"The Importance of Water in Achieving Weight Loss Goals"

It would be a blessing if we could get into the shower and come out a few pounds lighter. Just imagine if we could just wash all that pizza away.

Our body and the relation with excess pounds isn't always fat storage. Ever notice that when you start a weight loss diet, you lose the first five pounds faster than the rest?

When you feel puffy and squishy, your body might hang onto water weight.

Let's look at how drinking the right amount of water can help with water weight and then continue to help with all that other weight you wish to ditch.

Water is an essential nutrient, which means we need to provide water to our bodies to sustain life. 50-65% of total body weight is water, depending on age and gender.

The power of water:

• maintains body temperature

• helps move nutrients

• aids digestion

• helps absorption and circulation

• Helps with the excretion of wastes.

• The component in synovial fluid: lubricates joints, brain, spine, and nervous system.

• Aids in the transmission of light and sound

The body loses fluids daily through excretion, respiration, chemical reactions, and perspiration. On average, about 1 to 3 quarts.

A more significant amount of fluid intake is needed with:

• high protein diets

• caffeine intake

• alcohol intake

• excessive heat

• Illness

• stress

• Medications

By increasing fluid intake, the survival storage (when the body thinks it needs to store fluid because it is not getting what it needs) response is effectively reversed, and excess water weight loss happens.

At least 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses daily will help with excess storage, fluid imbalances, and metabolic disorders.

Water is absorbed in the small intestine at a maximum rate of 8 to 10 ounces

every 20 minutes.

Cheat sheet: 64 ounces of water per day, and, add more if you are exercising, drinking coffee, or alcohol.

Remind yourself that when drinking water, your body is well lubricated and does not need to hoard excess fluid. Also, water will help things move and flow more accessible, even fat when you are trying to lose it.

Think of water as something that helps clean the body inside also.

Cheers

* I am horrible at getting enough water into me. I find that if you measure it, I do better. Also, throw lemon or cucumber or berries in it!