Does drinking a lot of water really help?

schwest76
schwest76 Posts: 77 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
I know, this may seem like a silly question. I just really struggle with consuming enough; I usually average about 40 ounces a day. It isn't that I don't like it, I just don't tend to drink a lot of anything throughout the day. I've read that we should drink at least 64 ounces and I've also read not to stress about it because we get it in our fruits/vegetables/teas/coffee etc.

So, does it really speed up weight loss? Have you noticed a difference with weight or anything else?
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Replies

  • Dia_DoesThis
    Dia_DoesThis Posts: 20 Member
    Yes. It's calorie free. It has many benefits though. It's prolly the purest thing you can out into your body. Our bodies are also made up of mostly water
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    My understanding: staying hydrated keeps the systems in your body running smoothly. That is a good thing and can impact weight loss indirectly, such as if you tend to munch when you feel lousy . Drinking plenty of water can also help you avoid over eating, which CAN impact weight loss directly.
  • alyssa0061
    alyssa0061 Posts: 652 Member
    Yes. It's calorie free. It has many benefits though. It's prolly the purest thing you can out into your body. Our bodies are also made up of mostly water

    Yes to what? It doesn't speed up weight loss.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Water is essential, but the body is capable of absorbing it from most of the foods/drinks we take in. It can impact weight loss on a WATER LOSS level. If one increases sodium immensely, water is retained in the body. Drink more water and water is released. But again, that's water weight, no "real" weight.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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  • KDC1229
    KDC1229 Posts: 10 Member
    schwest76 wrote: »
    I know, this may seem like a silly question. I just really struggle with consuming enough; I usually average about 40 ounces a day. It isn't that I don't like it, I just don't tend to drink a lot of anything throughout the day. I've read that we should drink at least 64 ounces and I've also read not to stress about it because we get it in our fruits/vegetables/teas/coffee etc.

    So, does it really speed up weight loss? Have you noticed a difference with weight or anything else?

  • KDC1229
    KDC1229 Posts: 10 Member
    KDC1229 wrote: »
    schwest76 wrote: »
    I know, this may seem like a silly question. I just really struggle with consuming enough; I usually average about 40 ounces a day. It isn't that I don't like it, I just don't tend to drink a lot of anything throughout the day. I've read that we should drink at least 64 ounces and I've also read not to stress about it because we get it in our fruits/vegetables/teas/coffee etc.

    So, does it really speed up weight loss? Have you noticed a difference with weight or anything else?


    Water is cleansing and our body needs it to remove toxins so does it help with weight loss:... YOU BETCHA'
    It is a natural diuretic and energy stimulator while at the same time cleanses your entire body.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I have to drink enough water or I get dizzy...aka low blood pressure.

    As well I get thirsty etc.

    But does it help with weight loss...sure indirectly.

    If you are full with water you are less likely to eat or think you are hungry.
    Often times people confuse thirst with hunger.
    Requires more movement to go get the water and go pee a lot.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I have to drink enough water or I get dizzy...aka low blood pressure.

    As well I get thirsty etc.

    But does it help with weight loss...sure indirectly.

    If you are full with water you are less likely to eat or think you are hungry.
    Often times people confuse thirst with hunger.
    Requires more movement to go get the water and go pee a lot.

    I love your answer. Water doesn't help me lose weight directly. But it helps me indirectly in controlling my hunger and in learning not to mistake hunger for thirst. It also makes my skin look better. And it makes a dramatic improvement in my dry, itchy winter skin problem.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I always feel hungry in the AM but it goes away when I start drinking tea - I was actually thirsty and am not truly hungry until after nature calls. So yes, it helps me indirectly by saving me calories when I get my hunger cues confused with thirst cues, a phenomenon not unique to me.
  • courtneyfabulous
    courtneyfabulous Posts: 1,863 Member
    It has health benefits. Weight loss benefits are unclear. Try to get 2 to 3 liters a day though.
  • girlwithcurls2
    girlwithcurls2 Posts: 2,281 Member
    OP, figure out what works for you. Drinking water has never made me feel full. If I'm hungry, I'll eat. Drinking water is not the solution for that in my case. I try to sip water throughout the day, but really, if I drank as much water as people on this site suggest, I'd get fired from my job. Some of us can't get out to pee 1-2 times per hour.
  • jlynnm70
    jlynnm70 Posts: 460 Member
    Water helps me feel full, helps me feel better. And if you drink water...it does help metabolism - your body still has to process the water, but at 0 calories, you run at a deficit. Plus it keeps me from drinking higher calorie stuff.
  • _Justinian_
    _Justinian_ Posts: 232 Member
    edited January 2017
    Edit: Doesn't speed up weight loss. For me, the difference was in significant reduction in sugar and other cravings, clearer skin, increased energy, rarely if ever getting headaches, a more sensitive palette for food, better sleep, not mistaking dehydration for hunger, and just feeling more relaxed and calm in general.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    schwest76 wrote: »
    I know, this may seem like a silly question. I just really struggle with consuming enough; I usually average about 40 ounces a day. It isn't that I don't like it, I just don't tend to drink a lot of anything throughout the day. I've read that we should drink at least 64 ounces and I've also read not to stress about it because we get it in our fruits/vegetables/teas/coffee etc.

    So, does it really speed up weight loss? Have you noticed a difference with weight or anything else?

