is eight cups a day, but don’t feel bad if you have neglected your water intake. Even if you constantly drink coffee or soda, you can make some simple changes to increase the water in your diet. Here are just a few ways to get more water every day:
- Find the water bottles with pop tops. They’re easier to carry around and use than twist off caps.
- Keep a water bottle in the car.
- Take a water break instead of a smoke break at work.
- Set a rule with your water glass: once it’s empty, it gets filled back up right away.
- Drink orange juice or eat fruit in the morning.
- Get two water bottles, one for work and one for home. Fill up one every day when you leave to go home, and fill up the other before you go to bed each night.
- Order water at restaurants instead of soda. Even if you have something else to drink, have water too.
- Weekends are the toughest, so be aware of your water and fluid intake throughout Saturday and Sunday. Keep more than one water bottle in the fridge so you always have a cold one.
- Follow the example of a SparkPeople member: this woman put a water glass on her windowsill with 8 pennies on one side. Each time she filled up her glass and drank it, she moved a penny to the other side, until all the pennies were moved. Great reminder system!
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
The one thing that actually stuck with me thru all my years of going to Weigh****chers was drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day - I'm better at work because I keep a big mug of ice water on my desk all day - yeah, I drink it thru a straw but it beats spilling it all over my desk - LOL!! Weekends are a little tougher because I'm always busy doing stuff, but I try to stop between chores or jobs and have a big glass.
I confess to having my large sugar free vanilla iced coffee from Micky D's every morning - I'm hooked, but that's the extent of my caffeine intake for the day...
Amd yes, I always know when my water consumption is down - it affects EVERYTHING.
I confess to having my large sugar free vanilla iced coffee from Micky D's every morning - I'm hooked, but that's the extent of my caffeine intake for the day...
Amd yes, I always know when my water consumption is down - it affects EVERYTHING.
'One shoe can change your life'...Cinderella
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