As much as 75% of adults suffer from mild, chronic
dehydration, a condition that dramatically works against
your weight loss efforts.
Discover why water consumption must be at the top of your
list in your quest for a fit, healthy and athletic body.
Though you probably don't think about it often, water is
the most essential element, next to air, to your survival.
The simple combination of two parts hydrogen, one part
oxygen makes up more than two thirds of your body and is
involved in a host of bodily functions that we routinely
take for granted.
Just to name a few:
* Water works to regulate the thermal condition of your body
* Water serves as a lubricant in your joints
* Water helps flush toxins from your blood
* Water gives your skin a clear, glowing complexion
* Water assists with digestion, pulling all the usable
nutrients out of foods
* Water aides in disease prevention (Drinking 8 glasses a
day has shown to reduce your chance of colon cancer by 45%
and bladder cancer by 50%)
What about fitness and fat-loss?
You've probably heard that you need to drink plenty of
water in order to drop weight, but did you ever wonder why?
What does water have to do with decreasing your calories
and increasing your activity level in an effort to shed
pounds?
1. Water is a natural appetite suppressant
Fill your stomach with a glass of water before each meal
and you will find that you won't eat as much. This also
works on snacking throughout the day, keep hydrated all day
long and watch as your desire to snack decreases.
2. Water increases your body's ability to efficiently
metabolize fat
This process begins with your kidneys receiving enough
water to function at their peak, which in turn helps your
liver reach optimal efficiency in removing toxins and waste
from your blood. With your liver working at maximum
capacity, fat will be metabolized at a higher rate. This
means a decrease in your overall body fat. (And who doesn't
want that?)
3. Water is the perfect substitute for high calorie
beverages
Want to super-charge your fitness results this summer?
Well, this is the most effective way to utilize water
toward your waist-shrinking efforts. Most of us consume
more than our share of calorie-packed beverages. Smoothies,
shakes, frozen mochas, soft drinks...you get the idea. When
you trade your high calorie beverages in for a tall glass
of water you will expedite your results in a major way.
The Other Side of the Story...
Now you know that drinking sufficient amounts of water will
help you reach your fitness goals faster than ever, but you
should also know that failing to drink enough water comes
with serious consequences...
* Your body will shift into "preserve" mode - which means
you will store more fat.
* Bodily functions will slow - leading to an overall
decrease in energy levels. * Headaches will become an
expected nuisance - your brain is over 70% water.
To avoid dehydration here are 5 Hydration Tips:
Tip #1: Caffeinated beverages - such as coffee, soft drinks
or energy drinks - cause your body to lose water. After you
enjoy a dose of caffeine replace the lost water by drinking
2 times that amount in water.
Tip #2: Add a slice of lemon to your water to spice things
up.
Tip #3: Always carry water with you throughout your day -
keep a bottle in the car, at your workplace and next to
your bed.
Tip #4: Exercise and hot summer days both increase your
body's water requirements - make a mental note to drink
before, during and after exercise or while out on a hot day.
Tip #5: Make it a habit to begin your day with a large
glass of water then drink a glass before each meal and one
between meals.
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Machelle Lee owns and operates The Invisible Gym in Santa
Cruz, CA. Her mission is to inspire people to become
physically active and enjoy the benefits of a balanced,
healthy lifestyle. For more information and questions you
can visit her website.
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