Water is essential to life. Staying hydrated is critical to our health, wellbeing and can help us lose weight.

Now before we get started here’s some cool interesting facts:

• If you drink more water your less likely to drink other sugary/calorie laden drinks or overeat hence the positive effect on our weight
• Studies have found that drinking 500 mls of water before a meal resulted in the loss of an additional 4-9 lbs over 3 month’s vs those who didn’t pre-load with water
• Research has shown that people who are severely dehydrated have a higher BMI compared to those adequately hydrated

What Is Dehydration?

In simple terms, it’s when the amount of water leaving the body exceeds the amount being taken in. We lose water through breathing, sweating and urinating to name a few.

Dehydration Symptoms

• Dry mouth
• Feelings of thirst
• Loss of energy/concentration
• Reduced alertness/reaction
• Headaches
• Kidney/bowel problems
• Kidney stones
• Muscle fatigue/cramps
• Loss of co-ordination
• Constipation
• Dry skin

Another warning sign that you are becoming dehydrated is if your urine is dark. You should be drinking enough water to turn your urine a light-colored yellow. Dark urine is a sign that your kidneys are retaining fluids to maintain your bodily functions, which includes detoxification.

Another sign to look out for is passing less urine than normal. A healthy person urinates on average 7-8 times a day. If your urine is just dribbles or you haven’t urinated in several hours, you may need more water.

How Much Water Do I Need?

Water requirements are extremely individual. It’s determined by your age, where you live, body size, lifestyle and activity levels. Personally, I drink about 3-4 litres per day.

And before anyone asks …

Fruit juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, teas, coffees and other similar high water content drinks do not count. They are a poor substitute for pure filtered water!

Also remember many commercial beverages contain diuretics like caffeine, which will only dehydrate you more. Alcohol also has a diuretic effect, so try not to drink too much. Have a wine spritzer instead of pure wine. Another tip is to alternate between your alcoholic drink and water.

How Drinking Water Helps Weight Loss

Studies have shown that drinking water may:

• Reduce your calorie intake – if you drink more water, you’re less likely to drink other calorie-laden drinks such as fizzy soft drinks, fruit juices, energy drinks etc
• Reduce your appetite – drinking water before meals blunts your appetite. Therefore, you’ll eat less and find it easier to lose those extra pounds
• Increase your resting energy expenditure – meaning you burn more calories at rest. Some studies do suggest drinking water may boost your metabolism

So the moral of the story is drink pure filtered water.

Also remember if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated, so simply drinking water when you feel like you need to is not enough. You should sip fluids regularly throughout the day.

I personally always carry a bottle of water everywhere I go. It acts as a great little reminder for me.

Give it a try my friend.

Love Gaynor x