Tell me about WATER
shimmer615
Posts: 55
I need to know exactly how important it is in a weight loss routine. I'm not totally oblivious - I mean, I know that our bodies are made of water and that we need it to function, for kidney health, etc. But, it's really, REALLY difficult for me to drink water. I drink a daily diet coke and unsweetened tea, occasionally milk (used to drink several Dr. Pepper's a day), but if I didn't have those to drink, I would prefer to drink nothing than to drink water.
So basically - if I do everything else right - eating a deficit and healthier foods, exercising - am I screwing myself because I'm not drinking as much water as I should?
Thanks in advance for the responses!
P.S: I know I need to drink more - and I'm trying to. I have A LOT of weight to lose, so the more help I can get, the better.
So basically - if I do everything else right - eating a deficit and healthier foods, exercising - am I screwing myself because I'm not drinking as much water as I should?
Thanks in advance for the responses!
P.S: I know I need to drink more - and I'm trying to. I have A LOT of weight to lose, so the more help I can get, the better.
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Replies
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I don't know much about this but for me, the more water I drink the better "results" I get usually. When I drink at least 10 glasses a day I tend to feel better and look better.0
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To drink more water, I will put a frozen strawberry or a cucumber slice in it to make it taste better. I try to drink water before I eat. Sometimes I am really thirsty when I think I'm hungry. It helps cut down on calorie consumption. I make sure I drink my 64 oz a day before I allow myself to have a soda, or Monster, or whatever. That makes me more motivated to drink my water.0
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To be honest, yes. Water is essential for all body processes and diet coke is only going to further dehydrate you. Try flavoring packets if you need to but you will see much much better results, and feel much better, hydrated than not. A woman needs about 8 glasses per day, plus one for every 10 pounds you are overweight. I know it seems like a lot, I used to be the type that hated water too, but eventually it just becomes habit. I had to start out by flavoring it to make myself drink it, now I don't need it (two years later).0
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Staying properly hydrated is very important for your general health. Your body uses the water to flush all sorts of nasties out of your body that get filtered out by your various internal organs. Forget weight loss, do it just for your general health.
Some people mix it with something called Crystal Light or other low-calorie flavorings to give it some flavor. I'd say just suck it up and drink the dang water, you'll get used to it.0 -
Water helps me to understand when my body is really hungry. I used to always think I was hungry, but really I was just dehydrated, because the soda and coffee have so much caffeine. If I feel I am hungry, I drink a big glass of water first to rehydrate and usually am then not hungry. Also, if I have cravings for stuff that is not "healthy" and I don't want to indulge, I'll drink a bunch of water, since my actual will power is not that great. My skin has a nice glow from all the extra water too Good Luck! 0
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I'm not sure but I know that for myself it helps considerably with snacking. I'm no longer reaching for food that has calories because I'm busy drinking water with no calories therefore my hunger is satisfied without eating & going over my daily calories. 0
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Thanks for the responses! I'm going to try adding in some flavoring to see if that helps - I don't like lemon, but I'm not sure why nothing else ever popped into my mind other than lemon before!0
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Staying properly hydrated is very important for your general health. Your body uses the water to flush all sorts of nasties out of your body that get filtered out by your various internal organs. Forget weight loss, do it just for your general health.
Some people mix it with something called Crystal Light or other low-calorie flavorings to give it some flavor. I'd say just suck it up and drink the dang water, you'll get used to it.
I like your humor! Thanks for the push - I'll try drinking more of the dang water. 0 -
Water is the only thing I drink other than water, and occasional energy drinks. I'll have green tea, or a juice.. maybe once a month I'll have a soda or Gatorade. My day usually goes 1 cup coffee.. water the rest of the day. I can't see it any other way.. I used to be a BIIIIGGG sweet tea drinker (grew up in the South!) I quit and switched to water.. I don't see how I ever made it! I see HUGE differences in my energy and the way I feel in general!
What worked for me was 'get over it'. Just starting drinking it! Its free!! =p You'll start to crave it.
