Facts Concerning Water and Weight Loss

The first thing you should start doing on a regular basis when embarking on your weight loss journey is to start or increase your water intake. Most of us do not drink the amount we should on a daily basis. This lack of water intake can take a toll on our bodies. A lack of regular water intake can affect your skin, your kidneys and liver, your metabolism, and most of all your weight. By simply starting a water regimen or increasing the amount you drink now, you can have a positive overall effect on your body and kick start your weight loss.

Daily amount

The standard has always been to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day. This amount may be too little or too much depending on several factors - your weight, the climate you live in, how much alcohol you intake on a daily basis, and how much you exercise are just a few of these factors. About.com Nutrition has an excellent water calculator that takes into account all these factors plus a few more. An example after answering nine basic questions:

"A person weighing 170 pounds, exercises 0 minutes each day, not pregnant or breastfeeding, does not live at a high altitude or dry climate, drinks 0 alcoholic drink(s) on a daily basis, does not live in a climate where the weather is overly hot or cold, and does not have a fever or diarrhea should have: 85 ounces of water today, or 2.6 liters."

Affects of too little water

If you do not intake a good amount of water on a daily basis, you will be able to see the results in your skin. It will become saggy and dull causing you to look older. Low water amounts can take its toll on your liver and kidneys. Your liver plays a pivotal role when it comes to metabolism. The liver's main function is to metabolize fat. It also is design to pick up where the kidneys may start to slack. If your kidneys are water-deprived, the liver needs to take over their responsibilities and, in turn, decrease the overall effective metabolism process. When your metabolism slows down, you begin to store more fat. The result of more stored fat is an increase in weight. This is a vicious cycle that can be broken simply by ensuring you drink a good amount of water on a daily basis.

Kick start your weight loss

From the moment you begin to drink water or increase the amount you regularly drink, your body starts a flushing process. When you drink little to no water, your body puts itself into a storage mode. It stores what little water it can around your ankles, hips, thighs and belly. When you put more water in, your body recognizes it is getting a constant source and will release its stores. As odd as it sounds (especially when you first feel as though you are living most of your days in the bathroom), putting more water into your body will enable it to flush out more water. The result is a remarkably quick and easy way to kick start a weight loss plan. Slimmer ankles, hips, thighs and a flatter tummy are a sure-fire way to get anyone motivated to continue with a healthy weight loss plan.

Conclusion

Weight loss itself is never an easy process. It is hard to get motivated in the very beginning. The addition of a daily water intake amount is a terrific way to get going in the right direction and is a painless way to start dropping off pounds immediately. Do keep in mind that too much water can be a bad thing as well and never start a weight loss program without first consulting with your doctor. Once you have discussed a healthy plan for dieting and exercise, be sure to start off right with a nice, refreshing glass of water!