Hydrate Me!

Everyone knows you should drink 8 – 8oz. glasses of water each and every day.  I am horrible at this!  I seriously have to work at getting just half of that amount in each day.  There have been very few days that I have accomplished this unreachable 8 -8oz. glasses.  But most days I become so busy I completely forget.  By the time I start dinner (and have a headache) I will realize I haven’t had a thing to drink yet!  It’s just not something I ever really think about.

I’ve even tried to convince others that it is all a Water Company Conspiracy!  I mean think about it – Who really benefits the most from you drinking more water?  You consume more water = $.  It in turn makes you need the restroom more and you flush using even more water = $$!  See?  Water Company Conspiracy!

Okay, even though that sounds totally believable to me and I’m still not totally sure I’m that off base.  Let me  share with you a few facts I have found while searching the Internet.

Water makes up 50%-60% of our bodies.  It regulates our body temperature, helps our breathing, transports nutrients, carries away waste and helps our muscles function.  Not to mention it can be an extremely important weightloss factor.  Okay, NOW I’m listening!

That’s right!  Did you know water can help you reduce your weight?  The more hydrated you are, the quicker your metabolism works.  When you are dehydrated your liver has to help the kidneys function and can’t metabolize fat as quickly.  Your metabolism slows down and before you know it you’re storing fat!

Oh and this just amazed me when I read it.  Did you know that you could become a Camel if you don’t drink enough water?  Well, Camel like at least.  According to an article at SparkPeople.com, if your body is used to not getting water (like mine), it actually stores more in you ankles, hips and thighs.  YIKES!!  The good thing is that once you start drinking enough water, your body will realize it and stop storing it up.

So, it’s looking more and more like my Conspiracy Theory might actually just a some crazy talk I came up with.  But how do you add more water into your diet?  Here are just a few simple changes that will help you:

• Avoid caffeinated drinks.  They actually cause you to lose fluids and dehydrate.
• Find a super cute water bottle (or a few of them). Something that will make it fun for you to drink up.
• Once your water glass is empty – fill it up IMMEDIATELY!
• Keep a water bottle at home, at work and in your car.  This way you are never with out it.
• Keep tabs on how much you have drank.  Make it a game – like counting buttons into a jar, one for each 8oz you consume.
• Involve your kids!  Put your little one in charge of placing the button in the jar when you have finished your glass.  Once you start this up, there is just no way they will ever let you forget!

 

What are some ways YOU get all your water in?  

What super tricks work for YOU?

Burnin’ The Fat –