does water really make a difference?

vsetter

Let me start by saying --- I am not a good water drinker. I like it just fine, I just have a hard time getting my 8 glasses (10 glasses depending on who you ask). I am trying to drink more as I read that it makes a difference in fat loss, especially if lifting weights.

Do you think this is true? Anyone out there gone from drinking very little to much more and experienced a shift, physically speaking? Is it worth it?

phlower

Let me start by saying --- I am not a good water drinker. I like it just fine, I just have a hard time getting my 8 glasses (10 glasses depending on who you ask). I am trying to drink more as I read that it makes a difference in fat loss, especially if lifting weights.

Do you think this is true? Anyone out there gone from drinking very little to much more and experienced a shift, physically speaking? Is it worth it?

Oh yes. Water is so important. It keeps you hydrated, and helps your major organ systems, like digestion. Your body needs enough water in order to function. It flushes out toxins. The easiest way for me to get my water is to carry a 32oz reusable bottle that I fill at least once a day, usually twice.

I don't always need 64oz a day. Sometimes I only need 40 before I'm running to the bathroom every 20 mins, other times I can't get enough and consume closer to 100oz in a day. I listen to my body, and I know I feel sooo much better when I am hydrated.

cmriverside

Learn to love your water. It's really important. Helps you eat less, keeps your metabolism purring.

ciobair

Let me start by saying --- I am not a good water drinker. I like it just fine, I just have a hard time getting my 8 glasses (10 glasses depending on who you ask). I am trying to drink more as I read that it makes a difference in fat loss, especially if lifting weights.

Do you think this is true? Anyone out there gone from drinking very little to much more and experienced a shift, physically speaking? Is it worth it?

I feel you, I'm not a great water drinker either.

I know it's supposed to be good for us and I do diligently try to drink more now that I ever did.
The only shift I've experienced is the greatly increased number of trips to the bathroom.

vsetter

I understand all of the positive reasons for drinking water based on what i have read (and what doctors say). I'm just wondering if anyone can speak from personal experience. Changes in your own body when drinking 8+ glasses, like greater weight loss or clearer skin or something like that?

angieleighbyrd

I understand all of the positive reasons for drinking water based on what i have read (and what doctors say). I'm just wondering if anyone can speak from personal experience. Changes in your own body when drinking 8+ glasses, like greater weight loss or clearer skin or something like that?

Yes. I went from drinking zero glasses a day to now I always have a minimum of 8 but usually I'm closer to 12 sometimes even a gallon. My hair and nails are both healthier. My pee is no longer dark and I have a ton more energy than I used to.

I hated water in the beginning. I had to start off by adding lemon to it. You really do get used to it. I crave water now.

SherryTeach

So far, I haven't seen anyone cite any medical evidence to support that we all need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. I actually read in the book Bottlemania that the recommendation about the 8 glasses was started by water bottling companies trying to sell us more bottled water. Of course, we should stay well-hydrated, but most people get plenty of hydration in their food as well as from normal water intake. Let thirst be your guide.

krokador

I went from drinking basically no water to actually requiring a constant intake of water. I don,t feel right if I don't have my glass nearby. Of course it also means I have to pee more often, but I can deal. I eat a lot less than I used to. Working out is so much more pleasant (as far as that goes, anyway) when well hydrated, too. AND since I'm always with water or tea, I drink a lot less soda and have basically eliminated fruit juices from my diet

sarahrbraun

I understand all of the positive reasons for drinking water based on what i have read (and what doctors say). I'm just wondering if anyone can speak from personal experience. Changes in your own body when drinking 8+ glasses, like greater weight loss or clearer skin or something like that?

fewer kidney stones? My urologist swears that I *shouldn't* get another one now that I am not chronically dehydrated.

Now that you mentioned it, I haven't had as many breakouts around TOM since I have been drinking lots ( 12+ cups a day) of water on a regular basis.

zechks

YES water is good for you. It's good for fatloss and overall health.

I just have a question?

Why do "most" white people doesn't like drinking water? I'm speaking based on experience here. I'm just wondering because it's water right? What's wrong with plain water, why do they always have to put some flavor or enhancers to it just to be able to drink it? Because from where I'm from (Asia) drinking water is like breathing, you don't have to ask on how or why you do it. It's an instinct to drink water.

NCchar130

I understand all of the positive reasons for drinking water based on what i have read (and what doctors say). I'm just wondering if anyone can speak from personal experience. Changes in your own body when drinking 8+ glasses, like greater weight loss or clearer skin or something like that?

