Is Dehydration Slowing You Down?

I have a friend who doesn't drink water - ever. She drinks 4 or 5 cans of diet soda each day, and complains that she can never lose weight. It seems like a no-brainer, but it's surprising how many dieters think diet soda will help them reach their weight loss goals. The irony is, diet soft drinks can actually thwart weight loss efforts, since they overload the body with sugar and chemicals that are counterproductive to reaching a healthy weight.

Let's face it, soda is junk food. It doesn't matter if it's the sugar laden or the sugar-free variety, you will never see a fit person consume soda mindlessly throughout the day - it has no nutritional value, and it is extremely dehydrating. If you find yourself relying on sodas or punch to quench your thirst regularly, do your body a big favor and replace your thirst cravings with something that the body needs to survive and function properly: good old H20.

The human body cannot survive without water. Humans can stay relatively hydrated from the water that is present in milk, juices, and a variety of water bearing foods, but for the body to run efficiently and to achieve longevity, it is essential to consume an adequate amount of "uncontaminated" fluids. You wouldn't think of cutting back on the amount of clean air you breathe, would you? So why would you want to deprive your body of a the natural substance that it desperately needs to survive?

This isn't to say you should go overboard and drink until you're waterlogged (this can actually be dangerous to your health), but if you can drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water each day (that's only 6-8 cups), your complexion will become clearer, you'll have more energy, and you will lose excess weight.

Think water is too boring? Try creating a mixture of 2/3 water, and 1/3 pure orange juice. You'll quench your thirst without adding extra calories, while adding some vital nutrients that support organ function.

If you desperately need caffeine to get through the day, alternate your water intake with coffee or tea. Even with a little sugar added, coffee and tea are much healthier than sugar and chemical laden sodas. Coffee and tea contain healthy antioxidants, and both drinks aid in the digestive process. Just be sure to steer clear of unnatural "decaf" varieties, as decaf beverages contain unwanted chemicals that overload the liver and contribute to a variety of health issues. Naturally caffeine free teas, however, do not contain chemicals and are a perfect substitute for their caffeinated counterparts.

With a little creativity, altering your drinking habits will have you on the road to better health, and those unwanted extra pounds will disappear in no time!