Water is the single most important catalyst in losing weight and
keeping it off. Almost one-half of Canadians are either obese or
overweight; in the United States a staggering 70% are overweight. These
statistics corroborate other studies, which show that most North
Americans do not drink nearly enough water. Proper hydration (8 - 8ounce
glasses of water/ day) is critical to any weight loss program. You
should also drink an extra glass of water for every 25 pounds of excess
weight. Even mild dehydration will slow down the metabolism by as much
as 3% causing fat deposits to increase.
Some nutrition counselors
and fitness professionals use whole body, bio-impedance, body
composition analyzers that can provide accurate readouts of body fat,
lean mass and body water as part of their recommendations for a weight
loss or fitness program. In order to effectively implement a weight loss
program it is critical to accurately monitor these elements in order to
achieve long- term results. Many diets will result in loss of body
water or a combination of a loss of body water and loss of lean muscle
mass. This will lower the metabolism, resulting in a reduced caloric
intake requirements for weight loss maintenance. As it becomes more and
more difficult to maintain this lowered caloric intake, the weight is
ultimately regained, usually in the form of excess fat. Other health
problems may also be experienced due to lack of proper hydration. An
effective weight loss program should combine plenty of water, aerobic
and anaerobic exercise and a moderate, well-balanced caloric intake that
is not less than your basal metabolic rate. This type of regime will
result in a gradual loss of fat while building lean mass and maintaining
proper hydration. Regular body composition testing during the weight
loss program will ensure that fat is being lost, while proper hydration
maintained and muscle mass increased.
Water assists weight loss in the following way:
• Suppresses appetite
• Assists the body in metabolizing fat - if the kidneys are overloaded due to insufficient water, the liver, which normally metabolizes fat, must take over the kidney's job
• Reduces fat deposits in the body
• Relieves fluid retention problems
• Reduces sodium buildup
• Helps maintain muscle tone
• Rids the body of wastes and toxins
• Relieves constipation
• Assists the body in metabolizing fat - if the kidneys are overloaded due to insufficient water, the liver, which normally metabolizes fat, must take over the kidney's job
• Reduces fat deposits in the body
• Relieves fluid retention problems
• Reduces sodium buildup
• Helps maintain muscle tone
• Rids the body of wastes and toxins
• Relieves constipation
When you are dehydrated, the body is
forced to draw whatever water it can from the intestines and bowel,
causing constipation. In addition, if the kidneys do not have enough
water to dissipate waste, the liver will assist in the job. Normally the
liver functions to metabolize stored fat. However, when the liver helps
the kidneys function, some fat will not metabolize, which then
contributes to weight gain. One of water's most important roles is to
aid in the elimination of waste from the body, which is a substantial
task during fat metabolism, as toxins tend to accumulate quickly.
Ensuring that the body is well hydrated helps the colon function
properly, which in turn supports fat loss.
Water is a natural
appetite suppressant. Cravings are often misinterpreted as food
cravings, when they are really thirst cravings. If you are not drinking
enough water over an extended period of time your thirst mechanism shuts
down, especially as you grow older. As you increase your regular water
intake this thirst signal reactivates and lets you know the difference
between a water and a food craving. It will also be easier to drink more
water thereafter. In a University of Washington study it was found that
a glass of water would suppress hunger pangs for 98% of dieters. It
keeps the taste buds cleansed of flavours that could otherwise trigger
cravings, and keeps your stomach feeling full.
Cold water, below
60 degrees, is absorbed by the body more quickly than room temperature
water. In addition, cold water results in fat calories being burned to
bring the water temperature up to internal body temperature of 98.6
degrees F. Your body will burn 31 calories bringing a quart of icy water
to body temperature. Some people find that they may experience stomach
cramps from this, so experiment to see if your body will adjust to this.
Many
dieters do not drink enough water because they fear that it will lead
to water retention. The opposite is actually the case. When the body
gets insufficient amounts of water, it senses this as a threat and holds
on to every drop. This results in swollen feet, legs and hands. Studies
show that when you drink enough water, the body eliminates excess
fluids. When your body is breaking down fats it needs even more water to
help eliminate the extra waste that is produced.
Water helps to
maintain proper muscle tone, which in turn aids proper muscle
contraction and prevents 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.
The American College of Sports Medicine notes that
drinking an extra 2 liters of water per day while dieting will maximize
the loss of fat as a percentage of total weight loss. Drinking more
water will prove to be the simplest, least expensive, most powerful and
longest lasting key to long-term fat reduction.
Further information about water, as it pertains to your health, can be found at:
http://www.verawatersolutions.com/water-university
Contact: christine[@]verawatersolutions[dot]com
http://www.verawatersolutions.com/water-university
Contact: christine[@]verawatersolutions[dot]com
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