Drink Water to Lose Weight

There is a simple thing you can do right now that will help you lose some weight.  Drink more water!  Yes, that’s right.  Water can make you lose weight.  Here’s why.

1.  First off, water fills you up.  If you start drinking more water, you will start noticing that you are not as hungry during the day.  Try sipping on water all day long, and always drink a glass of water before a meal.  You will not eat as much as you did before. 

2.  Also, thirst is often times mistaken for hunger.  If you think you are hungry, drink a glass of water.  Many times you will find that you are now no longer hungry.  This is because you were actually thirsty, not hungry.  Really-try it next time!

3.  Drinking enough water can also help speed up your metabolism, which will help you lose weight.  Let’s take a second and explain some things.  Metabolism is actually a job that your liver does.  Metabolism of fat is when the liver converts stored fat to energy.  One of the liver’s other jobs is to pick up slack for the kidneys.  Now, the kidneys can’t do their job properly without plenty of water.  So, if you are not drinking enough water, the liver has to help out the kidneys.  Which, in turn, means that the liver can’t do its’ job of metabolizing fat properly.  This means you will likely store more fat, thus gain weight.

So, drinking plenty of water allows the kidneys to do their job properly, which allows the liver to do its’ jobs properly, which means your metabolism will speed up, which will result in weight loss.

4.  Now, here’s another interesting thing about water.  I’m sure you’ve heard of “water weight”.  This is when your body retains water and you feel bloated and you may swell in your ankles, thighs or belly.  Drinking more water will fix this!  If you don’t drink enough water on a regular basis, your body stores what water it does get, which results in the “water weight” that you put on.  Once you start to drink plenty of water, your body gets rid of all the water it doesn’t need, and you will likely lose a few pounds.

5.  Drinking sufficient water is important for more than just losing weight.  Your body needs hydration to function properly in all aspects.  Hydration flushes out the impurities in your system.  You will feel better and look better.  Your skin will be clearer.  Your muscles will work better (very important for exercise). 

Many people think that anything you drink will help hydrate you.  Yes, this is true.  But, if you are drinking sodas, diet sodas, juices, coffee, etc, you are drinking sugary, high calorie drinks.  This WILL NOT help you lose weight.  If you are currently drinking a lot of these types of liquids, then that is likely a big part of why you have gained weight, or why you can’t lose weight.  Replace these drinks with plain water.

How much water should you drink?  For most people, drinking about 8 (8 oz) glasses, or about 2 quarts of water a day is enough.  If you are overweight, you should drink another 8 oz for every 25 lbs of excess weight. 

Yes, water can make you lose weight!  Get started now!  Drink more water!  It may be hard at first to make the switch from other drinks, but stick with it.  It will get easier and easier.  I will be honest, it may take 2-3 weeks before you are not craving that soda anymore.  But, have self control and willpower and you will do it.  And, you will feel much better when you do.