Drink water to lose weight? This could be a big factor!

It is widely known that most of us do not drink enough water, I know for sure I didn't used to!

Most diets and dieting books I have come across suggest you drink water to lose weight. There are many reasons for this including improving digestion and curbing appetite. There is little scientific evidence to back any of these claims up, but I know for sure, I am less hungry if I drink more water.

Drinking more water will also aid the removal of salt from the body. Salt can also cause the body to hold onto water.

Your body is around two thirds water and needs a constant supply. If it doesn't get this supply it goes into “holding mode”.

When in holding mode your body does everything it can to try and hold onto as much water as possible.

Whilst your body is holding onto this water, it will show up as extra weight. In some more extreme circumstances, your feet, legs and hands may swell up. Once your body gets sufficient water, this additional stored water is released.

Your body loses water constantly through going the toilet and sweating. If this water is not replenished you will soon become dehydrated. When you are dehydrated your metabolism will slow down which will in turn slow down your weight loss.

How much water do I need to lose weight?

Most experts claim we should drink eight to ten glasses per day. That is all well and good, but how big is a glass? A glass should be around 8 ounces or ¼ of a liter.

However, in reality that is based on the average person. A bigger person will need more than a smaller person. A person who weighs 100 lbs will only need a third of the amount of water as a person who weighs 300 lbs.

To keep it simple, if you weigh 100lbs you would need around 6 glasses of water per day. If you weigh 200lbs, you would need 12 glasses. 300 lbs 18 glasses etc.

If it makes it easier to understand, a 1 ounce glass is about 230 milliliters.

Water tastes disgusting, Do I have to?

Drinking eight or more glasses of water doesn't sound too appealing at first, does it? I can totally relate to how you feel about the idea. I know the water where I live is loaded with chlorine and tastes nasty!

There are many ways you can make it easier for yourself.You don't have to start drinking all the water you need immediately, you can work up to it slowly.

You don't have to drink tap water on its own. One of the ways I get more fluids is to buy a very big glass.

I have always liked herbal teas, so I make cups of tea in the big glass. This had two advantages, firstly boiling water eliminated the nasty tasting chlorine from my water and the tea added a nice flavor to the drink. Naturalherbsguide.com is a nice resource that looks at different herbal teas and there health benefits.

Alternatively, some people like to put a slice of lemon in their water.

If you are not keen on herbal tea or lemons, another option is flavored water. There are many flavored water products out there nowadays.

There are many ways to get additional fluids into you, but one thing you need to be sure of is that by doing so you are not choosing a drink that has additional calories.

Most flavored drinks are fine, but be sure to read the label to make sure.

If your water is very chlorinated like mine. One option is to buy a water filter. They are inexpensive and can be purchased from most supermarkets or online at amazon.

Now you have thought about ways you can get more fluids into you. How about cutting out the high calorie drinks and replacing them with herbal teas, flavored water or any other low calorie drink that you like.

Drinking water not only helps you to lose weight in itself, it provides you with a great way to cut down on your calorie intake by finding alternatives to those high calorie drinks!

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