Guest guest Posted October 14, 2002 Report Share Posted October 14, 2002 A component of every cell, water makes up 55 to 60 percent of our total body weight. We can survive three months without food but only a few days without water, which carries nutrients from the digestive system to all cells in the body, as well as cellular waste products to the kidneys so that they can be excreted in urine. Water serves as the solution in which all other nutrients are dissolved and as a " shock absorber " inside the eyes and spinal cord. It lubricates and cushions around joints and, through perspiration, regulates our body's heat. When we stay properly hydrated, we have more energy, an improved sense of well-being, greater stamina and endurance during physical activity and better digestion and elimination (one of the most common causes of constipation is dehydration). Good hydration also tends to reduce overeating, since people often grab something to eat when they actually need something to drink. On the other hand, when the body doesn't get enough water, dehydration occurs. Symptoms of dehydration can be reasonably benign, such as dry, itchy skin and fatigue. Or they can be far more serious, ranging from poor concentration and headaches to blurred vision and lack of neuromuscular control. In the long term, chronic underhydration can lead to severe problems that affect blood pressure, circulation, digestion and kidney function. Now, while it's true that most fluids contribute to your overall fluid intake, water is far and away the optimum source. Soft drinks and lemonade, for example, have other stuff in them, such as sugar, that you probably want to avoid in high quantities. Meanwhile, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can actually interfere with hydration or even cause dehydration, because of their diuretic properties; they cause the body to lose water through increased urination. Interestingly, having to urinate more frequently is one of the excuses I most often hear from people about why they don't drink more water -- yet some of these people are moderate to heavy coffee drinkers. Another common excuse for not drinking more liquid is " I'm not thirsty. " But thirst is not an adequate measure of how much water the body needs. Those who sweat heavily will dehydrate faster than their body's thirst reflex can signal the need for more liquid. This applies especially to children and the elderly. Staying hydrated when you're physically active is especially important. To give you an idea why, weigh yourself before you start exercising. Then, after you finish, weigh yourself again. Every pound lost during your workout represents 16 fluid ounces. It's easy to lose one to three pounds of water weight -- or more -- every time you exercise. That day I watched Steve's spinning class, I could have wrung a full cup of liquid from his shirt, which looked as if he'd worn it in the shower. Sweating so, it was obvious that he (and his spinning partners) needed rehydration. But someone who swims for exercise and isn't aware of perspiring also has to stay hydrated, as does the softball player, and cyclist, and jogger -- even if their shirt is bone dry. Remember that fresh air and breezes can quickly evaporate body moisture and mislead you into believing that you're not losing liquid. So, in addition to keeping a bottle of water on your desk when you work or next to youin the car, drink several 12-ounce glasses of water a day: for example, as soon as you wake up; before, during, and after working out; whenever you are feeling low on energy; if something hurts (like a headache); before dinner; and before bed. If you get tired of the taste of water, flavor it with a little fruit juice or make some herbal tea, either hot or chilled. Adapted from an article at iVillage.com > Hello everyone. > > OK, I have heard about drinking the 8 glasses of water a day. Is > this what most people are drinking, and can you ever substitute other > liquids, such as Crystal Lite, ice tea or other low cal drinks for > water? > > Still do not know all about this water thing. Any input would be so > greatly appreciated. > > All I do know is you should drink plenty of water because it helps > flush your system out. Any other things to know about it? > > Thanks, > > Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2002 Report Share Posted October 14, 2002 Dear Dianne, I use a straw ,add lemon slices haveit plain have it full of ice... keep it near me to keep me drinking !! Dawn Water Hello everyone. OK, I have heard about drinking the 8 glasses of water a day. Is this what most people are drinking, and can you ever substitute other liquids, such as Crystal Lite, ice tea or other low cal drinks for water? Still do not know all about this water thing. Any input would be so greatly appreciated. All I do know is you should drink plenty of water because it helps flush your system out. Any other things to know about it? Thanks, Dianne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2002 Report Share Posted October 14, 2002 our bodies need water to purify and to flush out....tea and diet drinks arnt the same as water becouse caffiene is no good for us ...the only thing i can think of is the flavored waters out there, I mean no sugar ones no caffien ect......you need at least 8 glasses a day and I would think dep on your size maybe more or less stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2002 Report Share Posted October 14, 2002 --- Subject: Water We all know that water is important but I've never seen it written down like this before. Water 1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half world population) 2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. 