Water Drinking Question

malavika413

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Amelia0471

http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_water.php

Check this out. And for me water keeps me full... like if i want a snack or something but already reached my calorie goal and i drink water instead and im less likely to snack pretty sure it revs up metabolism too hope this helps a little bit

FredDoyle

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Sounds like you need more water. Not for weight loss but just for hydration from the sounds of your fainting and LBP!
Are you eating a lot of watery vegetables and soups? They add too, but it sounds like you need to buck up and get hydrated and flush your kidneys.

malavika413

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

JuliRamone

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

You can get used to very small amounts of water, which doesn't mean your body doesn't need more.

You could try adding some small amounts of water during the day - like: getting up in the morning, having "two shots" of water. Then with breakfast, half a glass of water... and so on.
You will probably have to take small steps increasing the water intake as your body seems pretty used to the situation.

Amelia0471

Since you dont seem to like water you could try adding to it, I used to put slices of lemon, lime and cucumber in my water when I wanted something with taste and it worked well and got me to drink it more often at first!

Rabid_Hamster

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Yes, drinking water will help a lot. I understand that it makes you feel "bloated and gross" but that is because your body isn't used to having much of it right now. Water is the supply line and lubricant for every bodily function. Your body will readjust to having more of it when you drink more regularly. Your kidneys, and every other organ, will thank you for it.
Yes you will go to the bathroom more, BUT that's a good thing. You'll be getting rid of more of the waste that you don't want to be carrying anyway.
Give it a try for 2 weeks and see how you feel.

ThePhoenixIsRising

Dehydration can cause low blood volume which causes your heart to work harder than needed to get the blood and oxygen around your body. Low blood volume often causes low blood pressure when you stand up. That drop In Blood pressure will cause dizziness and sometimes cause you to completely black out.

Thirst isn't the only sign you need water. I fact if you ignore that signal long enough your brain will stop recognizing it completely. Kinda like hunger cues in people with eating disorders.

keelybird57

http://allwomenstalk.com/10-ways-how-water-helps-you-to-lose-weight

10 ways water helps you lose weight.

jmv7117

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Yes, you have it wrong! Water is not just for weight loss but will help you lose weight. It is the ultimate detoxifier. Chronic dehydration has a multitude of negative side effects that can result in death. You are already showing symptoms of chronic dehydration yet you are looking for reasons why you don't need to drink water? On a short term basis, dehydration causes the release of cortisol which impedes weight loss. Water plays a large role in muscle recovery so without water you muscles don't repair as quickly after exercise causing them to retain whatever water is in your body. Keeping well rehydrated prevents water retention.

maidentl

People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty.

You realize the dehydration and passing out is another way your body tells you, right?

wilsoje74

Yes you need more water. I think it's obvious if you pass out and have had issues before.

pander101

Try flavoring it. I hated water when I started out. Some people might argue with this but you might try adding the Propel flavor packets or Crystal Light packets to make it taste better. I did that and just got in the habit of drinking a lot of fluid. Or just ice water, helps with the taste. Just try to build up how much you drink. Water is really important, and yeah if your having issues with fainting and blood pressure you need more water. Or you can go talk to your doctor.

bugaboo_sue

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

So don't drink water.

Or anything for that matter.

See how long you survive without any sort of hydration.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

This is wrong. Your body will essentially "learn" to cope with what it's given, even if it's not enough. That's why people with hypothermia commonly don't feel all that cold, or people starving in concentration camps don't always feel hungry.

Just because you don't feel like your body is "telling" you something doesn't mean you don't need it. You need more water. 8 cups a day, minimum.

999tigger

Its 2L of fluids a day and 20% of that is expected to come from food.
It cna help with loss by supressing appetite, but im more bothered about assisting your bodies functions.

Apparently

1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids.
2. Water Can Help Control Calories.
3. Water Helps Energize Muscles
4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good.
5. Water Helps Your Kidneys.
6. Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function.

I probably dont always drink 2l, but its 2l of fluid so tea and coffee count. Juices etc.

Btw MFP isnt just about weight loss, it also includes nutrition, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. You sure are coming up with some challenging questions. Like the reason to lift weights. Just look at the people who have done what you want to do and listen to how they got there.

seltzermint555

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

You can get used to very small amounts of water, which doesn't mean your body doesn't need more.

You could try adding some small amounts of water during the day - like: getting up in the morning, having "two shots" of water. Then with breakfast, half a glass of water... and so on.
You will probably have to take small steps increasing the water intake as your body seems pretty used to the situation.

I agree with this advice above, OP.

