Drink More Water
It is often said that there are no easy, quick-fix solutions to losing weight, but drinking water is definitely an exception to this rule.
A well hydrated body performs all functions more quickly and efficiently, this includes fat metabolism. The organ predominantly responsible for converting stored fat into energy is the liver. The liver has to pick up slack for the kidneys if they are water-deprived and it's hard to do two jobs well. Staying hydrated keeps all bodily processes working optimally.
Water also reduces the appetite. Many people have lost their sense of thirst and mistake it for hunger. Drinking a glass of water will usually greatly reduce any false hunger pangs. Dehydration is also responsible for fatigue and listlessness which put you in the red zone for treat overload. Before you succumb to a craving it can be helpful to assess how you're doing with hydration. By the time you've had two glasses of water the craving might have passed.
A general rule of thumb for water is 8 glasses (2 litres) per day, with another glass for every coffee or alcoholic drink. Your actual requirement will depend on your weight, temperature and humidity of the environment and whether your diet is rich in water-dense or salt-dense foods. I usually recommend clients aim for three litres a day.
When you drink enough water your urine will usually be pale yellow. Remember that the water you drink while you are exercising doesn't count because its function is to immediately rehydrate the body.
Drinking enough water is only one part of the weight loss formula but it's a great one - it's free, it's easy, and once you're in a routine it's not time-consuming. It's a no-brainer really. If you're drinking 2 plus litres of water a day and eating your 5 plus fruit and vegetables, you'll speed up your metabolic rate and crowd out some food and drink choices that are high in fat/sugar and low in nutrients. You'll probably save money and improve your general health and energy levels as well. Getting into new habits can be tricky, check out these ideas for staying hydrated and healthy!
A well hydrated body performs all functions more quickly and efficiently, this includes fat metabolism. The organ predominantly responsible for converting stored fat into energy is the liver. The liver has to pick up slack for the kidneys if they are water-deprived and it's hard to do two jobs well. Staying hydrated keeps all bodily processes working optimally.
Water also reduces the appetite. Many people have lost their sense of thirst and mistake it for hunger. Drinking a glass of water will usually greatly reduce any false hunger pangs. Dehydration is also responsible for fatigue and listlessness which put you in the red zone for treat overload. Before you succumb to a craving it can be helpful to assess how you're doing with hydration. By the time you've had two glasses of water the craving might have passed.
A general rule of thumb for water is 8 glasses (2 litres) per day, with another glass for every coffee or alcoholic drink. Your actual requirement will depend on your weight, temperature and humidity of the environment and whether your diet is rich in water-dense or salt-dense foods. I usually recommend clients aim for three litres a day.
When you drink enough water your urine will usually be pale yellow. Remember that the water you drink while you are exercising doesn't count because its function is to immediately rehydrate the body.
Drinking enough water is only one part of the weight loss formula but it's a great one - it's free, it's easy, and once you're in a routine it's not time-consuming. It's a no-brainer really. If you're drinking 2 plus litres of water a day and eating your 5 plus fruit and vegetables, you'll speed up your metabolic rate and crowd out some food and drink choices that are high in fat/sugar and low in nutrients. You'll probably save money and improve your general health and energy levels as well. Getting into new habits can be tricky, check out these ideas for staying hydrated and healthy!