Water - Your Body's Greatest Ally.
by: Dr. Kendra Pearsall
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Everywhere you turn it seems like some new health expert or another is telling you yet again to drink water – but why? Water is one of the most critical steps to health and especially weight loss, and in terms of survival it is second only to oxygen in terms of our body’s needs. Here are some reasons why water is just so vital to weight loss:
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2. To carry damaging toxins out of the body.
- help regulate the body temperature
- carry oxygen, hormones, and nutrients to the cells
- electrolyte balance
- cushion joints to protect inner organs
- elimination of waste products
Healthy weight loss programs must include a detoxification because your body actually stores toxins in your fat. In order to get those toxins out of your body you need lots of water to flush our systems. Remember it is best to have guidance when doing a detoxification program, like the experts at Enlita.
3. To act as a "filler."
There are nerve endings in the stomach that respond to expansion, even if the expansion is caused by water. Filling the stomach with water triggers the hormones that tell your body it’s full and doesn’t need to eat more.
4. To produce greater water loss.
The kidneys are like a machine that runs better when mildly overloaded. By increasing the water your kidneys have to filter, they actually work more efficiently. Not only do you process the water you take in, but you also dump some of the "free water" involved with swelling and water retention. Your total body weight is 60-70% water. An adequate supply of water is necessary to:
You lose water a number of ways throughout the day including perspiration, exhaled water vapor from the lungs, and urine. Each day you need to replace around four percent of your body weight in water. Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day is recommended for health maintenance. Individual needs vary according to dietary factors, age, weight, climate and humidity, exercise, and the effectiveness of your body's systems.
For weight loss, the amount of water you will need to drink increases. The key to keeping your body working efficiently and meeting your personal exercise needs is to take in as much water as you specifically need.
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Some research studies have determined that the number of ounces of water you needfor effective weight loss equals your weight divided by two. If you weigh 180 pounds, you need to drink about 90 ounces or 11 cups of water daily. You will notice that this is much more water than the average person drinks. However, this does not account for the water you can obtain from eating a high amount of fruits and vegetables so you can adjust this rule accordingly. |
One simple method of determining if you are getting enough water is to observe the color of your urine; it should be pale, clear yellow. Weigh yourself before and immediately after exercise. Any weight lost is due to loss of water through perspiration. It is important to drink one to two cups of water for each pound lost during the activity, and to drink at least that amount every time you exercise.
It may seem hard to believe, but you really can achieve your ideal weight just by making simple, natural lifestyle changes like increasing your water intake.
Interested in learning more about Enlita’s Weight Loss With Mother Nature Program? Click here for details.
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10-13-2008
