How 8 Glasses a Day Keeps Fat Away

How 8 Glasses a Day Keeps 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 "magic potion"

for permanent weight loss!


Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize

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 reduce fat deposits. Here's why: The kidneys can't function

properly without enough water. When the kidneys 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.

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 on to every

drop. Water is stored in extra cellular spaces (outside the cells).

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 opportunity. Thus, the condition

quickly returns. The best way to overcome the problem of water

retention is to give the body what it needs.PLENTY OF WATER. Only then

will the stored water be released. If you have a constant problem with

water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate

sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more

water your system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of un-needed

salt is easy - just drink more water. As it's forced through the

kidneys, it takes away excess sodium. 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 needs more water. Water helps maintain proper

muscle tone 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 waste. During weight loss, the body has a

lot more waste to get rid of - all the metabolized fat must be shed.

Again, adequate water helps flush out the 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 gets enough water, normal bowel

functions returns. So far, we've discovered some remarkable truths

about water and weight loss:



The body will not function properly without enough water and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently.

Retained water shows up as excess weight.

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

Drinking water is essential to weight loss. How much water is enough??

On the average, a person should drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day.

That's about 2 quarts. However, the overweight person needs one

additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. The amount you

drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the

weather is hot and dry. Water should preferably be cold - it's absorbed

into the system more quickly than warm water. And some evidence

suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. When

the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are

perfectly balanced. Once 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 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 the situation you'll have to

go back and force another "breakthrough".