Weight Loss Support - Water is an important key to weight loss for me

I do well when I drink enough water. But when I don't, the hunger pangs start coming and sabotage my weight loss.

A few days ago, I had run out of bottled water. I can't drink the tap water in my house, and I wasn't able to go out and get any bottled until half the day was over. So I spent the whole day eating and eating, just super hungry. I can never be without water again. I think it's totally true that sometimes when you think you're hungry, you're really thirsty. I've had 3 bottles of water today so far, and I feel amazing. The other day when I didn't have water, I was just eating and eating and watching the clock waiting for the next meal.

I TOTALLY AGREE!!!! The same thing happens to me!

Maybe you could buy a Brita water pitcher for backup when you run out of bottled water????

I second the Brita. If the water's really bad, boil then filter. I quit buying bottled water back in August and got a Brita, and have some jugs I just keep filling and refilling. It's much cheaper and tastes fine.

You're 100% correct though about the water. I'm the same way! If I drink my 4 glasses (who has 8oz glasses? Seriously! Mine are 'normal' size and they hold 16oz) a day then I just watch the weight come right off, as long as I'm still eating and exercising. If I don't, I hold on to it forever. I can often predict if I'll see the scale move down or not based on how much water I drank the day before.

That's the stuff of life right there. Don't neglect!

You're right about the water, it's amazing! Whenever I feel hungry, I think about how much water I've had, have more, then I'm not hungry! (Usually--sometimes I actually am hungry!)

I also have a Brita...it's great! Plus more environmental.

I was so very glad for this thread last night -- it reminded me to get in a couple more glasses of water! Soooooooooo important... thanks for posting, all!!

I love my britta pitcher. I also got a large pitcher so that once the water is filtered all the way I can pour it into the pitcher and then filter more...so that I always have plenty of water to drink =D

Water is great. When I'm losing weight I am powerfully thirsty all the time - oddly, it's one of the ways I know my plan is working even during those times that the scale isn't being friendly.

The chemical reaction of breaking down body fat to release chemical energy (lipolysis of triglycerides) uses water. I like to think that my thirst is a sign that my body is doing its lipolysis thing.

Started forcing myself to drink a bunch of water a day when I began losing weight, and now it's second nature. I'm nearly done with my daily goal today, and it's not even 10 am! Finally got my husband to realize the importance of water, as well...

Fantastic reminder! I have been downing water lately, and it really seems to help.

I agree ... water is a big part of my diet. I drink at least 2L a day. I find that drinking hot water especially helps, add some lemon and it's great for your digestion.

I agree with the Brita pitcher suggestion. It works so well!

thanks for the reminder - just filled up my drinking jar here in the office. Lots of hot herbal tea or iced herbal tea in the summer (I love wildberry zinger or other fruity teas) are another way to get lots of H20 in.

I couldn't agree with this more. I got sick with strep throat recently. And I didn't want anything down the gullet. My lips dried up and cracked and got infected, I was so thirsty. Doctor gave me a real lecture. Well, I got home after getting my meds--and I started drinking bottled water through a straw---hydration went up, lips healed, and I'm losing weight after regaining my appetite! I have had a little bit of ice cream--when I get that cue--you want more--I drink water first. Usually the icecream craving goes away.

That reminds me of an experience I had a couple of years ago... had to fast for a day before getting some blood work done. When I got up in the morning, as directed, I had "nothing" before the blood test. They didn't mean water, but I didn't understand that.

I mentioned to the phlebotomist that my tendons are easy to catch, so she chose to use a very small needle to draw my blood. She gets the needle in, and it's taking FOREVER for the blood to draw. Like 5 minutes! I asked her why, and she smiled kindly and said, "You're dehydrated." I was shocked she could actually tell that! She shared that it's always a good idea to be well hydrated when having blood drawn... goes a lot easier. I'm really good about my water now!

You're welcome everyone. It's crazy how not hungry I am when I drink enough water. I ate my lunch at 12, and I am not hungry.

I used to think eating by 8 o'clock each night was impossible. I thought it sounded like torture actually. I thought I needed a later-night snack to keep me on plan. But ever since I started back Weight Watchers and have been keeping myself well hydrated, I totally believe it is possible. I'm not saying it's bad to eat a late-night snack or that I will never do it again, but I just don't need to very often anymore.

I am having to learn EVERYTHING about nutrition. Lets just say that I was taught nothing about how to care for myself in any way, how to eat right, how to stay healthy, etc. So some seriously unhealthy habits were instilled into me from a very young age. I wish I had been taught to stay hydrated, among other things.

I've drunk three 16.9 oz bottles of water today, and I feel so good. I hope to get 2 or 3 more in by bedtime.