Drink More Water!

Drink More Water! Drink More Water!

Drink More Water! Drink More Water!

This is my diet mantra for this upcoming week. I have absolutely faltered in this department for some reason this week. I have had more coffee than usual and less water than is healthy. Water is so important to your body:

If the importance of a nutrient is judged by how long we can do without it, water ranks as the most important. A person can survive only eight to ten days without water, whereas it takes weeks or even months to die from a lack of food. Water circulates through our blood and lymphatic system, transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing wastes through urine and sweat. Water also maintains the natural balance between dissolved salts and water inside and outside of cells. Our joints and soft tissues depend on the cushioning that water provides for them. While water has no caloric value and therefore is not an energy source, without it in our diets we could not digest or absorb the foods we eat or eliminate the body’s digestive waste.

The human body is 65 percent water, and it takes an average of eight to ten cups to replenish the water our bodies lose each day. How much water a person needs depends largely on the volume of urine and sweat lost daily, and water needs are increased if a person suffers from diarrhea or vomiting or undergoes heavy physical exercise. Water is replenished by drinking liquids, preferably those without caffeine or alcohol, both of which increase the output of urine and thus dehydrate the body. Many foods are also a good source of water—fruits and vegetables, for instance, are 80 to 95 percent water; meats are made up of 50 percent water; and grains, such as oats and rice, can have as much as 35 percent water.

I can always tell when I need water. I wear contact lenses – and therefore am always checking out my eyeballs – and my eyes don’t seem to be as round as they are normally. They also aren’t as bright and clear. My skin looks haggard and honestly I just don’t feel good. That is me today. And this little stomach bug I seem to have isn’t helping things either.

Weekly JC consultation and weigh in is tomorrow. My weight has been fluctuating up and down 4 pounds all week. Wonder what surprise I will get on the official weigh in tomorrow? Saying a small prayer I hit my 3 pound goal, but I think its rather unlikely.

Image | Quote from Encarta