Control Your Weight

According to Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index, 63.1% of American adults are either overweight or obese.

So many people don't realize how nature's most abundant beverage helps the body to maintain a healthy weight. Hunger can be painful and diets can be torture. The morbidly obese may need to get their weight down before they can even start an exercise program. Many people (such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, hypoglycemics, the chronically ill and those recovering from an illness, birth or surgery) shouldn't decrease calories to lose weight. Mother nature has given us the most helpful (and cheap) weight loss aid in the world. Water.

The December, 2003 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reported a study done that showed a 30% increase in metabolic rate in participants 30 minutes after drinking 17 ounces of water. In other words, drinking water increases the rate in which the body burns calories. We can only deduce that drinking water throughout the day will keep the metabolism increased throughout the day. A non water drinker who burns 1800 calories a day can easily burn 2400 calories a day by drinking water before meals and throughout the day.

Drinking water before meals decreases the amount of calories you eat by filling up your stomach. Furthermore, the human body often mistakes hunger for thirst. Both are triggered by the hypothalamus in the brain, so drink before you eat.

It is estimated that 75-80% of us suffer from energy loss due to minor dehydration. A 5% drop in body fluids will cause a 25-30% loss of energy for most people. Many who suffer from "unexplained" chronic fatigue can feel better by drinking more water.

Fact: Some of the fat you eat binds to some of the fiber you eat and is flushed through your body, undigested, with the help of water. Of course, we all need to eat more fiber, but fiber will not help us unless we drink plenty of water.

• Aim for a daily intake of 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds you weigh.
• Drink cold. Your body burns calories warming it up.
• Drink upon rising in the morning. This will start a good daily habit and provide energy.
• Drink before eating.
• Replace your sugary drinks with water and clear, water based beverages.
• Always keep cold water nearby, at work, at home and in the car.
  

Besides decreasing appetite, increasing metabolism, and giving energy, water is excellent for the skin. Plenty of water and a good sweaty workout will release toxins and clean pores. It can even help reduce acne. Hydrated body organs work better. Some people actually have kidney pain when dehydration kicks in. Water regulates body temperature and will protect you from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It protects against muscle cramps and can ease headache. Water is natures remedy for constipation. Some studies show that people who drink adequate amounts of water have a lower risk of developing bladder and colon cancer.

So drink up!