Benefits of Drinking Water for Weight Loss

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Drinking Water

Drinking water is one of the simplest and easiest ways to boost your weight loss and improve your overall health and well-being.

And, I bet that right now, your body is thirsty!

In fact, did you know that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated?

See, that’s the biggest problem with water, few people actually think about drinking enough until they’re already thirsty!

Often times when we feel hungry or tired–and even before noticing any major signs like bloating or headaches–we might be really thirsty!

That’s why I recommend that you drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water per day for maximum results. You’ll start feeling better quickly just by staying well hydrated…

Benefits of Drinking Water

One of the best things about drinking water is that it curbs cravings and keeps your tummy feeling full. If you “think” you’re hungry, reach for a glass of water instead. You may just realize your body was actually thirsty and you’ll avoid any overeating.

Another benefit of drinking water is kidney health. Believe it or not, your kidneys pay a vital role in metabolizing fat.

And, they can’t function without enough water. So, when your kidneys aren’t working at full capacity, some of their work is dumped onto the liver.

One of your 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 work for the kidneys, it can’t operate at full capacity.

As a result, the liver metabolizes less fat and more fat remains stored in the body. This is when you’ll see your weight loss stall or stop all together.

Avoid Negative Waters

When you’re well-hydrated you not only curb cravings and improve organ function you also burn more calories. If you’re not hydrated, your body does not absorb nutrients properly and will hold onto them, holding onto your weight.

So, when I recommend eight 8 ounces glass of water a day, this doesn’t include beverages such as coffee and tea. These are considered “negative waters” and do NOT count toward your total daily fluid intake.

Other common negative waters that do not count include: diet sodas, regular sodas, energy drinks, juice, sports drinks, and other flavored waters with any type of sugar or sugar substitute.

If you’re an athlete and regularly consume sports drinks, consider diluting them so it is one half water and one half sports drink.

Now I know diet soda seems like a dieter’s dream. You can swill down as much as you want, and none of it will go to your thighs, right? Wrong. This bubbly beverage is sneaky and packs on the pounds.

Here’s how: Diet soda is sweetened with artificial sweeteners, which can be many times sweeter than regular sugar. That super-sweet taste can instantly trigger your natural desire for high-calorie, sugary foods.

The more you drink, the worse those cravings can be, prompting you to reach for real sweets. You can have diet soft drinks in moderation, but concentrate more on drinking water, sparkling water, or seltzer, all of which keep cravings on an even keel without sparking a junk-food binge.

If you decide to indulge in any of the “negative waters”, drink an extra 8 ounce glass of water to make up for it.

Waste Not Want Not

This one may be obvious, but it’s still important to remember. When we drink more water, we have to use the bathroom more often. Believe it or not, that’s a GOOD thing.

You see, drinking an ample amount of water helps get rid of fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and it begins to hold on to every last precious drop that it receives. Water is then stored outside of the cells. This, in turn, often causes swollen feet, legs, and hands.

The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body exactly what it needs: plenty of water.

Bonus Tip: Drink Water With Lemon

Here’s a “secret” tip I share in the 17 Day Diet, to use water to boost your weight loss even more.

Every morning, as soon as you rise, make one 8-ounce cup of hot water.

Squeeze half of a lemon (or 2 tbsp of unsweetened lemon juice) into the cup and drink up!

The lemon actually stimulates your digestive juices, and is a natural detoxifier. And, this counts are one of your 8 glass of water a day! Learn more about the benefits of drinking hot lemon water here.

Remember, your goal is to drink at least seven more glasses of water by the end of the day (and avoid “negative waters” to see the true benefits of staying hydrated.

So, drink up!