Water Drinking Question

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Sounds like you need more water. Not for weight loss but just for hydration from the sounds of your fainting and LBP!
Are you eating a lot of watery vegetables and soups? They add too, but it sounds like you need to buck up and get hydrated and flush your kidneys.

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

You can get used to very small amounts of water, which doesn't mean your body doesn't need more.

You could try adding some small amounts of water during the day - like: getting up in the morning, having "two shots" of water. Then with breakfast, half a glass of water... and so on.
You will probably have to take small steps increasing the water intake as your body seems pretty used to the situation.

So, I want to know what role drinking water has in weight loss. None at all, I'm pretty sure. Then why is it part of the logging? I probably drink 1-2 glasses of water a day. I don't drink anything else--no coffee or soda or alcohol--I'm just never thirsty. Do I really need to up my water intake if it just makes me feel bloated and gross? I have had issues with dehydration my whole life, including several fainting spells and low blood pressure, but now I just avoid outdoor activities.

Am I getting this all wrong? Will drinking more water help me lose weight?

Yes, drinking water will help a lot. I understand that it makes you feel "bloated and gross" but that is because your body isn't used to having much of it right now. Water is the supply line and lubricant for every bodily function. Your body will readjust to having more of it when you drink more regularly. Your kidneys, and every other organ, will thank you for it.
Yes you will go to the bathroom more, BUT that's a good thing. You'll be getting rid of more of the waste that you don't want to be carrying anyway.
Give it a try for 2 weeks and see how you feel.

http://allwomenstalk.com/10-ways-how-water-helps-you-to-lose-weight

10 ways water helps you lose weight.

People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty.

You realize the dehydration and passing out is another way your body tells you, right?

Try flavoring it. I hated water when I started out. Some people might argue with this but you might try adding the Propel flavor packets or Crystal Light packets to make it taste better. I did that and just got in the habit of drinking a lot of fluid. Or just ice water, helps with the taste. Just try to build up how much you drink. Water is really important, and yeah if your having issues with fainting and blood pressure you need more water. Or you can go talk to your doctor.

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

This is wrong. Your body will essentially "learn" to cope with what it's given, even if it's not enough. That's why people with hypothermia commonly don't feel all that cold, or people starving in concentration camps don't always feel hungry.

Just because you don't feel like your body is "telling" you something doesn't mean you don't need it. You need more water. 8 cups a day, minimum.

I don't eat a ton of vegetables and I HATE soup. So no, not really. People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water, but I'm never thirsty. When I do drink water, it just feels unpleasant.

You can get used to very small amounts of water, which doesn't mean your body doesn't need more.

You could try adding some small amounts of water during the day - like: getting up in the morning, having "two shots" of water. Then with breakfast, half a glass of water... and so on.
You will probably have to take small steps increasing the water intake as your body seems pretty used to the situation.

I agree with this advice above, OP.

I rarely feel thirsty either and for years and years I was totally fine with 1 cup of coffee and two 12 oz cans of diet cola per day. No other drinks and no water. I never had fainting spells or physician diagnosed dehydration but I definitely feel better drinking more water. I now drink about 60-80 oz per day as a 5'8" 170 lb woman and a lot of people say that's nowhere near enough but for me it seems to be pretty good.

I do think you may need to step it up slowly. Years ago there were times when I was used to very low intake of fluids and suddenly forced myself to drink a lot of it and I did feel bloated and was constantly in the restroom for a day or so (and inconveniently during the night). But your body really does get used to it.

What helped me was learning the best way to drink water for me is refrigerator cold in a cup with a straw. I don't really like ice water or room temperature water and drinking it out of a glass or bottle tastes less pleasant to me (although now I'll drink it however because I have truly come to prefer water).

I didn't mention this in my earlier post but I think one "vain" (probably the wrong word) motivator for me to drink more water is experiences I've had while using MFP. For example...road trip with my husband eating some fried food and sweets that I don't normally eat, and not drinking much water...4 lb temporary gain. A few weeks later on the exact same type of trip, same sort of food indulgences, but drinking loads of water during the trip...less than 1 lb temporary gain. Of course there could be many other variables at play there but for me that's proof enough ;-)

Based on your diary you are eating a lot of sodium. Drinking water will help dump some of that and you are probably carrying a little extra water weight, so that alone would be a good reason to drink more.

Dehydration can cause low blood volume which causes your heart to work harder than needed to get the blood and oxygen around your body. Low blood volume often causes low blood pressure when you stand up. That drop In Blood pressure will cause dizziness and sometimes cause you to completely black out.

Thirst isn't the only sign you need water. I fact if you ignore that signal long enough your brain will stop recognizing it completely. Kinda like hunger cues in people with eating disorders.

Really?! If this is true it is the single most interesting thing I've learned on MFP. Although water doesn't make me feel "gross", I also hardly drink any during the day because I'm a) busy and b) not thirsty. I also have very low blood pressure and get dizzy when I stand up. I had no idea the two may be related. *off to research*

i also hate drinking liquids . everyone always makes fun of me because whenever i get any drink in drink like a quarter of it. i probably drink about 3-4 8oz cups on days i work out and 1-2 on days i dont. for me its enough i never really get thirsty and i dont have fainting spells or low blood pressure. i would say try to get at least 16 oz in a day and i think you'll be ok. before i started all this i could go all day without drinking a thing.

If your body works properly and you don't have any mental condition affecting intake, you can rely on your sense of thirst to tell you how much water to drink.

F you're passing out and have low blood pressure, it would indicate that something is off with your body, so you should consult a doctor.

Good luck.

I hate plain water. So I add no added sugar squash to it and have it hot.

People always say that your body will tell you when it needs water...

Yeah, that's why you have low blood pressure and fainting spells.

If you drank more water your blood pressure would increase to a normal level and you would not have those fainting spells.

Sheesh... shaking my head.