water worries....

i have now got into the swing of it. but only one problem now. The water.....i am really struggling just to get the minimum about down me. what effect will it have on me if i don't have enough. i am sure i will be able to increase the intake in time but just now its a struggle. i tied sparkling water and it was awful.

Well done for getting in the swing of things, I salute u! From what I can gather, the water makes u feel fuller, and also healthy. Food contains alot of hidden water, so as u are not eating u need to get the water by drinking it and it will keep hydrated. I just have water near me everywhere, a glass when I am watching telly, on my desk at work, in my bag, a bottle in the car, I just drink, drink, drink all the time, sometimes not even realising, it soon adds up. Good luck and keep drinking. Tea/coffee also counts.

You NEED the minimum amount - you'll quickly become dehydrated if you don't!
Try drinking through a straw or setting yourself challenges, eg 1 litre before lunch etc...

It is hard to drink lots if you aren't used to it, I was the same. Have a bottle with you and sip from it regularly, you'll soon increase what you are taking in. I find I'm thirsty if I don't manage a minimum of 3L a day. As for sparkling water, I hated it at first but now prefer it. I had diet coke at Christmas and it was disgustingly sweet - and I got through 1-2L a day of it pre-LT!!!!

Hang in there and just keep sipping!

x

You might not lose as much as you could if you don't have at least the minimum 2lts.
If you make your shakes with the 250mls they say why not add more to them? Make them 450 instead and you'll be getting an extra .6lt if you're having 3 - just a thought. x

It definitely helps ...

Why drink water on a VLCD ?

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 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 kidneys’ work, it can't operate at full throttle, so it metabolizes less fat. As a result, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss comes to a stop.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention.
When the body gets less - water, it perceives it as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cells) and 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 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 individuals 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 of 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 the body get rid of waste.

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 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 of these primary sources. Result - constipation. But, when an individual drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.

So far, we’ve discovered some remarkable truths about water and weight loss:

· The body will not function properly and can’t metabolize stored fat efficiently without enough water.
· Retained water shows up as excess weight.
· To get rid of water, you must drink more water.
· Drinking water is essential to weight loss.

How much water is enough?

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

However, the overweight individual needs one additional glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight.

The amount you drink should also be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.

It is preferable to drink cold water, which is absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water.

Some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn more calories.

My recommendation to clients is 4 litres for ladies and 6 litres for bigger guys.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced and:
· Endocrine-gland function improves
· Fluid retention is alleviated
· 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

When I did the diet I put my quick and large losses down to the water, I also put the fact I have NEVER been hungry since Day 7 on the water I am drinking. Don't underestimate how much it helps you!!!

If it means finishing the diet earlier and with less pain then get glugging!!

Don't think of it as water!! Think of it as a fat attacking liquid!!!!

(nicked from another thread )

Wow!! That is an amazing post, thank you. I will definately take that on board, really useful information. And the motivation for us all to get drinking!! Fat attacking liquid! LOve it

great post, i think that might explain my swollen fingers and the fact that i think i've gained weight this week (WI due tomorrow).....i seem to drink less on a weekend as my week day routine is messed up
i'm going for a bottle of water now

Oh I'm definitely the same, I don't like water at the best of times, and when I know I 'have' to drink it, it seems worse. When I first started my diet I drank at least three litres of water and my weight loss was great, but in the last few months my water intake has greatly reduced, and unfortunately so has my losses. I've now made the very definite decision to increase the water once again. I'm already drank over 1 litre this morning, plus two coffee's (although my CDC says that you cannot include coffee in your water intake, and should in fact drink more water for each coffee). Try and add the water flavourings, I didn't like them at first but really love the berry one now. HTH

Sorry downesy, but I'm sure I read that you mustn't have flavoured waters. Please read and re-read the info Jan has sent you. Water is the stuff of life and the fact that it HELPS you to lose weight faster, should be enough to make you..... :7834: :7834: :7834: