Water Consumption and Your Weight Loss

Water for weight loss.

Water makes up about two-thirds of your body weight.  Seems strange, but it's true.  Drinking water may also help you lose weight!  A recent study on drinking water for weight loss found that people who drank two 8-ounce glasses of water before a meal ate 75 to 90 fewer calories.  That is great news because drinking water can and cut 500 calories per day can lead to losing a pound a week!

Not only will drinking water before your meal help you feel full before you start eating, but drinking water will also help you avoid sugary beverages like soda and juice. Most people drink around 300 calories or more per day, making sodas and juices a huge contributor to our daily caloric intake.  Some experts estimate that people who drink two sodas per day gain one pound per week!

There are other benefits of drinking water that may help you with your weight loss goals.  People often report feeling tired, sluggish, and get headaches when they are dehydrated.  So, staying hydrated may help give you that extra boost you need to exercise.  Just remember: when you exercise, you sweat, and you need to replace those lost fluids with water! 

Most experts recommend drinking 6-9 eight-ounce glasses of  water daily.  Here are some practical tips to help increase your water intake:

• Drink water before and after every meal.
• Drink water before and during exercise.
• Fruits and vegetables like celery, tomatoes, oranges, and melons contain a lot of water and are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals!
• Drink sparkling water at holiday parties and social events.
• Carry a refillable water bottle with you – you will have a constant source of water and will be “green” too!