Drink water to LOSE WEIGHT??!!

I'd first like to say that I am not certain as to why people don't like to drink the amount of water they should drink...maybe it's because there is just so much junk on the shelves to drink that people "don't like it" or "don't like the taste" (responses told to me), which doesn't make sense...since water doesn't have taste to begin with...

Or maybe because there are actually some people that truly believe that if they drink too much water they will gain weight from "water retention" (which is false)...

Or maybe people think they will have to visit the restroom every 5 minutes...this is not the case either, however, yes, you will visit more often...albeit a small price to pay for overall health and performance.

but these are just opinions...let's look at FACTS.

There is truly nothing like plain old water. Water is actually able to play a significant role in LOSING WEIGHT! If you're looking to slim down, it is just as important to drink lots of water, not just eat the right foods. Think about the fact that since it has no calories and no sugar, it is the perfect libation: it actually speeds up your metabolism. While this may be a modest way to lose weight, it does help. Drinking extra water is a good thing. Check out this AMAZING article I found on webmd:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040105/drinking-water-may-speed-weight-loss

Drinking water also hydrates your cells so they can efficiently process carbs and fats. If you decide to clean up your diet and eliminate white sugar, artificial flavors, etc...your body will go thru some serious but temporary changes, because it is purifying your system. If your body is not properly hydrated, your kidneys won't be able to remove the waste from your body as efficiently as it should.

So...how much is the right amount? If you're not drinking a half-ounce per pound of body weight, you're not drinking enough, no matter what you've heard. Since I'm on the track to getting back up to 185 (this time in muscle mass and not fat!!!) I'd want to drink about 95 ounces of water PER DAY. If you think that you are different, you're wrong. Read Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, MD.'s book, Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life for more information that debunks that myth. If you exercise, you'll have no problem drinking that much. I go thru almost a gallon of water if I combine how much I drink before, during and after exercise. I also sip water throughout the day so that I am not feeling hungry. By the way, that is also a key factor in losing weight:

WATER SATIATES HUNGER!

If you feel hungry, it isn't necessarily because you need food, but it may because you are dehydrated. This is one of the reasons why people become overweight and QUICKLY at that...because they overeat when they aren't hungry, but thirsty. Drinking MORE water will change your food cravings. You'll crave more protein than bad carbs. Many people who go on diets think they are hungry, but simply drinking water will satisfy the needs of the body. Because the brain generates the sensation of hunger and thirst at the same time, many think they should reach for a snack rather than a glass of water. If you drink water BEFORE you eat, the two sensations are separated, the hunger is satiated, and your goals of losing weight become MUCH easier.

You can't fool your body, but your body can fool you so be sensitive and know WHEN you last ate, so that you don't spike your insulin and eat at the wrong times when you should have drank water. My next blog will cover the important topic of WHEN to eat, and why that is important in not only losing weight, but preventing type 2 diabetes as well.

One other thing: don't drink water laced with "vitamins" and other chemicals. Usually "vitamin waters" are filled with corn syrup or sucrose syrup (same thing) and other additives like artificial sweeteners, colours and added calories.

Leave your questions and comments!

Dave Rydelnik

P.S. click pictures below for high quality vitamins.