Drink Fit

As you are aware there are two components to losing weight. One is to burn more energy by increasing your activity level. The other is to take in less energy (fewer calories). This is where drinking water comes in. Unlike other liquids water has no calories. Drinking too much of any liquid other than water may give you too many calories.

Studies have shown that as much as 20 percent of the population can achieve the weight loss they desire by drinking more water and less juice, fizzy drinks etc. However, most people still need to increase their activity level (go out and play) and eat healthier.

So the solution to losing at least a few extra pounds sounds easy. Start with two glasses of cold water first thing in the morning. That's before you drink coffee or eat your breakfast. The reason I say cold water is as some research show, when you drink cold water, your works harder to warm it up to suit your body. Which means it is working out in a way. That in it-self is a form of exercise. But drink it as cold as you are able to without forcing yourself too much.

It is very difficult for the body to differentiate hunger from thirst. If you don't drink enough water throughout the day, you may mistake thirst for hunger and eat more than you really need, which can also impair weight loss. So staying well hydrated is important, particularly if you are trying to lose weight. And don't forget to eat lots of water-based foods like soups, vegetables and low-fat dairy, which are equally important for weight loss, as they lower the calorie density of meals. That can help you reduce calories without reducing portions.

When you drink all the water you need, you will very quickly notice a decrease in your appetite, possibly even on the first day! If you're serious about becoming leaner and healthier, drinking water is an absolute must. If you're doing everything else right and still not seeing results, this might just be what's missing.

Water is also the best beauty treatment. You've heard this since high school, and it's true. Water will do wonders for your looks! It flushes out impurities in your skin, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion. It also makes your skin look younger. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated.

In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you're blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won't notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you'll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin.

So how much should you drink?

The minimum figures for the body's daily water loss are 500ml through urine and 700ml through breathing and sweating.

Doctors advise that to be on the safe side we should drink at least 1.2 litres of liquids (2.5 pints). So, remember, although water is essential, you don't need to become obsessed about drinking eight glasses a day!

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