NOW This is my opinion here! I'm not way a nutrition expert or health expert at all!::: I do think you might be holding yourself back by not drinking water. You aren't hydrating your body good enough to do its job. I don't want to go TMI.. but you need it for digestion.. poor digestion slows weight loss (this I actually read somewhere.. can't remember where). I say this is my opinion because unsweetened tea is made with water.. I don't think you would be getting enough hydration that way but I have no way to say that for sure.
Now.. I tell you to be prepared for the storm of 'anti diet soda'. =p I don't drink it because I think its horrible for you...
Drink Water!
Plain, clear, cold water!! 0 -
I am kind of the same way. I never thought drinking water was that important in weight loss, I thought it was mainly about what you ate and how much you exercised. Boy was I wrong! The farther I get, and the more I understand my body, the more I realize how important it is. Not only does it hydrate you, but it helps with going to the bathroom, flushing out excess salts in your body. Most people drink way too many soft drinks, diet or not its not good for you, and it is because we are a generation where cokes are not treats to be taken in moderation, they are how we stay hydrated, just what we drink. So I cut out soft drinks altogether. I still drink coffee everyday, you can't take that away from me, but I try to make sure no matter what that I drink 64 FL oz of water a day, or 4 16 oz bottles, that makes me feel less intimidated. Once you break the habit of the teas and cokes, and drink nothing but water, you'll realize how much better your body will feel. Less sluggish and heavy. Maybe you should try it. Make coke and tea a treat for yourself every so often, of course thats just my suggestion.0
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Okay first of all, I think you should learn how important water is. It flushes toxins from the body, dilutes high salt intake, aids in digestions, helps you feel fuller, great for your skin and muscle, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. Unsweetened tea and coffee are good in moderation but ditch the diet soda. Its full of aspartame and other chemicals (icky - 92 horrible side effects), and it only makes you crave less desirable foods, more.
If you have a lot of weight to lose, don't look at this as a diet or a temporary solution. Look at it as a lifestyle change. Do you see runners, athletes, thin people guzzling diet sodas? No they usually guzzle water. Its essential to a healthy and active lifestyle.
If it is THAT difficult for you to consume just regular 'ol water, figure out how you like it. Do you like it warm? Ice cold? room temp?Also, find ways to flavor it up - fresh squeezed lemons and limes, buy a water infuser bottle and experiment with different fruits. If you absolutely still don't like a natural alternative, try the 3,000 flavors offered by Crystal lite, mio, market pantry, Arizona, etc.
Its not just about hitting your goal and losing weight, its about treating your body right. Until you come to terms with that, you'll be struggling. I"m not trying to sound harsh, so far that I apologize, just trying to be real.
Good luck.0 -
Okay first of all, I think you should learn how important water is. It flushes toxins from the body, dilutes high salt intake, aids in digestions, helps you feel fuller, great for your skin and muscle, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. Unsweetened tea and coffee are good in moderation but ditch the diet soda. Its full of aspartame and other chemicals (icky - 92 horrible side effects), and it only makes you crave less desirable foods, more.
If you have a lot of weight to lose, don't look at this as a diet or a temporary solution. Look at it as a lifestyle change. Do you see runners, athletes, thin people guzzling diet sodas? No they usually guzzle water. Its essential to a healthy and active lifestyle.
If it is THAT difficult for you to consume just regular 'ol water, figure out how you like it. Do you like it warm? Ice cold? room temp?Also, find ways to flavor it up - fresh squeezed lemons and limes, buy a water infuser bottle and experiment with different fruits. If you absolutely still don't like a natural alternative, try the 3,000 flavors offered by Crystal lite, mio, market pantry, Arizona, etc.
Its not just about hitting your goal and losing weight, its about treating your body right. Until you come to terms with that, you'll be struggling. I"m not trying to sound harsh, so far that I apologize, just trying to be real.
Good luck.
