Water

The most delectable, thirst quenching, high demand drink on the market…or is it?  Over the past several weeks we have been discussing essential nutrients, and have covered carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.  The final nutrient on our list is none other than water.  Most people are not aware that water is a nutrient!  It has no calories, no fat, no protein, and no vitamins.  It maybe has a few minerals, but we’ve already covered that group, right?

So, Kwynn, why is it on the list of essential nutrients?  Is it really that big of a deal?

The answer is *drumroll please* Absolutely.  100%.  Without a Doubt.  YES!

Water is very important, and it does so much for our bodies.  A few organs would shut down without good old H₂O.

• Brain: Mild dehydration can lead to poor memory, poor concentration, and mood swings. Water has shown to reduce the onset of headaches and anxiety.
• Intestines: Water can reduce the risk of developing constipation.
• Kidneys: Water helps to prevent the formation of kidney stones and helps the kidneys do their job of flushing out the body. It helps to get rid of the toxins that naturally build up in our bodies.
• Weight: Drinking water is never a bad idea when trying to lose weight. It will decrease cravings and false feelings of hunger; keep you hydrated and energized during workouts; speed up your metabolism; and flush your body.
• Other: Water provides protection for your spinal cord and other sensitive areas like joints and tissues by keeping them nicely lubricated and cushioned.

Most of us have heard that drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is the recommendation.  The truth is that there is no evidence to support that theory.  There is no set recommendation for the amount of water that we need to drink daily.  Instead, we should try to drink half of our body weight in ounces.  For example, if you weigh 210 pounds, you should try to drink 105 ounces (210 ÷ 2) of water per day.

That’s almost a gallon a day!  Not many of us are anywhere close to where we should be, but that’s ok!  Changing your eating habits is a marathon, not a sprint.  Take it day by day and make small changes along the way.  We are not all starting from the same point. Some of us may need to lay off the pop/soda/soft drinks, juice, and other sugary beverages.  Some of us need to start drinking water and finding ways to enjoy the taste. Others may just need to start drinking an additional bottle each day.

Whatever your goal, an effective way to keep up with your water intake is to use an app on your phone, and this will help you to get a true measurement.  When increasing your water intake, there are a few things that you should consider:

1. Have access to a restroom! Remember, we are flushing out toxins.  Your body is going to be so happy that you are giving it what it needs.  As payment, it is going to work quickly to clean you out, so you will use the bathroom.  A lot.  Like a WHOLE lot!  On the upside, it will slow down with time, so hang in there!
2. You will lose “water weight.” The fluids that you are excreting have some weight, so expect to see those numbers on the scale drop.
3. If you cut back on the water and let those old habits creep back in, it will show on the scale. Your body will think that it is going to go back into dehydration mode and will start to retain fluids.

Do you need an accountability partner or help finding ways to increase your water intake?  Would you like to know how can you flavor your water while still having it count as water?  Leave a comment below or email me – this is too important a topic for you to not have what you need.  As always, I am here for you!