Wellness flows: Losing weight, adding water

At the start of new exercise or diet routines, the standard suggestion advocates drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. How much water you actually need depends on your weight, level of activity, the temperature and humidity of your environment, and your nutritional intake. Diet makes a difference because if you eat plenty of water-dense foods like fruits and vegetables your need to drink water will be diminished.

The health site Calories Per Hour offers some specific advantages to getting adequate water intake while trying to lose weight:

• Initial weight loss is largely due to loss of water, and you need to drink an adequate amount of water in order to avoid dehydration.
  The process of burning calories requires an adequate supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process.
• Burning calories creates toxins (think of the exhaust coming out of your car), and water plays a vital role in flushing them out of your body.
• Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume; a reduction in blood volume causes a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles; and a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles can make you feel tired.

For more on hydration and weight loss and for the full list of advantages, read “Why Drinking Water is Important for Weight Loss” at www.caloriesperhour.com.