I don't think you were too harsh, I think you're just to the point. I am in for a lifestyle change this time, and not a diet, but I hadn't really thought about it in the way that you related it to athletes. In my mind, I KNOW that diet soda isn't good for you (and that is why I don't have more than a 16.9oz bottle a day), but I'm not a coffee drinker and I use it for a pick me up at work in the mornings. I used to drink a TON of Dr. Pepper and not care how much, so I think I have come pretty far, but I can definitely work on this. I appreciate the push in the right direction. 0 -
Water isn't so much about weight loss as it is a part of good general nutrition. Hydration is important for nutrient absorption. Also...
First world problems are lame...0 -
Good luck! I never have drank enough fluids of any kind and still not up to 8 glasses a day yet but I'm working at it. I now fill a 1/2 gallon jug up in the morning in the my fridge (which is 8 glasses) and I just know it should be empty by the end of the day. I usually don't drink enough during the day when I'm gone to compensate for a lot of it so most of my water intake is at night. I'm not one to drink throughout the day so when I think of it I just force myself to pull out the jug and drink as much as I can at a time. I do feel better and I agree with the others that it does curb your appetite. I used to think I was hungry but I was just thirsty!0
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Water is good whether you are dieting or not. It flushes you out, helps most organs (if not all) by aiding in cleansing.
It obviously hydrates you. If you do not intake fluids, you will dehydrate and it CAN lead to death. Water is a VERY BIG necessity if you are in a hoter climate. I assume you're not since you are asking exactly why water is suggested to people who diet.
When you diet, you are getting rid of a lot of things, sweating alone decreases your body's fluid levels. When people diet, they usually are supposed to be exercising, and when you exercise you lose your fluids. So it's very very VERY wise to drink water. No you can use other things like Gatorade and such, but water is really the best since it doesn't have added "crap" to it. I hear that pickle juice is good for a pre/post workout session. I have never tried it though.
Water is good for "filling" you up to where you are less apt to eat a whole lot of food during your meals. Drink 1-2 cups before or during a meal, and you will fill up faster.
My water tastes like complete crap because I get it from the city. They put a LOT of "chemicals" in it to kill bacteria, so I literally have to add a sweetener to it. 1 pack is fine for a quart though, so I don't fret about it. I haven't done this lately but when I first started, I would drink a quart of tea and then a quart of water, alternating between the 2 drinks, Tea is good for you too, and it's a good way to "train" yourself to drinking water.
Now with me, water is my MAIN drink, and I used to be the same way you are, I HATED water. You kind just get used to it. I try to drink 2 quarts or more a day, to do this, you can put water in a quart glass, cup, or what, and just sip it all day, then refill it when it's empty.
Try to drink 2 cups after you work out (I don't do it before, because I would end up sick). 1-2 every main meal, and sips through the rest of the day. You'll get it.0 -
Water isn't so much about weight loss as it is a part of good general nutrition. Hydration is important for nutrient absorption. Also...
First world problems are lame...
We do have a Brita pitcher at home and I usually drink water for dinner - just not many other times during the day.
And granted there are many more problems in this world than my water intake, but I would say that I would rather be concerning myself with drinking more water and bettering my health than Kim Kardashian's new baby's name like everyone else. 0 -
Staying properly hydrated is very important for your general health. Your body uses the water to flush all sorts of nasties out of your body that get filtered out by your various internal organs. Forget weight loss, do it just for your general health.
Some people mix it with something called Crystal Light or other low-calorie flavorings to give it some flavor. I'd say just suck it up and drink the dang water, you'll get used to it.
I like your humor! Thanks for the push - I'll try drinking more of the dang water.
The funny thing about water - the more water I drink, the more I want to drink water.
Plus, my complexion is great now and my skin feels some much smoother and soft. Hydration does a body good.0 -
KK had a baby?
I'm so out of the loop.
I always have a water bottle with me when I go out (Brita filtered tap water) and always have a glass of water near me when sitting at home, or doing chores. It has become second nature.0 -
Water is all I drink except for my coffee in the morning and an acoholic beverage when I go out. I buy lemons, cut them up and squeeze them into my water all day and love it!!! I have a huge Bubba mug that I keep full and have tons of bottled water here on hand at work to keep refilling with.0
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someone told me once to drink water like it was my job!! lol i love that, except when i was fat i hated water... my entire life growing up i hated water, wasnt eve a big tea fan because it tasted reminded me of water...
