The rising temperature of the summer might serve as a reminder just how much your body craves water. Hands-down the best resource for hydration, water is also a great resource during your medical weight loss program. Unlike its sugary alternatives like soda and sweet-teas, water has zero calories. It contains no caffeine, no sugar and absolutely no fat.
Staying Hydrated with Water
Our bodies require water for survival. Every organ in the body relies on water to function properly. This includes the heart, the brain, your kidneys and even your skin. Drinking plenty of water every day can also benefit your weight loss goals by quelling hunger and helping the metabolism to work more efficiently.
Sadly, most people aren’t getting enough water to keep their body in optimal health, let alone use the beverage to help with their weight loss goals. The body cannot replenish fluids on its own. If you don’t drink enough water daily you may become dehydrated. This is a potentially severe condition that is often market by symptoms like:
- Excessive thirst
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Rash
- Constipation
- Dizziness
The exact amount of water we each need every day is a hot topic of debate. The truth is that it ranges for every person as activity levels and environmental factors change. The more you sweat, the more your body requires water.
As a standard rule, most adults need at least 64 ounces of water every day. This number might go up, depending on your lifestyle, activity level and other factors.
Try adding more water to your diet by developing healthy drinking habits:
- Start your day off with one tall glass of water every morning
- Carry a water bottle with you and challenge yourself to drink the entire contents of it while at work or running errands
- Keep water bottles around the house and in the refrigerator instead of cans of soda
- Skip sodas at restaurants and order water instead
Another way to encourage yourself to drink more water is to add a bit of natural flavor. You can do this with a small squirt of lemon or lime juice, with a fresh cut piece of fruit or with a sprig of mint. This might help you enjoy your beverage more without adding any calories to your cup. Use these strategies to try to drink water more often as you focus on losing weight.
