Water, Weight Loss, and More...!

1.5-Liter Therapy: An Ultimatum for Me to Shed off Extra Weight

I always advised my friends who are trying to lose weight to try water therapy. Their usual answer is, “I’ll try”. But most of them never actually did! Instead, they insist on doing their own regimen of skipping meals – to the point of starving!

Perhaps, they did not get the point.

Nevertheless, I will continue to stick onto the belief that water therapy really helps lose weight because I experienced it myself.

Actually, it was my eldest sister who “forced” me into doing water therapy in 2007 when she saw I was becoming bigger sideways. I say “forced” because she delivered the message in a command tone, an ultimatum that if I did not, I would become as big as my other sister. So, I started the regimen the following morning after she “commanded” me to do it. She made me drink a glass or two at a time until I consumed a total of 1.5 liters of water (or 5 glasses) before breakfast. Mind you, she never allowed me to take breakfast until I drank the last drop! For the first two days, it was a sort of torture for me because I was never used to drinking water soon after I got out of bed. But on the third day forward, I was able to adjust to the routine.

I saw the results of that “forced” water therapy in two weeks! Since then, it has become a habit for me to drink two glasses of water as soon as I get up, and more glasses before eating breakfast.

I won’t impose that you also do what I did – if it were too much for you. After all, experts say at least two cups of water before each meal will do.

This is how water works to help you lose weight

The first obvious reason is that water makes you feel full. Because of this, you will not feel like stuffing yourself with more food, anymore. Second, if you are a beginner in a weight loss program, water is the single best element that will wash out the impurities you have been storing inside your body. Third, when you begin to lose weight, the first thing you would be losing is your “weight water”. Now, this weight water needs to be replenished with fresh water; otherwise your body can suffer from tail spinning.

Contrary to false belief, water does not make you fat or gain weight because you are going to discharge it hours after you drink it, anyway. Besides, studies show that after drinking about 17 ounces (or 0.50275 liters) of water, a person’s metabolic rates increases by 30 percent, which occurs within 10 minutes of water consumption; and that, if you increase your water intake by 1.5 liters per day, you would burn an additional 17,400 calories over the course of a year.

Water cleanses your internal system and washes away the non-essential matters you have keeping inside for a while. Don’t worry if, at the beginning of your water therapy, you see yourself making several trips to the bathroom. Your body will soon adjust to this system, making those visits less and less frequent.

Water and You

For reasons only they know, some people are not keen about drinking much water, for as long as they have soda and other beverages to get by daily. Are they aware at all, that there is more to water than just quenching one's thirst?

Drinking significant measure of water does a tremendous wonder to human health. For all you know, that recurrent leg cramp that constantly plagues you, or that bothersome migraine you persistently suffer can be due to your lack of water intake.

Let's make an analogy between the human body and a car. We all know that a car needs oil to keep it running. When the car's oil level gets too low, its engine starts to run rough; and when you allow the car to be totally depleted of oil, its engine will not run anymore. The same is true with the human body. If you don't fill your body with enough water, several things will eventually occur.

Once and for all, let us lay down some of the important facts about water in relation to the human body.

• Just as 70 percent of the earth's surface is covered with water, so is the human body is composed of a significant percentage of fluid, depending on one's age and on the amount of fat stored in it. Basically, the human brain contains around 85 percent of water; the blood has 80 percent, and the muscles have 70 percent water content.
• Every cell of the human body requires water in order to survive. Water transports oxygen and nutrients to all your cells, making them healthy and hydrated. A dry skin is one manifestation that your cells are dehydrated.
• Water is needed to keep your metabolism working. This is why it helps you lose weight or keeps you from gaining extra pounds.
• Water helps remove toxic wastes that your body absorbs through the food you eat, the chemical content in the products you use on your skin and hair, and the air you breathe.
• It helps regulate your body temperature. Have you wondered why doctors advise you to take a bath in cool water when you have high fever?
• Water cushions your joints from friction and irritation.
• Water keeps your blood pressure from falling to a dangerously low level, and prevents blood clots to develop.
• It keeps your kidneys healthy.
• It helps prevent urinary tract infection.
• It prevents you from having constipation and its subsequent health condition.

Now, let's see whether you have sufficient water in your body or not.

Here are the symptoms of dehydration:

• Dark urine. If you discharge pale yellow or clear urine, that means you have sufficient water intake. But if you release dark yellow or orange-color urine with strong smell, it indicates that your water consumption is not enough.
• Dry skin. You are obviously dehydrated when your skin is dry. Your skin is the largest body organ that needs a significant amount of water.
• Fatigue. This consequently happens when your body lacks water. You must bear in mind that water is a source of energy and provides you a boost in energy.
• Thirst. This is the obvious manifestation of your need for water. It is best recommended that you do not wait until you become thirsty. Rather, make it a habit to drink enough water from time to time.
• Hunger. Sometimes, many people feel hungry when they are actually dehydrated. Make sure, then, that you take a glass of water before having your meal.

And what will happen to you when you are dehydrated?

These are the harmful effects on your body when you are not keen about drinking a good quantity of water every day:

• Feeling tired
• Migraine attack
• Develop constipation
• Muscle cramps
• Have an irregular blood pressure
• Develop kidney ailments
• Noticeably dry skin
• Worst, it you become 20 percent dehydrated, you are at high risk of dying.