9 Reason to Drink your Water
I’m pretty sure there’s a water post somewhere here on this but it is SO worth repeating! So many times I hear people are only drinking a glass of water a day, or worse yet, nothing! Oh my word! If this is you, you are walking around chronically dehydrated! If you don’t think that’s a big deal let me break it down for you! Below are 9 reasons why you should up your water intake. And by up I mean ATLEAST half your body weight in ounces. And no your coffee doesn’t count! More if you are sweating, i.e, summer, hard workouts etc. If you think this sounds like a lot and are starting from zero, then work your way up to that. Warning: You will be peeing a lot. This is NORMAL and a good thing! All of that water you’ve been retaining?? You’re flushing it down the toilet! Don’t you feel less puffy already??
Here are 9 powerful reasons to drink water!!
Weight Loss! They had me at weight loss!! Water replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that doesnât have any calories. Itâs also a great appetite suppressant, and often when we think weâre hungry, weâre actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no calories, no carbs, no sugar. And if you are dehydrated your body will actually retain water! Ouch! Drink atleast half your weight in ounces to help your weight-loss regimen.
Heart health! Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.
Energy! So many of us suffer from lack of energy. We often blame our Fibro but this may only be part of the issue. You could be dehydrated and being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired â even mild dehydration of as little as 1 or 2 percent of your body weight. If youâre thirsty, youâre already dehydrated â and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.
Relief from Headaches! Do you suffer from daily headaches or migraines? Another symptom of dehydration is headaches. In fact, often when we have headaches itâs simply a matter of not drinking enough water. There are lots of other causes of headaches of course, but dehydration is a common one.
Healthy skin! Drinking water can clear up your skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It wonât happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin. Who doesn’t want that healthy glow??
Digestive problems! Fibro peeps typically have enough digestive issues. Drinking more water can help! Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Often water can help cure stomach acid problems, and water along with fiber can cure constipation (often a result of dehydration). There’s nothing worse than not being able to poop!!!
Cleansing! Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If you aren’t drinking enough you are holding onto that stuff! Ick! And if you didn’t know, the Fibro person absorbs more toxins than the average bear and has a harder time getting rid of them so drink up!!!
Cancer risk! Related to the digestive system item above, drinking a healthy amount of water has also been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%. Drinking lots of water can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer. Wow!
Better Exercise! Being dehydrated can severely hamper your athletic activities, slowing you down and making it harder to put the most into your workout. Exercise requires additional water, so be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise and if you’re sweating a lot up your daily intake.
Here are a few tips to remember to drink your water!
Form a routine. If you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated. A glass when you get up, before you go to bed, before lunch etc.
Carry a bottle. I always have my water bottle with me.
Set phone reminders so you don’t forget.
Substitute water for something you’re already drinking.
Track it in a log along with how you’re feeling. Once you realize you feel better not dehydrated you’ll be more apt to keep at it.
I hope this helps you to see just how important drinking your water is! Often we underestimate the small, seemingly insignificant things we can do to help us feel better. These things, added up over time, can go a long way to helping you feel so much better!
Peace & Love,
Heather
