I had a comment to my last blog with regards to what counts toward your water intake, and I thought it was important for everyone to know. It is recommended that you drink between 8-10 glasses of water a day, and more if you exercise and/or live in a warm climate. Anything that is caffeinated (coffee, tea, regular or diet sodas) act as a diuretic and do NOT count toward your fluid intake. In fact, if you drink a lot (or all, as in my case) of these, you should drink an extra glass of water to offset this. You might think you will be floating, but your body will adjust to the increased intake and most of you will slow down on your trips down the hall. Juices and other drinks do not count as your fluid intake either, because they have to go through the digestion and metabolism process, which uses water. Plain water or sparkling water DO count, although make sure the carbonated water is sodium free. Add a lime or lemon, a small amount of juice for flavoring. Honestly, I do get tired of drinking water after awhile, but I know how good it is for my body, so I just do it anyway. Keep a water bottle with you, and drink a glass any time you pass the sink. If you don't like it cold, make some hot water with lemon. Whether it's cold or hot, it actually burns calories while bringing it to normal body temperature, so it actually increases your metabolism - yeah!! I would suggest drinking most, if not all, your water before 6:00 p.m. so that you aren't getting up all night.
Water is crucial to your body - every process and all of your cells require water to do their job. Your body is approximately 65% water (70% if you have a lot of muscle). It is especially important for the digestion and metabolism of food, but also works to eliminate toxins from your body. When you exercise, the glycogen that is stored in your muscles requires water to help turn it into fuel for your muscles. You won't be able to perform at your peak if you are dehydrated. Don't wait until you feel thirsty - by then, it's too late and you are already dehydrated to some extent - drink it anyway, and often. Water helps to control appetite by filling you up, and thirst is often mistaken for hunger - so drink water first, and then see how you feel. Fruits and vegetables contain water, so eating several servings a day help to control your weight - they fill you up without a lot of calories. Protein foods contain water, and take a long time to digest - take advantage of all these. I'll see you at the water cooler! Melissa
