| Water suppresses the appetite naturally and
helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown
that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to
increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce
fat deposits.
Here's why: The kidneys can't function
properly without enough water. When they don't work to
capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver.
One of the liver's primary functions is to
metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body.
But, if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't
operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat,
more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.
Drinking enough water is the best treatment
for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it
perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to
every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the
cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands.
[Edema]
Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best.
They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients.
Again, the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost
water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition
quickly returns.
The best way to overcome the problems of water
retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water.
Only then will stored water be released.
If you have a constant problem with water
retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate
sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you
eat, the more water your system retains to dilute it.
But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy -
just drink more water. As it's forced through the kidneys,
it takes away excess sodium.
The overweight person needs more water than
the thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads.
Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it
follows that the overweight person needs more water.
Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by
giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by
preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the
sagging skin that usually follows weight loss - shrinking cells
are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear,
healthy and resilient.
Water helps rid the body of waste.
During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of
- all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate
water helps flush out the waste.
Water, can help relieve constipation.
When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs
from internal sources. The colon is one primary source.
Result? Constipation. But, when a person drinks
enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.
- So far, we've discovered
some remarkable truths about water and weight loss:
- The body will not function properly without
enough water and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently.
- Retained water shows up as excess weight.
- To get rid of excess water you must drink
more water.
- Drinking water is essential to weight loss.
How much water is
enough?
On the average, an adult should drink eight
8-ounce glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts. However, the
overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds
of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be
increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and
dry.
Water should preferably be cold - it's
absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. And
some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually
help burn calories.
When the body gets the water it needs to
function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced.
When this happens you have reached the "breakthrough
point." What does this mean?
- Endocrine-gland function improves.
- Fluid retention is alleviated -
stored water is lost.
- More fat is used as fuel because the liver
is free to metabolize stored fat.
Natural thirst returns.
- There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.
If you stop drinking enough water, your body
fluids will be thrown out of balance again, and you may
experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of
thirst. To remedy the situation you'll have to go back and
force another "breakthrough."
Weight Watchers-Lifeline
Magazine, Winter 1998
- The body does not have a strong thirst
mechanism to tell you when you are dehydrated-so a conscious
program to drink at least 8 eight-ounce glasses of water
daily is the best way of ensuring that we stay well
hydrated. Drink before you get thirsty. If you
wait until your body tells you that you're thirsty, it means
you are already slightly dehydrated and not drinking enough
water.
- The body and mind can be affected by even a
small water deficit. It can cause fatigue, minor
headaches and a general sense of not feeling mentally sharp.
- Water is the best means for hydration-water
is inexpensive, readily available and has no calories.
For every cup of coffee or tea, or each glass of an
alcoholic beverage, drink a glass of water.
- Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and
contribute to dehydration by causing us to excrete water, so
you need to balance them by drinking more water. Soft
drinks containing caffeine will also contribute to
dehydration.
- Increase water consumption when ill.
Drinking lots of water is one of the best protections
against getting sick and one of the best means of healing
when we're ill or just plain run down.
- You can tell if you are getting sufficient
water by simply checking the volume and color of your urine.
It should be clear to pale yellow in color, and there should
be lots of it. The darker it is, and the less
frequently you urinate, the more dehydrated your body likely
is.
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