Water Weight?

Your kidneys regulate the amount of water in your body, the general rule is that water follows salt, and the kidney excretes or retains water by setting up sodium gradients in your kidneys (though ADH and other hormones play a big role too - hence changes during ovulation etc). Your body needs to have the right levels of Sodium and Potassium to function normally, and day to day differences in salt intake will be balanced out by kidneys. If you eat a low salt diet, you'll probably get rid of a lot of water to maintain normal sodium levels in the blood. Conversely if you eat a high salt diet, you'll retain some water.

Interestingly, if you drink too much water your body might not be able to excrete it fast enough, and you could end up with too much water in your body, causing relative concentration of sodium to fall. This is called hyponatremia and can have severe consequences. In fact, this is one of the things that causes the marathon runner deaths you hear about (last year's London marathon for instance).

Generally you should drink water if you feel thirsty.

The main reason diets advise people to drink a lot of water is that many of us confuse thirst with hunger! Drinking water should satiate those cravings in a half hour or so. So try having a small glass before having the snack.

Obs if you are working out and sweating a lot, you'll need to increase your water intake, but be reasonable - if you feel thirsty drink, if not, don't overdo it!

here you go. Good article on water consumption
at webmd


http://www.webmd.com/content/article/131/117956.htm

Thanks for the article link BANKS! It was VERY informative.

Naj:happy:

That's great advise guys! I agree and thank you! I'm a big salt person and I should really get off the salt!!!

i belong to a weight loss group, in my town. Last meeting we did an informatioin session on the hidden salts in foods.
i also switched my food diary settings to record my salt intake for the day...i go way over, and that is with trying not to have salt...it is really appaling.
Unfortunatly the food manufacturers use soooo much of it as a preservative, flavor enhancer, and filler.
Plus they know they can get away with it.
I have found a salt alternative, which is made up of nothing but spices, yet it tastes like seasoning salt. But...i have only found it sold at one store...and in canada. I am looking into it further, though. if i can find out more info, i will be sure to post it.
In the mean time...look closely at nutrition labels, and rince thoroughly everything that comes out of a can.
FYI...weight watchers bread has less sodium, and smaller slices...so 2 slices is = to a regular 1 slice serving. i was amazed.

Your welcome Amanda! Any time.