Develop the habit of drinking water for weight loss and good health. It is important to remember thirst is not a good gauge of your body’s need for water. It is the last sign before dehydration. How many ounces are you drinking now?
There are lots of gauges as to how much you should drink. Some suggest that you drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. Another guide is to drink 1 oz for every 2 lbs. of your body weight. If you weight 200lbs, divide by 2. You should drink 100 ounces or 12.5 cups. So, the real goal is to drink more than you are drinking now.
What are the benefits of drinking water? For starters, it will:
A. Increase efficiency of every chemical reaction inside of your body. You need it to live!
B. Satisfy you and help you eat less. It will also decrease empty calories from sodas and other sugared drinks.
C. Help detoxify your body.
D. Boost metabolism – Water makes your metabolism burn calories 3% faster.
E. And so much more…
How do you increase your water intake? Start slowly if you don’t want to spend your day in the bathroom. I think having a nice cup or water bottle makes drinking water more inviting. It might be thermal cup or a crystal glass or both.
Here are ways to increase your water intake:
1. Start the day off right by drinking a glass of water. You are slightly dehydrated from sleeping. Then have your cup of coffee or tea with breakfast.
2. Drink water whenever you think you are hungry. Many times you are thirsty, not hungry.
3. Drink water when you feel sluggish or fuzzy. You may be wilting from dehydration. Add a flavor to make it more inviting.
4. Swap your soda or fruit juices for water or unsweetened beverages like green tea. Or add seltzer water to fruit juice for a spritzer.
5. Drink water at timed intervals. For example, drink a few ounces at the top of the hour.
6. Eat more vegetables with a higher water content. Water is water! An added benefit is that you will be increasing your fiber intake.
Boy, just writing this is making me thirsty! So just increase the amount of water you are drinking. Your body will start to crave it. Which one of these ideas are you going to try?
Tags: habit, healthy, metabolism, water
