Plain water really necessary?

I don't like plain water so I always add some kind of Crystal Light (or something similar) to mine.

Beyond the tap: Other sources of water
Although it's a great idea to keep water within reach at all times, you don't need to rely only on what you drink to satisfy your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake, while the remaining 80 percent comes from water and beverages of all kinds.

For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90 percent to 100 percent water by weight. Beverages such as milk and juice also are composed mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages — such as coffee, tea or soda — can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is one of your best bets because it's calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.

i LOVE my plain water, i used to drink nothing but diet coke

no more! i try to drink about 1-2 litres a day, depending on if i am thisty/exercising

it is better for you to drink plain water, try it for a couple of weeks and you wont go back to soda

:flowerforyou:

I don't like plain water so I always add some kind of Crystal Light (or something similar) to mine.

Just went today and bought like 10 boxes of different flavored crystal lights because I had run out a few days ago and realized I wasn't drinking nearly enough water. Love the stuff!!!

I love Crystal Light also, I do put a bit more water in it.

I have found it very beneficial to drink only water most of the time (I have coffee in the mornings and an occasional cup of tea later, but I don't drink artificially flavored drinks or soda or fruit juice)

Taking in more water than you think you need helps your body flush the excess water away, thus leading to a slimmer figure because you're not carrying the extra water weight. When I first started on my journey, I lost 11 lbs in 10 days (and yes I ate ALL my calories -if not a few more). That boost to my weight loss was most likely attributed to me flushing my system to get rid of excess water. It also helps to counteract the sodium in your foods and it pads your muscles when you do intense workouts. Your body is comprised of mostly water and every function in your body needs water in order to be carried out... so giving your body lots of water is a good thing...

That said, you can get your water from other drinks (and your fruits and veggies), but your body has to filter all the other junk out in order to use it... and some of the other junk will include sodium or sugar or chemicals... It's just less effective than plain water, in my opinion.

I am of the understanding that no we do not need 8 glasses of water a day, that yes we do get some of our hydration from foods as well as drinks with water in them. But I can tell you from personal experience that the benefits I have gotten from water go beyond the normal scope of hydration. It has improved the look and feel of my skin, hair and nails and the big one, it has helped with some god awful aches and pains I have always had. They say that the benefit of drinking water can actually lube some of those crooked joints, in my case I believe it has helped in that department....in addition to flushing the crud.....

:drinker:

I make sweet tea and sweeten it with Spenda. O calories and gives you all the tasty water you need!

I am by no means an expert and I have just started out but I drink about 12 8oz. glasses of water a day. Been doing it for 2 weeks now and I can't get enough of it. I think I've gotten sort of addicted. I'm not a water nut, I love the sodas and coffee, but it's just something about drinking lots and lots of water that makes me want more. Also I read this article, maybe it will help you understand or not. Helped me, so I'll share. It's pretty long but very beneficial. Enjoy.

Why Drinking Water Really is the Key to Weight Loss
by Maia Appleby
Don't roll your eyes! The potion for losing that excess body fat is all around you. It covers two thirds of the planet. If you eat right and exercise at the intensity, frequency and duration proper for you, but still can't get rid of a little paunch here and there, you're probably just not drinking enough water.

No need to get defensive. You're actually quite normal. Most people don't drink enough water. Most people are also carrying around a few more pounds than they would be if they did drink enough water. If you can't seem to get that weight off, try drowning your sorrows in nature's magical weight-loss mineral. It works, and here's why:

"What on Earth is 'metabolism', anyway?" People use the term all the time, but ask them what it means and you'll get all kinds of answers. Merriam Webster defines it as, "The process by which a substance is handled in the body." A little vague, but that's really all it means.

There are many forms of metabolism going on in your body right now, but the one everyone is talking about it the metabolism of fat. This is actually something that the liver does when it converts stored fat to energy. The liver has other functions, but this is one of its main jobs.

Unfortunately, another of the liver's duties is to pick up the slack for the kidneys, which need plenty of water to work properly. If the kidneys are water-deprived, the liver has to do their work along with its own, lowering its total productivity. It then can't metabolize fat as quickly or efficiently as it could when the kidneys were pulling their own weight. If you allow this to happen, not only are you being unfair to your liver, but you're also setting yourself up to store fat.

"I've tried it and I couldn't stand it!" The problem is that, though many decide to increase their water intake, very few stick with it. It's understandable. During the first few days of drinking more water than your body is accustomed to, you're running to the bathroom constantly. This can be very discouraging, and it can certainly interfere with an otherwise normal day at work. It seems that the water is coming out just as fast as it's going in, and many people decide that their new hydration habit is fruitless.

Do take heed , though. What is really happening is that your body is flushing itself of the water it has been storing throughout all those years of "survival mode". It takes a while, but this is a beautiful thing happening to you. As you continue to give your body all the water it could ask for, it gets rid of what it doesn't need. It gets rid of the water it was holding onto in your ankles and your hips and thighs, maybe even around your belly. You are excreting much more than you realize. Your body figures it doesn't need to save these stores anymore; it's trusting that the water will keep coming, and if it does, eventually, the flushing (of both the body and the potty) will cease, allowing the human to return to a normal life. It's true. This is called the "breakthrough point."

One recent finding, as irresponsible as it may be, that caffeine increases the body's fat-burning potential has many people loading up on coffee before going to the gym. This finding may hold some degree of truth in it, but caffeine is, in essence, a diuretic, and diuretics dehydrate. Caffeine may increase the heart rate, causing a few more calories to be burned, but this is at the expense of the muscles, which need water to function properly. This isn't doing your heart any favors, either. It's already working hard enough during your workout. Never mix caffeine and exercise. In fact, your best bet is to stay away from caffeine all together. It's a big bully that pushes your friend water out of your system.

Water is the best beauty treatment. You've heard this since high school, and it's true. Water will do wonders for your looks! It flushes out impurities in your skin, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion. It also makes your skin look younger. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated.

In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you're blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won't notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you'll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin.

"Eight glasses a day? Are you kidding?!" It's really not that much. Eight 8-ounce glasses amount to about two quarts of water. This is okay for the average person, but if you're overweight, you should drink another eight ounces for every 25 pounds of excess weight you carry. You should also up this if you live in a hot climate or exercise very intensely.

This water consumption should be spread out throughout the day. It's not healthy at all to drink too much water at one time. Try to pick three or four times a day when you can have a big glass of water, and then sip in between. Don't let yourself get thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you're already becoming dehydrated. Drink when you're not thirsty yet.

Do you think water is yucky? Drinking other fluids will certainly help hydrate your body, but the extra calories, sugar, additives and whatever else aren't what you need. Try a slice of lemon or lime in the glass, or if you really think you hate water, try a flavored water. Just make sure you read the labels. Remember that you're going to be consuming a lot of this fluid.

It's probably a good idea to stop drinking water a good three hours before you go to bed. You know why.

"How cold should it be?" This is debatable. Most experts lean toward cold water, because the stomach absorbs it more quickly. There is also some evidence that cold water might enhance fat burning.
On the other hand, warmer water is easier to drink in large quantities, and you might drink more of it without even realizing it. Do whatever suits you, here. Just drink it!

When you drink all the water you need, you will very quickly notice a decrease in your appetite, possibly even on the first day! If you're serious about becoming leaner and healthier, drinking water is an absolute must. If you're doing everything else right and still not seeing results, this might just be what's missing.