    Drinking water doesn't have anything to do with weight loss other than pushing out excess retention and sodium. It has nothing to do with losing fat. Not everything "health" is about weight loss...being properly hydrated is good for your body...it's healthy...doesn't have anything to do with weight loss.
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    schwest76 wrote: »
    I just really struggle with consuming enough; I usually average about 40 ounces a day. It isn't that I don't like it, I just don't tend to drink a lot of anything throughout the day. I've read that we should drink at least 64 ounces and I've also read not to stress about it because we get it in our fruits/vegetables/teas/coffee etc.

    Forty ounces a day on top of what you're eating is plenty, unless you're working out hard or otherwise losing a lot of fluid. Drink to thirst instead of stressing over forcing fluids. The whole "eight 8-oz. glasses a day" thing has no scientific basis, nor does "drink half your weight in ounces," nor does the idea that you can't count any fluid but water. It makes no significant difference to your metabolism, either. The primary weight-loss benefit is if you're drinking water instead of sugary, high-calorie sodas and coffee drinks.
  • maybe1pe
    maybe1pe Posts: 529 Member
    yayamom3 wrote: »
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    I have to drink enough water or I get dizzy...aka low blood pressure.

    As well I get thirsty etc.

    But does it help with weight loss...sure indirectly.

    If you are full with water you are less likely to eat or think you are hungry.
    Often times people confuse thirst with hunger.
    Requires more movement to go get the water and go pee a lot.

    I love your answer. Water doesn't help me lose weight directly. But it helps me indirectly in controlling my hunger and in learning not to mistake hunger for thirst. It also makes my skin look better. And it makes a dramatic improvement in my dry, itchy winter skin problem.

    what they said. drinking more water has helped me become more aware of true hunger and cut down on snacking. I don't think about food as much if I'm hydrated.

    Plus I notice a difference in my skin when I'm drinking enough water and when I'm not. My skin is clearer and less dry and itchy in general if I'm hydrated.
  • ColoradoChlo
    ColoradoChlo Posts: 517 Member
    It's helped me, personally, have more energy and feel less bloated.
  • labblb86
    labblb86 Posts: 28 Member
    I feel less bloated when I drink lots of water. I drink 100 oz+ per day. Even during TOM, I no longer retain water or feel bloated if I drink this amount of water daily.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Does absolutely nothing for me. Doesn't fill me up one bit, just makes me pee a lot.
  • kkress92
    kkress92 Posts: 118 Member
    There is no "right" quantity of water. Drink if you are thirsty or if your urine is darker than pale yellow. Any more than that is pointless, unless you're trying to up your calorie burn by running to the toilet all day. ;)
  • jamacianredhair
    jamacianredhair Posts: 230 Member
    If you drink more water throughout the day you will crave food less. Sometimes when you feel hungry it's your bodys way of saying it needs water.

    Like someone said before your body will absorb water from the food you eat.

    I try to drink half my body weight in ounces per day. It's hard at first but your body will adjust and instead of craving food you will crave water.

    Does it aid in weight loss? Ummmmm I guess it's how you look at it. For me yes it helps me to not snack, cure hunger pains, increases my energy and my skin is fabulous!

    Just speaking from my personal experience.

  • KhaleesiBlue
    KhaleesiBlue Posts: 13 Member
    I wasn't drinking enough and my bm's were hard and painful and I was getting headaches every day. I started drinking close to a gallon a day and just realized that I hadn't had a headache in a long time. I have a prolapse, so straining to use the bathroom is a big no no. Water really helps in that department and I can tell if I haven't had enough. It helps me eat less too

  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    It actually does have to do with weight loss. The body requires water to break down fat and for metabolism (aka burning calories). But past a certain amount, more water has no effect.
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    Whether it actually makes a difference or not, I do lose weight when I consistently drink 8 -10 glasses of water a day.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    Whether or not you drink it to help with weight loss, it does have it's advantages. I do believe the body needs it; It does help keep you hydrated - helps the skin that way too. It's a natural diuretic so it will help you poop (lack of water can make you constipated). If you have too much salt, it can help flush it out of your system. Stuff like that.

    I have found too that the more I drink it the more I want it. Sometimes I do get tired of the protein water or the diet soda's, and I don't like coffee or tea.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    KDC1229 wrote: »
    KDC1229 wrote: »
    schwest76 wrote: »
    I know, this may seem like a silly question. I just really struggle with consuming enough; I usually average about 40 ounces a day. It isn't that I don't like it, I just don't tend to drink a lot of anything throughout the day. I've read that we should drink at least 64 ounces and I've also read not to stress about it because we get it in our fruits/vegetables/teas/coffee etc.

    So, does it really speed up weight loss? Have you noticed a difference with weight or anything else?


    Water is cleansing and our body needs it to remove toxins so does it help with weight loss:... YOU BETCHA'
    It is a natural diuretic and energy stimulator while at the same time cleanses your entire body.
    There really aren't any "toxins" in the body. High dosage of ANYTHING in the body can become TOXIC (including water), but the body doesn't produce any toxins.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    It actually does have to do with weight loss. The body requires water to break down fat and for metabolism (aka burning calories). But past a certain amount, more water has no effect.
    Explain how the body needs water to break down fat.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

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  • SusanMFindlay
    SusanMFindlay Posts: 1,804 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    It actually does have to do with weight loss. The body requires water to break down fat and for metabolism (aka burning calories). But past a certain amount, more water has no effect.
    Explain how the body needs water to break down fat.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    Some of the chemical reactions involved in metabolism are hydrolysis reactions - which means they require water as a reactant. Conveniently, the body is more than 80% water and has no trouble finding the water it needs to do this. So, it's true but not relevant.
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