Water is vital to your health and survival. This fact is so simple, but so overlooked. Most people are in a state of dehydration.
The effects of even mild dehydration include fatigue, dry skin, constipation, muscle pain, stiff joints, high blood pressure and decreased urine output. The most overlooked symptom is headaches. Most often when we have headaches it’s simply a matter of not drinking enough water.
Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces and this shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. Also, studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.
How do you know if you are dehydrated? If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. A dry mouth should be regarded as the last outward sign of dehydration. That’s because thirst does not develop until body fluids are depleted well below levels required for optimal functioning.
Here’s the rule of thumb for optimal water consumption: Drink 50% of your body weight in ounces of water daily. For instance, if you are 150 pounds, you must drink at least 75 ounces of water a day.
If that seems like a daunting task, it’s just a matter of making water consumption a habit. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. Take a bottle with you everywhere you go: in your car, on your desk, by your bed. In time, it will become a habit and you will feel the difference.
Water intake needs to be spread out throughout the day. You can’t drink water all at once to make up because your body won’t absorb it. And sorry, coffee, tea, juices and sodas don’t count as part of your water intake because they can be dehydrating.