Water you doing?

Water. 

We love to swim in it. 

We bathe in it daily. 

We wash our hands with it and use it in our food. 

And while drinking it is certainly something we do... we need to ask ourselves daily if we are really drinking enough of it?

Just this week I had a conversation with a friend about water and how hard it is to get in all the required ounces each day. It was during that discussion that I remembered (and it finally sunk into my brain) that drinking water is so much more than just something good to do while on program. It is actually a life altering habit of health that not only must we embrace to be successful on this weight-loss journey, but drinking enough water is a disciplined  habit that needs to stick with us forever if we never want to see the weight we lost return.  We need to commit to drinking enough water from today until our last day on earth... this would be an actual permanent lifestyle change.

Remember, TSFL is different than other programs because it is based upon looking at how the 15% of people that kept weight they had lost off for more than 5 years have been successful. At the top of their lists for life long success we find that one of the main daily healthy habits of those folks is that they drink at least 1/2 of their body weight in ounces of water a day. 

Making up to 60% of our weight, water is a vital component of our body. Since our bodies cannot store water (unlike fat), it is important that we replenish it often. By the time that we are thirsty, our bodies have been functioning without enough water for several hours. In fact, being thirsty is actually a warning sign of dehydration.

In Dr. A's Habits of Health, you will find more information regarding water and several FAQ's that can help you understand the importance of keeping up with your water intake on a daily basis. The following except from his book gives us a steak peak into why water is so important:

Finding that it was hard to get in all my 

water, I bought this 32oz bottle. It is so 

much easier to try to drink 3 of these big 

bottles rather han refilling a glass 8 

times throughout the day. 

"During Phase 1 of your weight-loss plan there are even more good reasons to make a conscious effort to drink your eight glasses a day. Here are a few:

* It's calorie free, but helps you feel full and satisfied. 

* It keeps you from overeating. Studies have shown that when we feel hungry, 30% of the time our bodies are actually signaling for water. 

* It facilitates the removal of toxins such as pesticides and preservatives from your cells. 

* It prevents dehydration as your body eliminates excess salt and water from a diet of too much processed food. 

* It minimizes or eliminates fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, and unclear thinking. 

*It speeds up metabolism. A recent study showed that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water increased metabolic rate by 30 % for 90 minutes. 

*It helps your liver convert fat to energy. 

* It compensates for the loss of glycogen as you lose weight. " 

(Dr. A's Habits of Health, pg. 114-115)

I know drinking water is not an easy part of this life change. But in time it will get better. My first week of Phase 1 I found myself getting up several times a night to relieve myself... but eventually that changed. I learned that often when I thought I was hungry, I was actually thirsty. And most surprisingly, I remember how there came a point where my body actually craved water over other beverages.

This weeks challenge is to drink up that water. 

Every. Single. Day. 

I promise you will feel better and that this habit will help you with your weight loss. And one of the best things about water is that it is practically free - so there's no need to worry about it breaking the budget. 

You can do it - I believe in you!!!!

**** Before you go... here's a great stupid human trick involving drinking water from the Ellen Show. Enjoy! Ellen: Water you doing?