Water

If you don't take in an adequate amount of water, you will likely find it impossible to achieve control over your weight! What this means is 10-12 eight ounce glasses of WATER per day, plus eight more ounces for every 25 pounds you are overweight. This is the basic requirement for healthy living. Unfortunately, not many people drink as much water as they need. Many problems of weight control can be cured by increasing your water intake. Constipation, nausea, and headaches can all be helped with this, the greatest nutritional supplement in the world. WATER!

Restricting your water can promote fat deposits. Your body uses water as the major component of blood to transport nutrients and wastes. A lack of water in the system can cause fats and other toxins, that are normally disposed of, to remain in your body - including that dimpled fat commonly referred to as cellulite.

The good news is that it is easy to solve this problem. An 8 oz. glass of water isn't very large. Keep it on your desk and keep refilling it. Don't go by the water cooler without taking a sip, thirsty or not. Keep a glass on your night stand and drink when you first get up. Sixteen ounces upon rising will prepare your body for the day.

Dieters and non-dieters alike must establish a "fluid balance" where water going into the body approximately equals the amount being excreted. When you reach this balance point, you will see what an incredible difference water can make in your weight control program. Pounds and inches begin to disappear.

Trying to solve the problem of fluid retention by drinking less water only aggravates matters, because it (retention) occurs even when you drink no water. If you don't drink more water after salty food, your body pulls water from your intestines and bowel to dilute the extra sodium. If you drink more water, you force stored water out of your body through the kidneys.

I suggest you give water a chance. Only with an adequate supply of clean, fresh, life-giving water, can your body's systems function in a way that keeps you healthy.

If you are unaccustomed to drinking water, start with 4-8oz. glasses the first day and build up an ounce a day until you have reached at least 12-8 oz. glasses a day. I leave a large pitcher of filtered water on the counter (keep in the frig if you like it cold) and drink a little all day until it is empty.

Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body:

2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs

1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion

1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure

1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack. Water at bed time will also help prevent night time leg cramps. Your leg muscles are seeking hydration when they cramp and wake you up with a Charlie Horse.

If you are drinking enough water to be healthy, you won't be craving those unhealthy drinks as much. Another plus!