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Nearly 75% of us live in a chronic state of
dehydration, never getting the amount of water that we need to
drink. Why is that so terrible? Well, for one thing, even mild
dehydration can slow our metabolism down by as much as 3%. For
someone who is on a mission to lose as much weight as possible, 3%
is significant.
It seems that nearly everyone knows that we
should drink 64 ounces of water per day, yet the average Americans
drinks only about 36 ounces per day. Where do you stand in your
water consumption? If you are newly post op then realistically,
you will not be able to consume 64 ounces. Your pouch is swollen
and does not have the capacity to hold enough at one time so that
you can consume 64 ounces in a day. But 64 ounces per day is what
you should strive for by constantly sipping throughout the day.
But let’s admit it; most of also have a
negative view of water. Water is what makes us feel bloated every
month and when we add a few pounds, we associate it with water
“weight.” Any association with increased weight is enough to send
us screaming and running, waving our hands above our heads. Well
almost!
Yet water has so many benefits.
Are you tired during the day? Drink some
water. Dehydration is the #1 trigger of fatigue.
Does your skin feel itchy? Drink some water.
Itchy skin is a symptom of dehydration.
If you feel thirsty, you are already
dehydrated. Thirst lags far behind the body’s need for water.
Feeling hungry? Drink some water. Almost 40%
of us can’t tell the difference between thirst and hunger because
our thirst mechanism is so weak.
Do you have joint pain? Drinking 8 to 10
glasses of water could significantly ease back and joint pain in
80% of sufferers.
Concerned about cancer? Drinking 5 glasses
of water every day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%,
decreases the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and reduces the risk
of breast cancer by 79%. That’s impressive!
Most important of all, at least for us, is
the fact that our internal organs function at their peak when they
are hydrated. One of their functions is to burn fat. Lacking
proper water, you won’t burn as much stored fat as you do when
dehydrated. So if you want to become a “fat burning machine,”
drink water!
And remember; don’t count beverages with
alcohol or with caffeine such as coffee, tea and soda toward your
water consumption. The caffeine and alcohol will actually deplete
your body of fluid. They act as a diuretic. You need to make up
for this consumption by drinking a glass of water for each glass
of caffeine or alcohol that you consume. At that rate, you won’t
have time to eat. Maybe that’s the whole point!
In the next issue I will cover types of
bottled water and if we are getting scammed. I will also have a
fun exercise that your support group can try. |
