Water is vital for life. About 90% of the human body is made of water. Not surprising since most people feel that they are quite literally “feeling” better when they are hydrated. If you are not drinking the recommended eight glasses of water each day, then you are probably already suffering from dehydration. So, what is the recommended amount of water to drink each day? The answer may surprise you.
How Much Water Should You Drink to Lose Weight?
To start with, drinking too much water can cause you to gain weight. The water in your stomach may behave like a liquid candy machine, giving you the sugar highs that come with the addiction. While it is certainly desirable to drink as much water as possible to stay hydrated and keep your body fluids in balance, drinking too much can result in weight gain. The general rule of thumb is that you should drink about a glass of water for every hour that you spend outside. For instance, if you exercise for three hours, then you should drink about three glasses of water to stay hydrated. You should not be drinking any more or less than that depending on how long and what type of workout you had. Your thirst will also be more effectively controlled if you drink a glass of water before and after your workouts so that your body does not remain dehydrated.
Drink Whenever You Are Tired
Another important point to make about water is that you should drink it whenever you are thirsty. You do not need to schedule your drink if you feel that your body requires it. If you are physically active and working hard, then you will certainly be dehydrated. In order to rehydrate, you should drink a glass of water. If this is not possible then you should drink some herbal tea or a sports drink instead. These are healthier alternatives that are just as effective as water in helping your body stay hydrated.
Avoid Soda And Juice
Finally, you should avoid soda and juices if you want to lose weight. Both of these beverages contain a large amount of sugars. These sugars stimulate your appetite, resulting in you consuming more calories than you need. There is also the extra calories from the added carbs in juices and sodas which make them less healthy than plain water. Even worse, the added sugar in sodas can cause tooth decay. So next time you are at the soda shop, avoid all types of carbonated drinks and opt for water instead.
As you can see, there are many good reasons why you should drink about eight glasses of water each day. Make sure to hydrate your body properly so that you can perform at your best!