The Most Under-Rated Aspect of Weightloss

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

---

Gastric Bypass Surgery - Is It Right For You?

When we hear all the success stories of the gastric... Read More

98 Percent of Dieters Fail: A Sensible Lifestyle is the Answer

What the Diet Industry Does Not Want You To Know:... Read More

7 Part Plan To Beating Childhood Obesity

Everyone from politicians to parents is talking about fighting the... Read More

How to Lose Weight On A Gluten Free Diet

Many celiacs lose weight before they are diagnosed; indeed it... Read More

On-line Weight Watchers Diet Helper for Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and Mobile Phones

At the beginning of December, WeightWatchers.com announced the release of... Read More

Myth: Gastric Bypass Patients Can Never Be Nutritionally Healthy

A common claim from gastric bypass detractors is that after... Read More

Dropping The Carbs - The Pros and Cons of Ketogenic Dieting

We must all now be familiar with the Atkins Diet.... Read More

Hoodia ? Its Basic Nature Part 3

Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant found thousands of miles away... Read More

Dieting? Want and Desire are Dangerous

This is a very important topic that needs to be... Read More

Dieting? Upgrading Your Non-Conscious Mind ? Part 2

To upgrade the current software in your brain you can... Read More

3 Fast Weight Loss Tips That Work

Looking to lose some pounds quickly? Fast and safe weight... Read More

Gastric Bypass Surgery ? How Fast Will I Lose The Weight?

The gastric bypass procedure isn't for everyone, but those who've... Read More

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders

As parents who've had gastric bypass we face many challenges... Read More

Developing Mental Toughness For Permanent Weight Loss

Losing weight and keeping it off is much more than... Read More

What Obesity Debate?

This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More

Effects of Exercise on the Relationship Between Low Self-Esteem and Obesity in Children (May 2000)

IntroductionObesity is the most common health problem facing children today.... Read More

Simply Weight Loss -- Losing Weight is Easy if You Stop Dieting

In theory, if you're starving, exercising less helps conserve energy.... Read More

The Mysterious Dr. Atkins Death

Dr. Atkins death was unexpected. On 8 April 2003, he... Read More

Dont Be Misled. The Best Attitude and Action for Weight Loss

Weight loss can be one of the most difficult things... Read More

Resistance Training First; Fat Burning Second for Weight Loss

Most men and women that I have trained over the... Read More

Free Tips on Losing Weight

Here are a few free tips on losing weight that... Read More

10 Surefire Ways To Survive Eating Out

I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More

Diet Preparaton -- The Impact of Sleep and Stress

When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More

Youll Need Total Will Power To Undergo Weight Loss

How much will power does it take in order to... Read More

Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Stomach Blockage: How to Avoid This

In a gastric bypass the connection between he stomach pouch... Read More

When is a Diet not a Diet? When Its a Lifestyle!

Dieting and weight loss is almost certainly the most lucrative... Read More

Law of Attraction Resolves Diet Controversy

Who'd have thought healthy eating could be so controversial? Lunching... Read More

Winning at Post-Partum Weight Loss: Six Simple Strategies for New Moms ? Part 2

A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #14

You know what is so amazing? We get to keep... Read More

Weight Loss - Make a Significant and Lasting Lifestyle Change

Losing weight can make a significant and life altering change... Read More

Pizza, French Fries, Beer and Other Diet Foods

Now this is the real American Dream! I'm here to... Read More

How To Burn Fat Fast: Go For Speedy-Burn, Not Crash-Burn

How to burn fat fast is a question that burns... Read More

The Most Under-Rated Aspect of Weightloss

If I were asked, "what is the most difficult thing... Read More