is water really that important for weight loss??

Drink when you're thirsty. Drinking 8 cups a day is totally unnecessary/excessive and bad for the environment!

dumbest thing ive ever heard.

ive upped my water intake because it makes me feel fuller.

There are many reasons why it is important to drink water, especially if you are dieting:

Initial weight loss is largely due to loss of water, and you need to drink an adequate amount of water in order to avoid dehydration.
The process of burning calories requires an adequate supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process.
Burning calories creates toxins (think of the exhaust coming out of your car), and water plays a vital role in flushing them out of your body.
Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume; a reduction in blood volume causes a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles; and a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles can make you feel tired.
Water helps maintain muscle tone by assisting muscles in their ability to contract, and it lubricates your joints. Proper hydration can help reduce muscle and joint soreness when exercising.
A healthy (weight loss) diet includes a good amount of fiber. But while fiber is normally helpful to your digestive system, without adequate fluids it can cause constipation instead of helping to eliminate it.
Drinking water with a meal may make you feel full sooner and therefore satisfied eating less. Note, however, that drinking water alone may not have this effect. In order to feel satiated (not hungry), our bodies need bulk, calories and nutrients.

You have probably heard that you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. How much water you actually need depends on your weight, level of activity, the temperature and humidity of your environment, and your diet. Your diet makes a difference because if you eat plenty of water-dense foods like fruits and vegetables your need to drink water will be diminished.

You can do some research and use a calculator and measuring cup if you like, but nature's pretty good at letting you know the right amount to drink. When you drink enough water, your urine will usually be pale yellow, though vitamin supplements and antibiotics can discolor it. On the other hand, you shouldn't need to run to the bathroom too frequently. When in doubt, drink a little more.

Do not worry that drinking water will give your body a bloated look. There are a number of causes of water retention, including consuming too much salt. But drinking water is not one of them.

I am a saltaholic and stay concerned about that terrible addiction so my doctor has my sodium levels checked every time I have blood work done, which is about every 4-6 months. My sodium levels are always normal. He asked one time how much I drink a day, not water, but liquid. I told him "probably a gallon and a half at least" and that is in the form of milk, water, tea, diet coke (down to one a day WOOT WOOT!), etc. He said he the amount of liquid I was drinking kept the sodium flushed from my system. I asked if straight water would make a difference and he told me no because there was water in each of the things I was drinking.

Yes. Essentially like 70% of the population is slightly dehydrated. It is true you can get water from many sources (fruits and veggies are high in water), I would suggest drinking as much water as you can throughout the day. Through lemon juice etc. in the water if you really just can't stand the taste of plain water. Personally, I drink a lot of water. That said I also average about 3 cups of tea/ coffee a day, thus as those are diuretics I need more water.