Water is so so important to your health, it helps your body digest nutrients more efficiently, boosts your metabolism, cleans out toxins from your body, improves skin health, promotes better brain functionallity, and gives your muscles more energy to workout out harder for longer, not to mention aids in muscle recovery...
after a couple weeks of just sucking it up and drinking water i have come to love the stuff and cokes are just not as good as they used to be. i dont even crave them anymore.0 -
I agree with most of the posters above who extol the virtues of drinking water.
A couple more suggestions:
A water filter makes tap water taste much better as it takes away the 'chemical' and chlorine taste.
A slice of lemon or lime, a strawberry or a slice of cucumber in the water can give it a little flavour.
I drink pots of peppermint tea, which is basically just flavoured, caffeine free water.
So perhaps herbal teas can count towards your water intake too?
Good luck - as others have said, water intake is really important for your health, so worth persevering with.0 -
you could drink more unsweetened tea if you can at least get in non sugary non caffinated and non carbinated drinks that will help a lot I know the way it can effect your weight is you'll hold onto a lot of water weight... and when you go to exercise you'll have less energy, especially if you lift at all, your muscles will feel significanly less stronger during your workouts... I know if i'm getting to low on liquids just walking up the stairs in my house is tiresome where as if I'm hydrated its nothing really... so it may not stop you from losing fat, but just makes it harder to exercise, and also throws the scale off which can get discouraging 0
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It always baffles me when people say they don't like drinking water.
I must be part mermaid or something because I literally drink it all day long and don't even think twice about it.
Sometimes, like today, I put a wedge of lemon in my cup and just keep refilling it with ice and water every hour or so. You can also add a sprig of mint, cucumber slices, or lime to add a little taste to it.
I most definitely notice a difference in my body when I don't drink enough water. This is rare for me, but if I'm busy at work or out and about without a water bottle, I feel like crap later.0 -
TOPIC: Tell me about WATER
• Water is a chemical compound, and is the dynamic equilibrium between the liquid and gas states at standard temperature and pressure.
• Pure water (solely hydrogen and oxygen atoms) has a neutral PH of 7, which is neither acidic or basic.
• Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
• About 70% of an adults body is made of water, and it accounts for 80% of an infant's body weight.
• The total amount of water on the earth is about 326 million cubic miles of water.
• The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today.0 -
TOPIC: Tell me about WATER
• Water is a chemical compound, and is the dynamic equilibrium between the liquid and gas states at standard temperature and pressure.
• Pure water (solely hydrogen and oxygen atoms) has a neutral PH of 7, which is neither acidic or basic.
• Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
• About 70% of an adults body is made of water, and it accounts for 80% of an infant's body weight.
• The total amount of water on the earth is about 326 million cubic miles of water.
• The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today.
I can appreciate your scientific facts - my husband is a chemist. 0 -
Ummm it covers about 90 percent of the earths surface, but only about five to ten percent is drinkable....0
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Ummm it covers about 90 percent of the earths surface, but only about five to ten percent is drinkable....
Ummm... thanks.0 -
A decaffeinated or herbal unsweetened tea is every bit as good as water.0
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I literally don't understand how people say they don't like water. I just don't get it. Its freaking water, what most of our world and bodies are made up of. It doesn't taste like anything. And does nothing but help our bodies work.
Granted I don't prefer tap water, I'll still drink it over a soda. I prefer all water through my trust brita filter.0 -
Ummm it covers about 90 percent of the earths surface, but only about five to ten percent is drinkable....
and 20% of THAT is in one lake in Russia.
Dont sweat caffeine in coffee or tea or diet soda. It does NOT dehydrate you. Coffee/Tea/Diet Soda hydrates you just the same as plain old water.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15467100
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/214501180
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