I rarely feel thirsty either and for years and years I was totally fine with 1 cup of coffee and two 12 oz cans of diet cola per day. No other drinks and no water. I never had fainting spells or physician diagnosed dehydration but I definitely feel better drinking more water. I now drink about 60-80 oz per day as a 5'8" 170 lb woman and a lot of people say that's nowhere near enough but for me it seems to be pretty good.

I do think you may need to step it up slowly. Years ago there were times when I was used to very low intake of fluids and suddenly forced myself to drink a lot of it and I did feel bloated and was constantly in the restroom for a day or so (and inconveniently during the night). But your body really does get used to it.

What helped me was learning the best way to drink water for me is refrigerator cold in a cup with a straw. I don't really like ice water or room temperature water and drinking it out of a glass or bottle tastes less pleasant to me (although now I'll drink it however because I have truly come to prefer water).

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

Your body IS telling you you need water. See the bold.

It doesn't need to be 8 glasses necessarily. But it does need to be enough to avoid, ya know, fainting spells and low blood pressure.

seltzermint555

I didn't mention this in my earlier post but I think one "vain" (probably the wrong word) motivator for me to drink more water is experiences I've had while using MFP. For example...road trip with my husband eating some fried food and sweets that I don't normally eat, and not drinking much water...4 lb temporary gain. A few weeks later on the exact same type of trip, same sort of food indulgences, but drinking loads of water during the trip...less than 1 lb temporary gain. Of course there could be many other variables at play there but for me that's proof enough ;-)

carolineat111

I drink 10-12 8oz glasses of water a day. It will absolutely aid in weight loss and by your post you clearly need more of it.

violasmith85

Based on your diary you are eating a lot of sodium. Drinking water will help dump some of that and you are probably carrying a little extra water weight, so that alone would be a good reason to drink more.

malavika413

Since dining hall food is high in sodium, it's difficult to escape that. I guess I need to try drinking more water. I'll do my best to overcome the sick feeling.

deluxmary2000

Dehydration can cause low blood volume which causes your heart to work harder than needed to get the blood and oxygen around your body. Low blood volume often causes low blood pressure when you stand up. That drop In Blood pressure will cause dizziness and sometimes cause you to completely black out.

Thirst isn't the only sign you need water. I fact if you ignore that signal long enough your brain will stop recognizing it completely. Kinda like hunger cues in people with eating disorders.

Really?! If this is true it is the single most interesting thing I've learned on MFP. Although water doesn't make me feel "gross", I also hardly drink any during the day because I'm a) busy and b) not thirsty. I also have very low blood pressure and get dizzy when I stand up. I had no idea the two may be related. *off to research*

violasmith85

also sometimes your body gives the wrong signal. Sometimes when you feel hungry it's actually because you're thirsty. My doctor told me that a few years back and I've found it's true.

kangaroux92

i also hate drinking liquids . everyone always makes fun of me because whenever i get any drink in drink like a quarter of it. i probably drink about 3-4 8oz cups on days i work out and 1-2 on days i dont. for me its enough i never really get thirsty and i dont have fainting spells or low blood pressure. i would say try to get at least 16 oz in a day and i think you'll be ok. before i started all this i could go all day without drinking a thing.

neanderthin

I don't drink water very often, almost never and I'm still alive and functioning properly.

Kalikel

If your body works properly and you don't have any mental condition affecting intake, you can rely on your sense of thirst to tell you how much water to drink.

F you're passing out and have low blood pressure, it would indicate that something is off with your body, so you should consult a doctor.

Good luck.

RussellG67

I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Based on your words you need more water. Hydration is important to your health.

Drinking water does fill you up so you are less hungry and more able to stick to proper food intake.

Also if you drink cold water you will burn calories to heat your body back up. If you do the 1/2 oz per day of body weight and the water is cold you will burn over a 100 calories extra a day for your body to try to heat itself back up. (of course that's based on a 200lb person so it could be more or less and this was an average thing. I saw that in an article but I can't recall the source sorry.

EDIT: And yes see a doctor if you are having those issues. could be other things going on.

Chezzie84

I hate plain water. So I add no added sugar squash to it and have it hot.

rhtexasgal

Get your water through homemade popsicles. I had issues getting my youngest to stay hydrated during a stretch of about 6 months. I got water and flavored it with a little 100% fruit juice and made popsicles. I had him eat several a day to stay hydrated. All of the sudden, he started liking water again and I could lay off the frozen treats.

emdeesea

People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water...

Yeah, that's why you have low blood pressure and fainting spells.

If you drank more water your blood pressure would increase to a normal level and you would not have those fainting spells.

Sheesh... shaking my head.