You may not know this but it is estimated that 75% of all Americans are Chronically Dehydrated. Most don’t even know it! This means that most of us are not drinking enough water in a day. Our bodies are 75% water. The brain alone is made up with 80%. We cannot function properly if we are not giving our body this core nutrient it needs to survive. I’m not talking soda or juice or caffeine, I’m talking pure and simple water. Caffeine actually acts as a diuretic and causes the body to lose water.
So are you chronically dehydrated? Some common symptoms are fatigue, constipation, heartburn, bloating, hunger and you guessed it, weight gain. One for sure sign to tell if you’re getting enough water is the color of your urine. Yes people, it should be clear! If it’s not, you are not getting enough water, plain and simple.
You may be asking yourself how water has anything to do with weight loss. Everyone knows someone who has dieted. It is estimated that over 45 million people in the US diet every year, yet most of them struggle and remain overweight or obese. Many of these people are overweight due to many factors relating to weight loss, such as unhealthy eating or lack of exercise, hereditary or stress. What most people don’t realize is how important water consumption is to a person’s overall health and well being.
When your body is chronically dehydrated your body stores water, usually around your middle because it doesn’t know when it will get more. This not only causes bloating but it causes water weight to build up. But that is not all! When you are thirsty (BTW, if you are ever thirsty, you are well past the dehydration stage) your mind often times relays that as hunger, causing you to consume more food. Most people cannot tell the difference between hungry and thirsty. Your body will take water from the foods you eat but it is not enough so you crave more food.
How much water do we need? That is also simple! The old 8 glasses a day idea just doesn’t work for everyone. So here’s an idea that just might. In order for a person to replenish and metabolize fully a person needs to drink half his/her body weight in ounces. This means that if a person weighs 160 lbs he/she need to consume 80 ounces of water each day. Keep in mind that if you are exercising or sweating, in higher temps, or taking medications you will need an increased amount of water.
Consuming this much water may seem like a tedious task especially if you are not used to drinking water regularly. Here are a few tips:
1. Start early. The earlier you start the more likely you are to finish your daily amount.
2. Keep a log. Record how much water you are consuming so you can keep track.
3. Carry a water bottle around. If it’s always there you are more likely to drink it.
4. Drink a full glass of water before meals. This will also keep you from eating too much at dinner.
5. Add a lemon slice.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Good luck! Your body will thank you in so many ways. –Melissa Stengel