3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%. 4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a U-Washington study. 5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. 6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. 7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. 8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%,plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2002 Report Share Posted October 14, 2002 Oh Dawn, Now that sounds like a nice idea. Spiffing up your water with ice and lemon. hummm... Thanks for the idea. Sounds refreshing also. Dianne > Dear Dianne, I use a straw ,add lemon slices haveit plain have it full of ice... keep it near me to keep me drinking !! Dawn > Water > > > Hello everyone. > > OK, I have heard about drinking the 8 glasses of water a day. Is > this what most people are drinking, and can you ever substitute other > liquids, such as Crystal Lite, ice tea or other low cal drinks for > water? > > Still do not know all about this water thing. Any input would be so > greatly appreciated. > > All I do know is you should drink plenty of water because it helps > flush your system out. Any other things to know about it? > > Thanks, > > Dianne > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2002 Report Share Posted October 15, 2002 Does Christel light have caffine??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2002 Report Share Posted October 15, 2002 I just read the can of one I have in my home and it says no caffeine/low sodium. Dianne -- In weightlossbuddies2@y..., rickie277@a... wrote: > Does Christel light have caffine??? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2002 Report Share Posted October 15, 2002 I just read the can of one I have in my home and it says no caffeine/low sodium. Dianne -- In weightlossbuddies2@y..., rickie277@a... wrote: > Does Christel light have caffine??? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2003 Report Share Posted February 17, 2003 Diane Thank you so much for the info on the benefits of water - it was great. Well I'd better start by having a few glasses asap! : ) Donna 209/203/147 _________________________________________________________________ MSN Messenger - fast, easy and FREE! http://messenger.msn.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2003 Report Share Posted February 17, 2003 If I may add something.. I weighed myself on Friday morning.. 232.. ok.. I weighed myself this morning.. 240! YES.. I gained 8 pounds over the weekend due to not drinking ANY water whatsoever.. I'm living proof that water helps you lose weight. So now I will make it my life's goal to keep drinking water SEVEN days a week and not just the 5 during the week at work! What an eye-opener! ~ O~ 272/232/172 On WW since 01/08/02 Water > >>>What did I learn? Water is essential. > > I'm sorry if this question has been answered previously. How does water help > us to lose weight?? > > Thanks, > > Donna > 209/203/147 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2003 Report Share Posted February 17, 2003 In a message dated 2/17/2003 11:35:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, bluzgrrl@... writes: > If I may add something.. I weighed myself on Friday morning.. 232.. ok.. I > weighed myself this morning.. 240! YES.. I gained 8 pounds over the > weekend > due to not drinking ANY water whatsoever.. I'm living proof that water > helps > you lose weight. So now I will make it my life's goal to keep drinking > water SEVEN days a week and not just the 5 during the week at work! What > an > eye-opener! The weirdest thing to me is that when you aren't drinking, your body *retains* fluid. Is that crazy? You'd think that less fluid would mean... less fluid <g>, but the human body has more survival instinct than that. When resources are scarce, conservation is the key - and as much as the body needs water, it's conservation is really high-gear! Good news - it'll flush out in a day or two once you start drinking -Crys- (Lifetimer since August 1995) 178.6 / 139.4 / 140.0 / 125.0 (-39.2) Starting Wt/Current Wt/WW Goal/Personal Goal Please say a prayer for Margie and Lura in their weight loss. Thank you! I'm not crazy; I'm just a little unwell. I know, right now you can't tell. But stay a while and maybe then you'll see a different side of me. I'm not crazy; I'm just a little impaired. I know, right now you don't care. But in a while you're gonna think of me, and how I used to be. Matchbox 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2003 Report Share Posted February 20, 2003 Beth Thank you for the articles. I shall be drinking more water from now on! Donna : ) 209/201.5/147 (Who lost another 1.5lb in this week's weigh-in! - hoorah!) http://www.freeweightloss.com/article9.html http://www.inch-aweigh.com/water.html http://www.idahoathleticclub.com/fitnessfacts.asp _________________________________________________________________ Worried what your kids see online? Protect them better with MSN 8 http://join.msn.com/?page=features/parental & pgmarket=en-gb & XAPID=186 & DI=1059 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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