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Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body
metabolize fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water
intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase
in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits.
Here's why: The kidneys can't function properly without enough
water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is
dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is
to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But,
if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't
operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat,
more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.
Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention.
When the body gets less water it perceives this as a threat to
survival and begins to hold onto every drop. Water is stored in
the extracellular spaces (outside the cell walls). This shows up
as swollen feet, legs and hands. Diuretics offer a temporary
solution at best. They force out stored water along with some
essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a threat and
will replace the lost water at the first opportuinity. Thus,
the condition quickly returns.
The best way to overcome the problem of water retention, is to give
your body what it needs — plenty of water. Only then will stored water
be released. The overweight person needs more water than the thin one.
Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is
the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person meeds
more water.
Water helps maintain proper muscle tone.
It does this by giving muscles their natural ability to contract
and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging
skin that usually follows weight loss — shrinking cells are buoyed by
water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.
Water helps rid the body of wastes.
During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of — all
that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush
out waste.
Water can help relieve constipation.
When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from
internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation.
But, when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually
returns.
So how much water is enough?
On the average a person should drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day.
That's about two quarts. However, the overweight person needs on additional
glass for every 25 pounds overweight. The amount you drink should also be
increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.
Water should be preferably cold — it's absorbed into the system more quickly
than warm water. And some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can
actually help you burn calories.
To utilize water most efficiently during weight loss follow this schedule:
Morning:
1 quart consumed over a 30 minute period.
Noon:
1 quart consumed over a 30 minute period.
Evening:
1 quart consumed between 5 and 6 o'clock.
When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids
are perfectly balanced. When this happens you have reached the
"breakthrough point." What does this mean?
- Endocrine-gland function improves.
- Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost.
- More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat.
- Natural thirst returns.
- There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.
If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown
out of balance again, and you may experience unexplained weight gain
and loss of thirst. To remedy this situation you'll have to go back
and force another breakthrough.
The above article taken from "The Snowbird Diet" by Donald S. Roberston,
M.D., MSC.
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