Water For Weight Loss

The Importance Of Water

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard about the importance of consuming water, but what about the importance of water when it comes to weight loss? Consuming the correct amount of water will serve to actually increase your strength, help you lose fat, and prolong the time that you’re able to perform cardiovascular activity. Most people know that drinking water is important, but I rarely come across someone who drinks enough of it. It may come as a surprise to you, but most people actually go about their days in a state of constant dehydration. The sad thing about it is, they don’t even know it! Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about water.

Always Bring Water With You To The Gym

Water Facts

1. Roughly 70% of the fat-free mass of the human body is made of water.

2. Every process that your body carries out is in a medium of water.If dehydration is in effect, the efficiency of these processes will decrease.

3. Human brain tissue is roughly 85% water, if you’re dehydrated, brain activity is decreased. This can result in depression, or chronic fatigue.

4. Water carries every nutrient, mineral, vitamin, protein, hormone and chemical messenger in your body to its destination.

5. Proteins - the essential building block of muscles and the main metabolism booster, only functions efficiently in the presence of the correct amount of water.

6. The average adult loses up to 12 cups of water per day, simply through necessary bodily processes like respiration, perspiration, and excretion.

Water Bottles Make The Perfect Companion

7. Water consists of roughly 83% of your blood.

8. Water makes up 20% of your bones

9. Water regulates your body temperature, maintains your equilibrium, help the liver break down toxins, and releases more fat from your adipose stores.

10. Water serves to hydrate your joints. Sufficient water allows the two opposing sources of cartilage in yours joints to glide freely over each other, thus reducing friction and preventing damage. If you’re in a state of dehydration, abrasion is increased, thus causing joint deterioration and pain. This is particularly important if you run frequently.

11. The kidneys remove waste that must be dissolved in water. If dehydration is in effect then the body’s wastes will not be effectively removed. The kidney will then call in the liver for back up, and the liver will not be able to do what it does effectively, that is, burn fat. This is the number one reason why drinking plenty of water is not only necessary, but crucial to the fat loss process.The above facts about water only briefly skim the surface when it comes to emphasizing the importance of water. Drinking enough water is critical to keeping your skin soft and supple, your brain sharp, and your elimination systems regular. For the purposes of this book, we will keep this discussion fitness and fat loss oriented. If there’s only one thing that you need to take with you from this article, it’s this:

Water Maintains Skin Health

AVOID DEHYDRATION LIKE THE PLAGUE!

Most people know they should drink plenty of water, but the reality is that not many of them actually do. What’s the result of this? Well, mass dehydration. People often don’t recognize the effects of dehydration as actually being from dehydration. They think that they’re over tired or simply coming down with a cold when much of the time, they’re just dehydrated.

Being Hydrated Makes You More Defined

Often times people have come to me and questioned the idea of drinking lots of water on a daily basis. Their greatest concern was that of water retention. They were afraid that if they consumed a large amount of water, that they’d become bloated and less “defined.” The opposite is actually the case. The body treats a lack of water (dehydration) in the same manner as it treats a lack of food; it holds on to what little water it does have for dear life. If you consume less water than you need, more water will be retained. If you’re trying to look as lean as possible, drinking an adequate amount of water is the only way to go.

How Much Water Do You Need?

All this being said, just how much water is the right amount for you? Well, I’m sure you’ve all heard the 8-glasses-a-day speech. Unfortunately, this “fact” cannot be traced back to any real source of scientific evidence. The latest recommended intake by the National Research Council is 2.7L (91 ounces) of water per day for woman and 3.7L (125 ounces) of water per day for men.

Have A Full Glass After Exercise

Try to always follow this rule regardless of your level of thirst. It’s unwise to rely on your thirst reflex as an indication of whether you need water. The reason for this is that dehydration has already began if you’re starting to feel thirsty. Try to distribute your recommended daily intake of water throughout the day, regardless of if you’re thirsty or not. I find that the easiest way to do this is to simply carry around a water bottle with you throughout the day, and to periodically refill it. It’s much easier to stay adequately hydrated with a source of water nearby.