Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true 'magic potion' for permanent weight loss. Water suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat. 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.
Help Those Kidneys
Here's why. The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When they do not work to capacity, some of the load is passed on to the liver. One of the liver’s primary functions is to turn stored fat into usable energy for the body. But if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it cannot work at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat; more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.
Shed Water With Water
Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is then stored and this shows up as swollen feet, hands and legs. Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.
If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in certain concentrations. The more salt you eat, the more water your system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy - just drink more water. As it is forced through the kidneys, it takes away excess sodium.
The overweight person needs more water than the thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water. Water helps maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss.
Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of - all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.
Water Relieves Constipation
Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function returns.
So far, we have discovered some remarkable truths about water and about weight loss. The body will not function properly without enough water and cannot metabolize stored fat efficiently. Retained water shows up as excess weight. To get rid of excess water you must drink more water. Drinking water is essential to weight loss. How much water is enough? On the average, a person should drink eight (250ml) glasses everyday. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 12kg of excess weight.
The amount that you drink should be increased if you exercise or if the weather is hot and dry. Water should preferably be cold - it is absorbed more quickly into the system than warm water. Some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually burn calories.
To utilize water most efficiently during weight loss, follow a schedule:
* Morning: One litre consumed over a 30 minute period
* Noon: One litre consumed over a 30 minute period
* Evening: One litre consumed in the early evening between 5 & 8 PM.
When the body gets the water it needs to function properly, its fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached the "breakthrough point'.
What does this mean? Endocrine gland function improves. Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost. More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat. Natural thirst returns. There is a loss of hunger almost over night.
If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy this situation you have to go back and force another breakthrough.
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