What I've noticed is reduced cravings since I make a point of drinking at least 8 glasses a day. It doesn't take away hunger pains for more than a few minutes, but it does lessen them and I don't find myself having intense cravings for certain foods if I stay hydrated.

knightreader

my water intake makes a huge difference for me. i usually drink a gallon a day, give or take a cup or two. i pee clear almost all the time. once it gets darker, i know i gotta up my water. it has made a big difference in my week to week weight loss too. i am at a point where i don't really need to count my glasses anymore, my body can just tell if it needs more or if it has had enough.

if you struggle getting enough in, try room temperature water. i almost never have cold water. i find room temperature is easier to drink, and certainly easier to gulp when i am trying to finish a glass before leaving the table or something similar.

i never did flavor enhancers or anything like that, but i know a lot of people here have, so you might want to try those too.

good luck!

BrittanyKxo

My experience is that when I went from drinking 8-10 cups a day, down to about 4-6 and my weight was fluctuating more than usual. I started a week long water challenge to get the 8-10 in again, and I started to lose again after the 2nd day.

oramos76

yes water makes a difference helps get rid of excess sodium, hydration, the body is mostly made up of water, and drinking cold water helps boost metabolism which helps burn extra calories helped me alot so yess water makes a difference and is the bomb!

dalissalee

Yes, water helps. I used to drink very little of anything... water, milk, soda, you name it. There are two big differences I've noticed since shooting to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day...

1) I started MFP in late June. I never used to be thirsty. Now that I regularly drink water, I actually feel thirsty. Perhaps I was identifying thirst as hunger before this change.

2) If I eat out at all, water helps flush out all of the sodium in those foods. If I don't drink extra water after having meals out, than my body holds onto the sodium and the weight. But, if I make sure to drink more than the usual 8 glasses, than my normal weight loss isn't affected too much.

jkcrawford

My question is: Is there a certain time of day that you should stop drinking water?

lyttlewon

YES water is good for you. It's good for fatloss and overall health.

I just have a question?

Why do "most" white people doesn't like drinking water? I'm speaking based on experience here. I'm just wondering because it's water right? What's wrong with plain water, why do they always have to put some flavor or enhancers to it just to be able to drink it? Because from where I'm from (Asia) drinking water is like breathing, you don't have to ask on how or why you do it. It's an instinct to drink water.

It just seems like that on here. Plenty of us drink water.

VogtAndrea

A while back the rule of thumb was "8 by 8" or drink 8 cups or 8 oz containers of liquid other than coffee (because its a diuretic).
The Mayo Clinic says now that as long as you drink enough water that your urine is clear and very light in colour, you're likely getting enough water or liquids to keep your body adequately hydrated.

gatorento

My question is: Is there a certain time of day that you should stop drinking water?

I usually try to stop drinking water 1-2 hours before bed, so that I don't wake up during the night.

lu136mickey

yes

Shayleah05

For me personally when i drink water i feel more energized and all around better. I also sleep better. Water is a wonderful thing but i have to force myself to drink it but its well worth it.

mistypelayo

yes drinking cold water does boost metabolism but remember that when eating you should drink room temp water. Drinking cold water while consuming foods can slow digestion.

TheRealParisLove

There have been many, many medical studies that show water consumption assists with weight loss. Currently, beverage companies are trying to promote the consumption of their products as "better" than water, but most of those beverages have sugar or caffeine or both.

Basically, if you get your water from the tap, it costs next to nothing to add some extra into your daily routine. I have 24 oz. upon waking with my morning supplements. Then I drink about 4 cups of coffee, and have another 24 oz. of water with my breakfast. I have a plastic insulated cup with a straw that I use for water. I try to have six 24 oz. cups of water a day to stay hydrated. I like to add a little lemon or crystal light (I cut it in half with plain water) for flavor. I just keep my cup with me, and refill it as soon as I notice it is empty.

I think the straw helps me a lot. I used to be a smoker, so habitually having the straw in my mouth is pretty easy.

tanyaslosingit

I understand all of the positive reasons for drinking water based on what i have read (and what doctors say). I'm just wondering if anyone can speak from personal experience. Changes in your own body when drinking 8+ glasses, like greater weight loss or clearer skin or something like that?

