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Water Intake & Weight Loss

froggy15
froggy15 Posts: 154 Member
edited January 25 in Health and Weight Loss
How important is water intake to weight loss? I have trouble getting in my 8 cups a day.

Replies

  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    Hi:

    My understanding is to drink as much water daily in ounces as your current weight divided by two. If your weight is 150 pounds, divided by two is 75. Then, your suggested daily water intake would be 75 ounces of water.

    I drink a 32 ounces bottle of water while at the Gym daily. Every time I finished a weight lifting rep set I drink some.
    If I do cardio (like spinning) the 32 ounces bottle is not enough.

    Add some lemon twist to your water for taste, if it is too boring just plain.

    I can tell you that drinking water has helped me a lot with achieving my weight goals.
    Every time I feel hungry, I drink a cup of green tea and wait 15 minutes. Usually I do not feel hungry anymore.My brain is confusing thirst with hunger.

    Good luck in your journey
  • CMWheeler85
    CMWheeler85 Posts: 10
    It is important more specifically when paired with exercise. The more you work the more water your body uses to keep muscles and joints going.

    Your body also uses water to flush toxins from your body.

    Water will also help you feel fuller faster helping you to eat less.

    One negative effect of not drinking enough water is dehydration (many people do not even realize they are dehydrated) this causes your body to slow down the metabolism to conserve water which in turns leads to less calories burned to fuel your body.

    Some people will argue that water had no effect. Too much is indeed a bad thing and you want to make sure you are not drinking so much that you have a sloshy feeling in your stomach. However generally speaking it would be safe to say that your urine should be a slight tinge of yellow. Completely clear might be a sign of too much water but anything more than a slight yellow tone means you probably need more water (this can obviously be altered my vitamins and such).

    Try to drink water with meals instead of other things. Also when you get a hungry feeling drink some water. That will help suppress your appetite as well as give you the fluids your body needs to function properly!

    I am not a doctor just a guy who has seen many people suffer from lack of proper hydration during my military years.
  • froggy15
    froggy15 Posts: 154 Member
    Thank you both for all that info.! I've been starting my day with a glass of water with lemon first thing when I get up. I just need to keep up with it throughout the day. I do think that at times I suffer from dehydration since I sometimes wake up with a very, very dry mouth and throat. I'm sure now with the weather getting warmer it will be easier since I drink more when I'm hot.
  • hotsytots
    hotsytots Posts: 1
    What kind of working environment do you have?

    I sit at a desk all day and I use a 22oz Tervis Tumbler for drinking at work. I tervis full of water is 2 servings plus a bit more. I try to keep pace with 2 tumblers before lunch and 2 after. That way before I even leave for the day I've got my 8. Then its water during workouts and with dinner.

    I've heard a lot of people say, "I can't possibly drink that much water in one day, its just so much!" but if you just make it a habit, it won't take long for it to feel weird NOT to drink that much.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    In my mind it's less about weight loss and more about health, same as exercise. Do it because it's good for your body, not just because you want to lose weight. Make it a life long healthy habit.

    Buy yourself a bottle that's at least 32 oz (4 cups), keep it at easy reach all day and fill it up at least once. For some people having water ice cold helps them. For others, it has to be room temperature if not hot so that they can drink it comfortably. Many add fruit juice or those flavor squirts or a little koolaid. Whatever helps!

    Just to clarify on the drinking water when you feel hungry thing. The theory is that your body's signals aren't clear between thirst and hunger so you may feel empty like you need food when in fact you just need to drink some water. If you're actually hungry it may not work but it's worth a try.

    Generally 8 cups per day is plenty but as you say, with the warm weather coming, you may need to start drinking more, especially if you're active. You'll have to pee a lot more at first but your body will adjust soon enough.
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 638 Member
    It is important more specifically when paired with exercise. The more you work the more water your body uses to keep muscles and joints going.

    Your body also uses water to flush toxins from your body.

    Water will also help you feel fuller faster helping you to eat less.

    One negative effect of not drinking enough water is dehydration (many people do not even realize they are dehydrated) this causes your body to slow down the metabolism to conserve water which in turns leads to less calories burned to fuel your body.

    Some people will argue that water had no effect. Too much is indeed a bad thing and you want to make sure you are not drinking so much that you have a sloshy feeling in your stomach. However generally speaking it would be safe to say that your urine should be a slight tinge of yellow. Completely clear might be a sign of too much water but anything more than a slight yellow tone means you probably need more water (this can obviously be altered my vitamins and such).

    Try to drink water with meals instead of other things. Also when you get a hungry feeling drink some water. That will help suppress your appetite as well as give you the fluids your body needs to function properly!

    I am not a doctor just a guy who has seen many people suffer from lack of proper hydration during my military years.

    Totally agree....water can also come from foods, especially fruits but I still aim for 8 glasses a day, roughly half my weight in ounces.
This discussion has been closed.

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