So boring. But so, so necessary. And I’m here to tell you – you probably need to drink more water.
I don’t really need to sit and talk about how essential water is – we all know you literally die if you do not consume any water.
But most people are walking around mildly dehydrated at all times. Seriously – it’s estimated that about 75% of people are living in a chronic state of dehydration and most people have no idea.
Now – the lack of thirst? That’s your body adjusting to dehydration and adapting to it. Aka BAD NEWS.
Many clients tell me they think water tastes boring, or they just don’t feel thirsty. I understand it’s “boring” but come on – there are great ways to spice it up!!!
HOW TO SPRUCE UP YOUR HYDRATION
FRESH FRUIT AND VEGGIES! Favorites to add to my water are lemon and grapefruit. Cucumber and mint also does the trick
COCONUT WATER. The best brand has to be Harmless Harvest
TEA! Green tea, dandelion, peppermint, ginger & turmeric. All amazing hot or iced!
So, first thing’s first, HOW MUCH water should you be drinking? Throw out the 8 cups/day rule (as if a 100 lb girl should drink the same as a 250 lb man….).
Take your weight in lbs, divide it by 2, and that’s the number of ounces you should roughly be drinking each day.
So – 120 lbs female. 120 / 2 = 60 oz water per day.
In a super humid environment? Working out? Job makes you run around all day? ADD ANOTHER CUP.
More is always better here my friends.
Now – if I haven’t convinced you yet – keep reading for legit reasons you should be chugging your H2O.
THE BIG TAKEAWAY
(LET’S JUST START WITH IT).
Being even SLIGHTLY dehydrated can affect your energy levels significantly AND decrease your metabolism.
INCREASE YOUR METABOLISM.
Being fully hydrated can increase your metabolism by 30% This is no joke. This means you can burn more fat by sitting on your ass watching Netflix. (NO BRAINER)
WATER CURBS YOUR APPETITE.
Ok, this sounds very 'diety', but what I really mean here is that we often mistake thirst FOR hunger (dehydration can cause hunger). Your body actually can’t tell the difference between hunger and thirst! So, if you’re hungry outside of meal times, chug a water and see what happens.
WATER MAKES YOUR SKIN GLOW.
Water does WONDERS on your skin. You literally detox shit through your skin, so without enough water, waste will build up in your skin and cause breakouts and dull, parched skin. Water also aids in collagen production – and you know I love collagen.
WATER MAKES YOU POOP.
Wow – how I love regular pooping. It’s a sign of good digestion and gut health. Water flushes out toxins in your body – when you don’t drink enough water, you get toxic build-up. One way this really manifests itself is through poor digestion (aka constipation).
DEHYDRATION RAISES STRESS HORMONES.
Even being dehydrated 1-2% can raise your stress hormone, cortisol, which is famous for adding belly fat and breaking down muscle (amazing I know).
INCREASE YOUR ENERGY!
This is the best one – your body is made up of mostly water, so when you don’t have enough of it, your blood volume drops and your heart is unable to efficiently carry nutrients and oxygen to your tissues. Then you’re hit with brain fog and fatigue. This is also the cause of dehydration-induced
headaches! Enough water = mental clarity and energy.
WATER REDUCES BLOATING.
When you’re dehydrated, your body holds onto as much H2O as possible in an attempt to keep in equilibrium. When you have enough, you don’t hold onto it! PLUS, being hydrated combats constipation…another contributor to bloating.
If my word isn’t enough, I hope that does the trick. Water is a huge piece of the wellness puzzle.
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