For me, it definitely aided in my weight loss campaign as I used water to replace every other thing I was drinking (juices, teas, sodas); helped kill a lot of hunger pangs (often I was really thirsty rather than hungry) and; yes, I had a bad case of cystic acne that has disappeared. It's hard to say whether it's because I'm drinking water or NOT drinking the other stuff (probably both); but I've become a big water drinker. No complaints or side effects whatsoever :-)

Coyla

I like to drink plain old tap water, none of that fancy stuff.

But I don't think there is any kind of miracle associated with drinking water, unless you're really dehydrated. It doesn't make me lose weight faster. It doesn't help me with water retention or make me feel fuller. I don't even think I can move objects just by using my mind yet, either.

Still, most people need to drink more water.

HogSandwich

So far, I haven't seen anyone cite any medical evidence to support that we all need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. I actually read in the book Bottlemania that the recommendation about the 8 glasses was started by water bottling companies trying to sell us more bottled water. Of course, we should stay well-hydrated, but most people get plenty of hydration in their food as well as from normal water intake. Let thirst be your guide.

Thirst is actually the bodies last-ditch effort to get you to drink water. When you hit the thirsty stage, you're already substantially dehydrated

HogSandwich

YES water is good for you. It's good for fatloss and overall health.

I just have a question?

Why do "most" white people doesn't like drinking water? I'm speaking based on experience here. I'm just wondering because it's water right? What's wrong with plain water, why do they always have to put some flavor or enhancers to it just to be able to drink it? Because from where I'm from (Asia) drinking water is like breathing, you don't have to ask on how or why you do it. It's an instinct to drink water.

It's entirely possible that we just complain more.

TheRealParisLove

YES water is good for you. It's good for fatloss and overall health.

I just have a question?

Why do "most" white people doesn't like drinking water? I'm speaking based on experience here. I'm just wondering because it's water right? What's wrong with plain water, why do they always have to put some flavor or enhancers to it just to be able to drink it? Because from where I'm from (Asia) drinking water is like breathing, you don't have to ask on how or why you do it. It's an instinct to drink water.

I think this comes from marketing and especially health food marketing techniques. It isn't whites that have issues with water consumption, it's Americans in general, especially 3rd generation or longer Americans. Americans have been adding flavors to their waters for over a hundred years. The Boston Tea Party was a really, really big deal when local tea merchants couldn't operate independently and sell local beverages to the colonists in the 1700's. It's just part of our culture to drink flavored beverages.

Tulipmelody

I love water, I do. But, I cannot drink as much as I wished, especially if I am somewhere outside of home such as work, shopping, or even friends gatherings! Why? It makes me pee a lot....

I think it is just the biological stuff that runs in my family that my sisters and i just cannot hold pee like others. For example, I will need to use the bathroom in thirty minutes after drinking water. I do not have to pee after drinking when I was dehydrated, but they say it is not healthy to drink water only when you are dehydrated. So, basically, God did not give us a water-friendly body...

Therefore, I try not to drink water because it is very embarrassing to constantly go to bathrooms during a meeting or fighting a project, or being completely unfocused because of the pain of not going.

Basically, I have no idea what to do.

vtmoon

Once I started drinking more water my food intake got cut by almost half. I now drink a glass or two before a meal and drink another 2 glasses with the meal, it make me full a lot faster so I don't have to fill up on extra food.

apocalypsepwnie

Your body will adjust over a few days or weeks to the peeing thing. TRUST ME!
I've drunk 9 cups of water already this morning... and just finishing my 12th. I've gone 3 times.

The scientific reason is this -
Your kidneys need water to function correctly. You should be drinking an even amount over the day to keep it going nice. Think of it like a jug with a hole in the bottom, a jug can only hold so much before it spills over. So, if you are guzzling quickly it will over flow the jug/kidneys before it has a chance to pass through and will go straight into the bladder without being processed. We can't hold it in the blood so it goes away. However, you may have small periods where you are at risk of dehydration but if you are a good water drinker it's no worries.
If your kidneys aren't working properly guess who takes up the slack... your liver.
Do you know what the liver's main function is? To process fats.
So if you aren't hydrated properly, your kidneys tap out to the liver. The liver can't do everything at once and will do the main things to keep you alive and stops processing fats.

So in short, yes water does help in weightloss because it's like oil for the car. It craps pants without it.

If you need to know how much water we need it's 33ml/kg of weight. However that can come from any source. Up it a little more if you are exercising, it's hot, you have caffeine or lots of sodium. The other method is that your pee should be clear at least twice a day. Colourless. You shouldn't get 'thirsty'.
If your main reason for not drinking enough is cause you gotta pee or it tastes boring... that's not outweighing the health benefits.