Water and It's Benefits!

Drink up!

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Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single

most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off.

Although most of us take for granted, water may be the only

true "magic potion" for permanent weight loss.

Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body

metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in

water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an

increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.

Here's why: The kidneys can't function properly without enough

water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is

dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is

to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But

if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work it can't

operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat

more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention.

When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to

survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored

in extra cellular spaces (outside the cell). This shows up as

swollen feet, legs and hands.

Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out

stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the

body perceives a treat and will replace the lost water at the

first opportunity. Thus, the condition quickly returns.

The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to

give your body what it needs -- plenty of water. Only then will

stored water be released.

If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt

may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a

certain concentration. The more salt you eat the more water

your system retains to dilute it.

But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy -- just drink more

water. As it's forced through the kidneys it takes away excess

sodium.

The overweight person needs more water than a thin one. Larger

people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is

the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the over weight

person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles

their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration.

It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows

weigh loss -- shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plumps

the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body

has a lot more waste to get rid of -- all that metabolized fat

must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.

Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too

little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources.

The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But

when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually

returns.

So far, we've discovered some remarkable truths about water and

weight loss:

* The body will not function properly without enough

water and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently.

* Retained water shows up as excess weight.

* To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.

* Drinking water is essential to weight loss.

How much water is enough? On the average, a person should drink

8-ounce glasses every day. That's about 2 quarts. However, the

overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds

of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased

if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.

Water should preferably be cold. It's absorbed into the system

more quickly than warm water. And some evidence suggests that

drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. To

utilize water most efficiently during weight loss, follow this

schedule:

Morning: 1 quart consumed over a 30-minute period.

Noon: 1 quart consumed over a 30-minute period.

Evening: 1 quart consumed between five and six o'clock.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally,

it's fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have

reached the "breakthrough point." What does this mean?

* Endocrine-gland function improves.

* Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost.

* More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to

metabolize stored fat.

* Natural thirst returns.

* There is a loss of hunger almost over night.

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be

thrown out of balance again, and you may experience fluid

retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To

remedy the situation you'll have to go back and force another

"breakthrough."

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
~~Unknown~~