Tips For Tuesday - Water Water Water

I wanted to share with you everything I've learned about the benefits of water (through getting fit and losing weight and my cosmetology school) and also a few effects of being dehydrated to really express the importance of water consumption.

There is nothing your body needs more, except oxygen, then water!

And the sad thing is... over 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated! 

Did you read that?

Let me repeat it...

CHRONICALLY DEHYDRATED!

That's pretty severe.

Even MILD dehydration will slow metabolism as much as 3 percent!

Lack of water is the principal cause of daytime fatigue, draining your energy and making you tired.

Even only a 2-percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and may cause difficulty focusing on a computer screen or printed page.

Symptoms of Dehydration are...

• Dark Urine - Dark Yellow or Orange in Color: Urine is generally pale yellow to clear when you are drinking enough water and shouldn't stink.
• Dry Skin: Skin is the largest organ we have and it NEEDS water. During summer time most people blame the heat for their dry skin, but if you're drinking enough you shouldn't need to use lotion all the time. Unless you're doing dishes ALL THE TIME. 
• Thirst: I know that sounds weird, but if you are thirsty then you are already dehydrated. Drink BEFORE you get thirsty!
• Hunger: Between meals, many people mistake hunger with dehydration! Therefore; they eat more, which will make you gain weight if you aren't making smart choices. Next time you feel hungry drink a glass of water and wait to see if your still hungry. Drinking a glass before dinner time will also help to make sure you don't overeat.
• Fatigue: I have already mentioned this, but dehydration is the main cause of tiredness. Water is the source of energy and gives you a boost! So drink up!!!

Once you are already dehydrated there are harmful effects... some of which are...

• Tiredness
• Migraines
• Constipation
• Muscle Cramps
• Irregular or High blood pressure
• Kidney Problems
• Dry Skin
• 20% Dehydrated = Risk of death!!!

Alright, alright, alright! ENOUGH with the dooms day of dehydration! 

NOW! Let me tell you about ALL the benefits!

Both body and skin rely heavily on water to function properly! Water sustains the health and life of cells!

Which helps with the condition of your skin! Who doesn't want better looking skin? It helps keep the skin healthy, vital, and attractive. It even replenishes the skin tissue, moisturizes your skin and helps with its elasticity! Elasticity is what keeps your skin nice and tight, which will help with the saggy skin from being pregnant or having excess weight. It will pull that skin back together! :D

Water also helps with...

• Elimination Toxins and Waste - Which will help keep you healthy and regular.
• Regulates the body's temperature
• Aids in proper digestion - which will ultimately help with weight loss.
• Stops hunger pangs
• Carries nutrients to your cells
• Provides a moist environment for ear, nose, and throat tissues.
• Natural remedy for headaches
• Lose Weight
• Better Productivity at Work
• Better Exercise
• Sleep promoting benefits
• Helps in Digestion and Constipation
• Less Cramps and Sprains
• Less likely to get sick and feel healthy
• Relieves Fatigue
• REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER!!!
• Helps with back aches - learned this the hard way, your kidneys start hurting.
• Puts you in a good mood

Since this blog is mainly on being healthy and losing weight I figured this post would be a great one to have and the benefits of being healthy and losing weight from proper water consumption are amazing!

So, how much water should you drink?

That saying; "drink eight (8-ounce) glasses of water a day" should be reformed as: "Drink AT LEAST eight (8-ounce) glasses of fluid a day."

Your water intake depends on a lot of different things; your weight, your health, your activity level, and the area you live in.

An easy formula is to take your body weight and divide it by 16. So, if you take a 160lb. person, they are supposed to drink 10 eight ounce glasses(which isn't that much, 8 ounces is one cup). 

You need to add at least one more glass per hour of exercise. If you lose weight during your workouts, which most people do, then you need to drink between 16-24 ounces of water per pound lost to replenish the liquids you lost. 

This chart is awesome!

Drink Water	How Much?	When?
Before Exercise	8-16 oz	At least 15 minutes before workout
During Exercise	4-8 oz	Every 15-20 minutes
After Exercise	16-24 oz per pound* lost	As soon as possible

With hot or humid (or both) climates you will need more water also. Heated indoor air (like during the winter time) can make you loose moisture and fluids as well. For those who live in higher altitudes (like me), may trigger increased urination and more rapid breathing, which uses up more of your fluid reserves. 

If your sick, have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, your body loses additional fluids. In those cases you should also drink more water. Water will also help heal you and make you get well faster. However, if you have doctors orders to limit your fluid intake, please do so! Neither Spunky nor I are doctors! We are just regular people giving advise on what we have learned.

With all of these AMAZING benefits, who wouldn't want to drink the right amount of water!?

Pass the Water PLEASE!