You’ve probably heard that drinking more water can help you lose weight. But does it really work? Yes, it can! Drinking water increases your metabolism, cleanses your body of waste and is an appetite suppressant.
If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ve already replaced drinks like soda and juice with water. What you might not be aware of is that drinking water before meals can help you lose weight. Drink a couple cups of water before eating, and you may eat less without even trying. Water fills you up and keeps you feeling full.
So what can you do to make sure you’re drinking eight-to-ten 8-ounce glasses every day to keep yourself hydrated and encourage weight loss?
- Drink before you eat. Water is an appetite suppressant, so having a drink before meals can make you feel fuller and reduce your food intake.
- Drink it cold. Drinking ice cold water helps increase your metabolism because your body has to work to warm the water up, this burns calories and helps you to lose weight.
- Hit the gym. Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramps plus it keeps your joints lubricated, so you can work out longer and harder. Just another way keeping hydrated helps you lose weight.
- Drink Water Every Two Hours. Spreading out your water consumption throughout the day will help your body stay hydrated. If you only consume water when you are thirsty then your body won’t get the fluids it needs and will retain the water weight. I actually set an alarm on my cell phone to remind myself to check my water intake.
- Add Flavor To Your Water. There are healthy alternatives to add flavor to water for those who have trouble drinking it plain. Avoid the fake sugars which are becoming popular as a zero calorie sweetener. Adding fruit and veggies to your water adds a lot of flavor. Try adding lemon, limes, grapefruit, oranges, berries, or even watermelon to water. Let the water and fruits sit for a period of time before you drink it.
- Drink Sparkling Water. Commonly known as carbonated water, this is an alternative for those who want to satisfy their soda cravings. If you are on a low-sodium diet, watch the sodium content in your sparkling water.
- Get Your Water In Soup. Soups can help boost your water consumption as well. Plan chilled fruit soups or gazpacho. Hot soups such as vegetable, minestrone, and lentil can be very nutritious. Be sure to focus on broth based soups and watch the sodium content.
Like many things, water requirements depend on the individual. Your daily intake of water is affected by many things including your age, weight, activity level, and the altitude where you live. You might need to drink more water if you exercise a lot or sweat heavily. Drinking water when you are thirsty is always smart, but you may also be dehydrated if you have a headache or are having trouble concentrating.
How do you know if you’re getting enough water? If you have dark yellow-colored urine then you need more fluids in your body. Healthy urine is light-colored. Drink a glass of water when you wake up in the morning and then about every two hours. Drink another glass of water after you use the restroom so that your body is replenished.
Water is a needed nutrient for a healthy body and drinking enough can help you feel better and look fantastic!
