Why hydration is so important!

Eleisabelle

Okay, I let myself get a little out of control the last several weeks. I wasn't eating more calories, but I was eating more junk. By Saturday this past weekend, I was bloated, tired, and cranky. I realized my ankles were puffed and my belly was bloated and felt like lead. By Sunday morning, I weighed and discovered I was up at over 140. Frustrating when you're trying to lose those last 10 pounds and you've shot up 5 just through water weight and bad eating (why does 15 feel so much worse?).

So I pulled out the recipe for Sassy Water (from the Flat Belly diet, which I don't follow but I have to admit the water mixture is tasty) and made up a pitcher on Sunday night, determined I would spend the next four days at least drinking enough water and trying to get rid of that icky feeling.

I also decided to weigh daily to get an idea of what happened afterward. I ate cleaner (though still not perfect--a couple of dinners out this week) and tried to stick to my calorie goal (which I recently upped since I started weight training along with my regular cardio). But my main goal was to make sure I was drinking enough water during the day. Here's what happened, based mostly just on drinking 2 liters of the Sassy Water, plus whatever other fluids I felt I needed through the day. All weigh-ins were in the AM before eating or drinking.

Monday (starting weight) 141 (blech!)
Tuesday 138
Wednesday 137
Thursday 136
Today 135

Now, I normally don't base my success on the scale so much anyway, but I thought that was a nice, clear view of the benefits of hydration. If you stay hydrated, you have an accurate picture of what you REALLY weigh, your measurements will be more accurate (thinking of those ankles and that belly on Saturday), and your progress might be a bit more steady.

Water doesn't make you lose weight, but it sure helps in the process of weight loss!

Peace

Cindym82

what did you put in the wateR?

Eleisabelle

what did you put in the wateR?

This is my specific variation on the Sassy Water recipe.

One lemon, sliced thin
One-half of a large cucumber, sliced thin
A few slices of fresh ginger root, slightly crushed

Then add two liters of water and let it sit in the fridge overnight. Drink it the next day.

The ingredients are soothing to the digestive tract and also help the hydration move through you better. I didn't have spearmint leaves on hand, but you can add some of them, too.

jkrim941

Thanks for sharing!

I don't usually drink soda, but yesterday I had 2 cans. (Yikes!) It made me feel nauseous by the end of my work day. Then, on my run in the evening, I had major cramping in my side. I've learned my lesson.

The water sounds delightful. So often I want my water to be just a little 'sassy'-er. I think I will mix some up this evening!

lizard053

Let's hear it for the water! It is very true that water does help the weight loss process, not always as directly as you proved, but by preventing all that retention! I swear by my 3-4 liters daily (before exercise, so more during, of course!), and I truly feel the difference. I'm less sore, I don't get as large weight swings during TOM, and I feel healthier! Worth every drop, worth every bathroom trip!

That sassy water sounds yummy.

Eleisabelle

The water sounds delightful. So often I want my water to be just a little 'sassy'-er. I think I will mix some up this evening!

Yeah, I've found that I don't generally drink enough water if it isn't interesting. Just adding a little lemon makes me far more likely to drink it down. But this recipe makes me almost crave it!

momwhosbusy

bump, the sassy water sounds good!