Hydrate Yourself To a Better and Healthier You!

                                                           The Importance of Water

There are many reasons you should drink adequate amounts of water, especially when it comes to getting into shape and losing weight. Some of the reasons are as follows:

• The initial weight you lose is normally water weight and you need to drink the right amount of water in order to avoid dehydration.
• Dehydration slows down the fat burning process greatly.
• Toxins are created when you burn calories and the water you drink plays a very important role in flushing those toxins out.
• Dehydration reduces blood volume, reduced blood volume means reduced supply of oxygen to your muscles, and a reduced supply of oxygen to your muscles can make you feel tired.
• Do you hate that muscle and joint soreness you get after exercising? Well proper hydration can help to eliminate some soreness.
• Most healthy diets suggest a good amount of fiber to help your digestive system, however, if you aren't properly hydrated then it can cause constipation instead of eliminating it.
• If you drink water with your meals it can make you feel full sooner which can make you satisfied to eat less. However you should not use water alone because in order for our bodies to feel full we need calories and nutrients.

Now that you've heard all the benefits of water you're probably asking yourself how much water you should be drinking.  Well our bodies are pretty good at letting us know when we have too little, just enough, or too much water. 

If you have too little of water your urine will be a dark yellow, you will feel thirsty, and you will rarely go to the bathroom. There are many other symptoms of being dehydrated these are just a few to start you off with.

If you have the right amount of water your urine will be a very pale yellow, you won't feel as thirsty or dehydrated, and you will feel healthier and more active.

If you have too much water you will be running to the bathroom constantly, and sometimes feel nauseous. 

If you would like to know the exact amount of water you should be consuming based on weight, altitude, temperature, and other factors please visit this link.

http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

Also if you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables that contributes to your water intake as well!

Feel free to comment about what y'all think and remember to stay hydrated! :)

-Tawnya Cummings