Reform your Water Ways

So, what have I learned in my brief study about drinking water?

Well, first off I am reminded that I don't drink enough water. Drinking water in and of itself isn't going to make you lose weight, but it is crucial to drink water in addition to watching your diet and exersizing. Burning fat releases waste products, and your body needs to have enough water to flush these elements from your body. Also, the liver requires water in order to process fat. So if you are dehydrated, then you will not burn as much fat. Additionally, as you exersize, your muscles lose glycogen (i.e. stored energy), and in order to refuel your muscle, the energy (glucose) must be bound to water.

Secondly, I also realized that I probably need more water than I think. You don't just base your body's need for water on your height. It is also based on weight and level of excersize.

Here is a helpful chart I found:

Method 1
Aim for 2 or 3 clear urinations throughout the day. This may sound too explicit, but for a normal healthy adult it is a good benchmark.

Method 2
Take your body weight in pounds, divide by two. This gives you a rough estimate in ounces of how much to drink. If you weigh 140 pounds you can aim for 70 ounces (or 8.75 glasses) per day.

Any exercise will require additional water intake.

Thirdly, I realized that I should be more consistent about how I consume water. Typically, I gulp down a couple of glasses right before I climb into bed. It is better to drink water slowly throughout the day, as otherwise most of it will just pass right through my body.