When it comes to losing body fat it is even more important than ever to consider your hydration. All functions within the body require the presence of water and for these functions to occur quickly and efficiently we need a well hydrated body. In short, being well hydrated helps boost our metabolic rate meaning we will burn energy faster - I have read that a well hydrated body burns 3% more calories than a dehydrated body- which makes sense when you think about it as once the body is dehydrated it will start to shut down!
Another thing to remember is that we get a lot of our fluids from food, especially fruit and vegetables, so if you are not eating a lot of fruit and vegetables you are even more likely to be dehydrated and more likely to eat more of the other foods(which are higher in calories) to fill up your fluid reserves.
And, when it comes to exercise, our muscles also hold a lot of water, so if you are dehydrated, your muscles are likely to be weeker - and what do we want to become?...Stronger!!!!
Bearing all of this in mind why would you not want to drink more water?
Health benefits of drinking water
- regulate appetite
- increase metabolism
- boost energy levels
- less water retention
- alleviate some headaches
- help reduce blood pressure
- help reduce high cholesterol
- ease joint pain
- decrease in risk of some cancers
- less chance developing kidney stones
- release toxic waste products
- improves skin
Sue x
FAT-SCRAP MARCH 2010 DAY FIFTEEN
5 comments:
Happy mothers day to you all!
What a beautiful day! I enjoyed tea in bed opening a card from my daughter which read Queen of Mummies! I felt so appreciated, along with spending the afternoon yesterday with my lovely friends and their family. People are so important to me and realising I am important to them. If I love and care for me, I am here longer and healthier to spend happy times.
After discussion with Sue yesterday, my target of change this week is to drink more water, so, thanks for extra info on the blog today Sue.
Mara- I am wondering where you are, as you are quiet and I am hoping you are ok after yesterday? I hope you keep motivated to change and I encourage you to take support from us.
Today I am I am treating myself to having my car valeted- oh how I hate cleaning cars! So whilst that is being done, an afternoon in my garden in the sun- lucky me. Pleasure whilst burning calories.
So excuse me whilst I go off to quaff another glass of H2o before I start!!!
Hoping all you ladies are either being treated or nurturing yourselves in a happy healthy feel good way today.
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/nutritionessentials/drinks/drinkingenough/
This is a link to the Food Standards Agency website about drinking water. They have recommed guideline of 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day.
Thank you so much Sue for reminding us all about drinking more water. In my job it's one of my mantras too but do I drink as much as I should myself...Noooo!! So Jayne, I am with you, and I'm going to make a big effort to keep more hydrated this week.
I too had a great mothers day, my children treated me to all sorts of things..homemade cards, breakfast in bed, new flowers to fill my hanging baskets - just lovely. Such a great day to remember how special others are to you and you to them.
Sadly my mum was very poorly with MS when I was a child and after a long drawn out battle with it I finally lost her to the disease 19 years ago. But I am so lucky that I can still remember some special times we shared together when I was small. Memories live on forever!
And whilst my mind is so focused on living a healthier life from now on I acknowledge something important to myself in memory of my mum....
Having Multiple Sclerosis, my mum did not have a choice about her fate. The illness was fierce when it took hold and she had no control over how it progressed. All she could do was keep adapting to each stage of deteriation.
In contrast, at this present time, I DO have control over my fate. I DO have choices. And I am choosing now to lead a healthy lifestyle so that I can be there for the people I love. Yes of course I don't know what fate has in store for me but right here, right now I DO have a choice and I am going to keep making these positive changes. I owe it to my children, I owe it to my mum and I owe it to me.
Food choices
breakfast muesli, yog, seeds, blackberries
dinner spaghetti bolognese made with pork mince, courgette and carrot, grated Parmesan, mixed salad
2 clementines, 2 dried apricots, 4 pecans
cup of cocoa made with half soya milk half water
8 glasses of water
exercise 70 min dog walk, 3 hrs gardening
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