Weight Loss with More Water

Did you know that you retain less water if you drink more of it? Crazy right? Who would think you could have significant weight loss just by drinking more water? Very few people realize this seeming contradiction. Water is the body’s lubrication and disposal system. It carries nutrients and other substances to cells, waste from the cells, lubricates joint surfaces as well as other organs, and keeps the respiratory tract properly moisturized. It also keeps the digestive system working properly. Without enough water your body gets sticky inside. All the waste builds up, and you keep toxins in that you should be in a hurry to get rid of. Your body also tries to prevent more loss, thus the retention of water, working against any attempt at weight loss.

Get Your Weight Loss Motor Running

Just imagine an engine without oil, or with just a little. All those surfaces in close contact, with very little or no barrier to friction and almost no moisture to keep seals from drying out and cracking. When the intake of water is low, the body has an emergency response to maintain levels to keep functioning. That is when it retains the water that is left and keeps more of the little bit you consume on hand, thinking there will be too little coming in the future to let any more go. So much for expecting weight loss when your body is hanging on to water!

It all begins because of a hormone your body secretes if too little water is being consumed. The hormone is aldosterone, and it is even more accentuated if there is too little protein is in the diet, which often happens when people go on the latest fad diets, thinking they are doing themselves good. It is also worse for women just prior to menstruation due to hormone imbalance.

Also, fad diets should be called “fat” diets, because they do not create proper body composition and actually can make a person “overfat” even if they are not overweight. This means that the proportion of fat is actually a higher percentage of the total weight than is normal, because the diet concentrated on weight loss and not health improvement. Water retention is just another example.

You Are What You Drink

Since 70% of your body is water, keeping that level up, and sufficient to flush your system completely, takes a good amount. Maybe more than you are used to. Drinking more reduces the production of the hormone aldosterone, and thus the bloating, as well as the weight accompanying it is reduced. Your body expels the proper amounts of water and sodium, and everything can go on as normal. And not only does it result in weight loss of water, but your body is in a better position to get rid of other waste, that collects in under-hydrated cells and tissues.

How to Increase Water Intake

Now the standard recommendation from many doctors for proper water intake has been about 1/2 your body weight in ounces. So if you are 160lbs then that means about 80 ounces of water a day, barring excessive heat, exercise, or other factors that would increase that amount. Just a regular day, no particular special circumstances. Now you don’t have to go out and gulp down a gallon of water after reading this. As with all things there is a need for reasonableness. start with a couple glasses a day, then add one, then another. You should reach a sort of “threshold” where retention is noticeably reduced, you lose a few pounds , and you begin to have a regular thirst.

Note the Change, then Note The Change

Once you begin this process you could write notes or add reminders to your smartphone or schedule as to when you should have water and how much. You might even get a measured container with the amount you need for the day, and keep track of your consumption so you drink it all each day. After a while it will be natural, and you will not need to force yourself anymore, it will just feel right. You might even add some natural flavor like an orange or lemon slice, to spice it up a bit. You will notice the changes in how you feel and your lack of retention of water.

Water You Waiting For?

Ok, I couldn’t resist! Bad pun, but for a good reason, water is “clearly” one of the best tools for a healthy diet, and for good system functionality.* Use it generously, and start now. After all it is also the most plentiful liquid on earth, so it should not be hard to find.

James Marfleet, CNC, LE

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.