Drink More Water

Water is an essential element for all known life forms. It's the stuff of life. Two thirds of our body weight constitutes of water. Without water our bodily functions shut down. While we can survive as long as a month without food, we can live only for 4 to 10 days without water. The problem with our body is that we need water, but we don't crave for it.

Here are a few benefits of drinking more water for motivation:

1. Curbs your hunger: water suppresses your appetite naturally
2. Metabolizes stored fat: your liver works more efficiently
3. Burn more calories
4. Improve skin & tone
5. Release toxins: water helps your body rid of waste
6. Prevent water retention: drinking more water prevents fluid retention & weight gain (paradox huh!)

So it seems that water is probably the single most important catalyst in losing weight & keeping it off. According to the US National Strength & Conditioning Association, appropriate water intake is 2.7 litres to 3.7 litres a day for women and men, respectively. That's a lot of water! Equivalent to 10-15 glasses a day!

How could we drink that much in a day? I have gathered a few useful tips to help me drink more water.

• drink 2 glasses of water immediately after waking up.
• drink 2 glasses at each meal, one before & one after. One glass before each snack so you don't eat as much.
• bring a 2-litre bottle of water to work & try to drink it all before you leave work. If you don't finish, drink it in traffic on the way home.
• carry a refillable bottle at all times and drink during downtime, while watching TV etc.
• after each trip to the restroom, drink a glass of water to replenish your system.
• when you have a junk-food craving, drink a glass of water immediately.

So how to drink water for weight loss?

1. Drink a glass of water before reaching for a snack.
2. Replace sugary drink with water.
3. Drink at least 15 glasses of water a day. Carry a water bottle at all times.
4. Drink a glass of water before & after each meal.
5. Hydrate before exercise & sip water during workout. Avoid extra calories in sports drink unless you are running a marathon!