Drink your water!!!

I personally found that drinking enough water each day made the biggest difference in reaching my weight loss goals. Our whole lives people have been telling us to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but who takes that literally? Well I can tell you, now I do! Water helps with nearly every function of the body, but is essential to weight loss. The water helps your kidneys to function properly which leaves the liver free to metabolize fat. Water also helps to flush out fat cells your body burns. The more water you drink, the faster you lose weight! Also, drinking water prior to meals helps you feel full so you avoid over-eating. Dehydration also leads to a feeling of hunger which leads to snacking and maybe poor food choices.

Since water is so important to nearly all of your body processes, if you aren't drinking enough water daily your body will actually store what it needs. Once you make this lifestyle change and start providing your body with ample water each day your body will let go of this stored water. In the beginning, if you aren't used to drinking a lot of water this will cause you to have to "go" quite often which most will find inconvenient, but this only lasts for about 2 weeks. Once your body trusts you that this isn't just a fluke your bathroom schedule will go back to normal. This is what people mean when they say you lost "water weight." It actually is pounds of water leaving your body.

I personally drink a minimum of 64 oz of water every day, but try to get in closer to 96+ oz per day. I found this very difficult at first but after a few weeks I found that I was craving that amount of water and it just became habit. To help keep track of my water I use a liter bottle which I carry with me everywhere. It helps me keep track because I know if I drink two full bottles I reached my 64 oz minimum for the day. I would also recommend trying to finish your water consumption at least two hours before going to bed or you will be getting up in the middle of the night to go and no one wants that!

If you are concerned about whether or not you are drinking enough water, I use this formula:

Everyone needs a minimum of 64 oz so that is your base. Add another 8 oz each day that you exercise for 15 minutes or more. Add another 8 oz if it is really hot outside (whether you are being active or not). And, for bonus points, add another 8 oz for every 10 pounds you think you are overweight.

And as an added bonus, your hair and skin will look better too! So drink your water!!