How 8 glasses a day keeps the fat away

HOW 8 GLASSES A DAY KEEPS THE FAT AWAY

Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true “magical potion” for permanent weight loss.

Water suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolise stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase while an increase in water intake can actually cause fat deposits to reduce.

GOT TO FILL THOSE KIDNEYS

Here’s why. The kidneys cannot function properly without enough water. When they do not work to capacity, some of the load is dumped into the liver. One of the liver’s primary functions is to metabolise stored fat into usable energy for the body. But if the liver has to do some of the kidney’s work, it cannot work at full throttle. As a result, it metabolises less fat; more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

SHED WATER WITH WATER

Drinking more 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 on to every drop. Water is stored in extra cellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, hands, and legs. Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. 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.

If you have a water retention problem, excess salt may be the blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in certain concentrations. The more salt you eat, the more water your system retains to dilute it. To rid the body of unneeded salt-just drink more water. As it is forced through the kidneys it takes away the excess sodium. The overweight person needs more water that the thin one as larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration it also helps prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water that pumps 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 metabolised fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.

WATER RELIEVES CONSTIPATION

Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets 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 returns.

So far we have discovered some remarkable truths about water and about weight loss.

· The body will not function properly without enough water and cannot metabolise stored fat efficiently.

· Retained water shows up as excess weight.

· To get rid of excess water you must drink more water.

· Drinking more water is essential to weight loss

HOW MUCH WATER IS ENOUGH

On the average a person should drink 8 glasses every day. However, an overweight person needs one additional glass for every 12kgs (25lbs) of excess weight. The amount that you drink should be increased if you exercise or if the weather is hot. Water should preferably be cold - it is absorbed more quickly into the system than warm water. Some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually burn calories. To utilise water most efficiently try and drink a full glass of water every hour.

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??? The 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 metabolise 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 fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy this situation you have to go back and force another breakthrough.

Taken from the Snowbird Diet by Donald S. Robertson, MD MSc and Carol Robertson