Hydration Station
Water- are you getting enough? Do you know how much enough is? Probably one of the most underrated nutrients on this planet, the body can survive for weeks without food but only days without water. But just how vital a role does this play on your health and weight loss? The results are in, and the information might shock you.
Common knowledge is that our bodies are made up of 70% water. It is essential for kidney and other body functions. It helps lubricates joints and significantly affects our energy levels and brain function. Feeling that afternoon fog set in? Try a trip to the water cooler. Water can dramatically improve our mood and concentration. Research has also shown that headaches are most commonly linked to dehydration. So, before you grab those extra strength Tylenol and think about going home sick from work, try an extra large glass of water and wait fifteen minutes.
The benefits of water go further than just our number one source of hydration though. Did you know water also delivers oxygen throughout your body? Also, it keeps the skin youthful for longer, aids with digestion, and maintains your blood pressure which is especially important as the body begins to age and becomes predisposed to certain health conditions.
Did you go out and enjoy a few too many alcoholic beverages last night? Guess what, drinking water before bed could have helped you with that hangover! Why is it that 10 small glasses of water per day seems impossible but 10 small glasses of wine is a treat? We must change the way we think. Your body is a well-oiled machine that must be fueled accordingly.
Let’s talk about water from a weight loss point of view. Most people don’t realize what a vital role water plays. Drinking plenty of water can help you lose weight because it increases satiety. Try drinking a large glass of water before every meal. Some studies have suggested that increasing water intake promotes weight loss by slightly increasing metabolism. From a personal standpoint, I decided to cut out all sugary drinks and limit myself to one coffee in the morning in favour of water. Most people don’t realize how many calories they’re consuming in sugary drinks alone! A double-double coffee has approximately 300 calories in it. If you drink 3 to 4 coffees a day, you’ve consumed almost your daily intake of calories on coffee alone. Not to mention the effect that’s having on your nervous system. Imagine how much further ahead you would be by making this small lifestyle change alone.
Water plays an important role in your workouts as well. Water works hard to regulate your body temperature while you’re putting in the reps. Water is stored in the middle layers of your skin. This water comes to the surface as sweat when the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body. In sports, some scientists have suggested that when there is too little water in the body, heat storage increases, making it more difficult to tolerate heat strain.
Finding it difficult to get those 10 glasses in a day? Here are 19 water-rich foods to try adding to your diet!
Watermelon
Strawberries
Plain Yogurt
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Coconut Water
Cantaloupe
Bell Peppers
Cottage Cheese
Peaches
Skim Milk
Grape Fruit
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Cauliflower
Oranges
