There is an ongoing debate on just how much water does a person need especially if they are both active and as part of a weight loss program.
"Conventional Wisdom" (CW): states that by that time we actually feel the sensation of being thirsty we are already well on our way of becoming dehydrated.
Dehydration also doesn't just show up in a desire to drink something "liquid". Our urine darkens, our mouth and even our eyes may become noticeably dry and irritated. Bad breathe is often a symptom of dry mouth including "morning breathe". All of this because of not being well hydrated. If we are under-hydrated for a period of time; our skin, hair and nails will become drier. If we become seriously dehydrated; usually a cause of illness (like the flu or even a heavy menstrual flow) or an event (unable to adequately gain access to water or other liquids); our internal organs suffer and even begin the process of "shutting down". Our heart rate and pulse become "thready" and rapid because it is having to work that much harder to pump what remaining liquids are in our body. Our kidneys and other vital organs also suffer as well; causing them to malfunction.
Then, there is the "case" of weight loss: which is what we are all interested in accomplishing. The continual daily practice of reaching for water has many intrinsic benefits that you may not know or have forgotten but bear repeating.
1) cold water raises our body temperature and therefore aids in burning calories. It is called "thermogenics" and it is the same reason why when we shiver
in cold weather, we actually are burning calories. It is the body's natural defense mechanism to trying to re-establish a core body temperature.
2) it flushes out toxins in our liver and other organs. End result our digestion and elimination (that's what we see on the scales when we are weighing) work better to give us the "results" we want to see from all of our hard work.
3) our skin glows
and if you have fine wrinkles and lines (and if you are over the age of 18 you do), the added water in your body fills in those fine lines and plumps them up. A lot cheaper and safer than Botox.
4) it fills you up. In fact, most people mistaken hunger for thirst and will grab food before considering that they are thirsty and not hungry. So, next time when you "think" you are hungry, drink a tall glass of cold water and see if that satisfies you. It might surprise you!
5) Often when you are feeling tired
it is really a mask for being dehydrated. So, the next time you think that you need a nap, try drinking a cold glass of H20 and see how you feel.
So,
how much is enough? One measure is to check the color of your urine. If it is pale lemon colored, like
lemonade, you are on your way of being fully hydrated.
If you want to aid your body in flushing out any stubborn water retention, aim for 80-100 oz of plain cold water per day.
Initially, you may go to the bathroom but that will taper off within 36-48 hours (so you might want to start on a non-work day, like during the weekend, if you are concerned about multiple bathroom breaks) and your body will have adapted to the extra fluids.
Some people say they don't like the "taste" of water.
I think what they really mean is they don't like the "non-taste" unless you mean tap water and your city water may have a residual chemical-treated taste. If that is the case, you can purchase filtered water pitchers (under $30) that you can fill up with your tap water and the filtration process will leave you with very "tasty" cold water.
If, after doing that, you "still" don't
like the "non-taste" (absence of chemicals, artificial sweeteners, sugar or other additives) of water, try adding some lemon or lime juice to it.
Get in the habit of bringing a bottle of your own water along with you as you "travel" through your day and you will always have the water that you like and your body needs right there with you.
Believe it or not, but some weight loss experts say that sometimes the difference between losing weight and staying stalled is an increase of drinking more plain water.
I would call that a "win-win" situation.
How about you?
Pam