Drinking water can be the easiest thing you do to lose weight. It is the only true 'magic potion' for weight loss. Water suppresses your appetite and helps your body release stored fat. When you exercise, your body begins to break down the fat cells. You need to drink plenty of water so your body can flush out the fat.
Drinking water also increases your basal metabolic rate. Your body has to process the water, and in doing so burns additional calories. Studies also show that drinking cold water burns more calories because your body first has to bring the water up to your internal temperature.
So how much water is enough? Probably not the eight glasses we've always been told. Eight 8-ounce glasses is fine if you only weigh 130 pounds. To calculate how much water you need, divide your weight in half. You should drink that many ounces of water each day. If you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water.
I know what you're thinking….."There's no way I can drink that much water!" But rest assured, you can, and your body will thank you for it. At first, you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom. But in about two weeks, your body will be fully hydrated and your bathroom breaks will level off. During those first few weeks of frequent pit stops, just think of it as part of your exercise program. Consider all the squats you're doing, and if you wear clothing like overalls, you'll be getting some good stretching in as you pull them on and off.
Drinking enough water helps your kidneys and liver function at optimal capacity. This is important because these organs are directly related to weight loss and more importantly fat loss. If you're not getting enough water, your kidneys can't function properly. When the kidneys don't function properly, the liver steps in to take on some of the kidney's work.
One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into energy. If the liver is helping the kidneys, it can't function as its optimal capacity, which results in less fat being metabolized.
Keep in mind that other drinks can count towards your water goal. Watch the calorie count so you don't end up drinking too many extra calories. Flavored water and iced tea are good substitutes if you don't especially care for the taste of water. But drinks with caffeine don't count towards your goal, and in fact count negatively. If you can't resist your morning coffee and aren't willing to switch to decaf, you'll need to increase your water consumption by that many additional ounces.
Try to reach your water goal by dinner. Don't try finished those last twenty ounces of water right before bed. Adequate sleep is also an important factor in losing weight.
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Water's important for weight loss... so our first challenge starting Friday will be to make sure we are adequately hydrated. Make sure you're drinking your proper amount of H20 on a daily basis.
That proper amount, is 1/2 your body weight in ounces... and that number is in your stats. Do your best to m ake sure you're getting that water.
1 Bonus point weekly. will be awarded to each team that has at least 50 percent compliance with the challenge request. Week will be 60 percent compliance, week 3 70 percent, week 4 80 percent, week 5, 90 percent, week 6 100 percent)
For these challenges you are on the honor system, if you said you drank all your water,we will believe you.. now remember this is only a game, and we care about your health... please be honest.
Beat the Flu! Here's How Tips to Prevent and Overcome Winter Viruses -- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian
When a virus enters your body, one of three things can happen:
The virus can die, OR
Your immune system can activate and kill the virus, OR
The virus can survive, multiply, and produce a cold or the flu.
How do you keep this from happening?
Prevention
The power of produce: Plant foods contain natural disease fighting compounds called phytochemicals and antioxidants. These substances can enhance your immune system. Therefore, eat vegetables and fruits at least 5 times a day, preferably 7-9 times.
Exercise: Regular, moderate exercise will stimulate the fighting T cells into doing their job – attacking foreign invaders like germs and viruses.
Healthy Lifestyle: To improve your immune system and resistance to disease commit to these guidelines: do not smoke, sleep 7-8 hours each night, eat a nutritious diet that includes breakfast, and avoid (or take steps to reduce) mental stress.
Germs: To avoid the spread of germs, wash your hands frequently with warm soapy water (for at least 20 seconds), and do not share cups or food.
Water: Drink 8-12 cups of water every day. Water helps to cleanse the body and remove toxins, including germs. By keeping body systems, especially the respiratory system, well hydrated, you can enhance your virus-fighting potential.
After Symptoms Occur
"Feed a cold, starve a fever?" Many people say they can never remember whether to starve the cold or the fever. The answer: neither! The best advice is simply to listen to your appetite because being neither hungry nor stuffed will get rid of a cold, flu, or fever any faster. "Starving" an illness is particularly a bad idea. Intentionally restricting calories only makes it harder to recover from an illness.
Drink plenty of fluids: Drink significant amounts of water – at least 8-12 cups throughout the day. Additional water is needed not only to help fight infection, but also to combat dehydration brought on by fever. If you have flu-symptoms, vomiting and diarrhea also increase your need for water above the normal 8-cup requirement.
Vitamin C: Take 250 milligrams each day for 5-7 days. Although vitamin C will not prevent the cold, it may soften the blow, decrease symptoms (such as a runny nose and sore throat), and possibly shorten the duration of the cold by a day or so. Also drink plenty of vitamin-rich orange or grapefruit juice. These provide vitamin C as well as the fluids and calories your body needs.
Have some chicken soup! Researchers have studied the possible benefits chicken soup may have on colds and flu. While they’re not sure what the exact mechanism is, they believe that the benefit comes from something related to the smell or the taste of the soup. Eating chicken soup (or a soup that smells or tastes like chicken soup) may help increase the flow of mucus and clear nasal passages. It will not help cure or shorten your illness, but it may help relieve symptoms temporarily.
Garlic may help stimulate your immune system. Include one to three cloves of garlic each day in your diet by eating foods like: garlic bread, spaghetti sauce, lasagna, salad dressing with garlic, and by adding it to pasta salad, soups and stews. Do not use if you are on a blood thinning medication.
Echinacea: This herb is a natural immune enhancer. Use caution if you are allergic to ragweed and other pollens, have kidney problems or are pregnant or lactating. Take 500 milligrams (mg) in capsule form, 3 times a day on the first day symptoms occur. Then take 250 mg, 4 times a day for 10 days.
Pamper yourself: Get plenty of rest and relaxation.
Hopefully, by adhering to a healthy lifestyle, you can prevent an illness from occurring in the first place, or at least lessen the severity if one does arise.
Be sure to always talk with your health care provider before taking any herbal, vitamin, or mineral supplement.
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Just another good reason to drink your water... Flush that nasty flu right out of you..
And pay close attention to The Power of Produce paragraph.. you'll get a hint towards next weeks Bonus Challenge
The only problem with fruits and vegetables is that they crank my carb count up so high. I have no problem at all getting them in. But last night I had to keep tweaking my grape intake because of all the carbs.
I have also heard that you are supposed to drink 64 oz + 8 additional ounces for each 25 lbs you are overweight... which i guess for me would be about right according to that half rule... =)
OK I've had four bottles of 17 ounce water today.....of course I'm sick so I'm trying to flush it out of my system but not too bad for it only being 2 in the afternoon.
wow that really does sound like a whole like of H20. But hey thanks for that info I will try my best to get all my water in to earn that extra bonus point!
I usually drink 92 oz of water a day. Inspired by this weeks water challenge, I drank 120oz. of water today and I have to say I do not feel that hot at all . I may just as well stay in the bathroom and not bother to leave it EVER (or, at least, untill the end of the week)
