How to Lose Weight by Drinking Water

Drinking water is the ultimate in free weight loss aids. If you've been skimping on water intake lately, you may be missing out on an easy way to jump start your weight loss. Read on to find out why.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drinkable water

1. Drinking Water Burns Calories
   
   A few years ago, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism published a study from the Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center in Berlin that connected water consumption with increased metabolism. In a nutshell, the researchers found that if a person drank 17 ounces of water, they ended up burning as much as 30% more calories than when they didn't drink the water. The raised metabolic rate lasted, on average, for half an hour.
   
   What does this mean for you and your weight loss efforts? The researchers estimate a 5-lb-a-year weight loss if someone were to increase their water consumption by slightly more than a third of a gallon a day.

2. Consuming Water Decreases Mindless Snacking
   
   Try this the next time you get the munchies: Drink a glass or two of water, and then wait ten minutes. If you're still hungry, have a modest snack. But if you find that your hunger has vanished, congratulations! You saved calories by taking care of your thirst, which can sometimes feel like hunger.

3. Drink Water to Energize!
   
   Water consumption gives us energy by maintaining blood volume. When blood flows throughout our bodies, it carries oxygen. This oxygen goes into our muscles to keep them pumped and--you guessed it--energized! Staying hydrated with water also keeps us active by decreasing muscle soreness during physical activity.
   
   So, drink to your health. Staying hydrated with water should be #1 on your diet plan.

4. Interested in eating healthy? To find healthy recipes or healthy food reviews, check out the Resources area below. In addition, there are links provided to learn more about buying purer water. I hope these links are helpful, and thanks for reading this article.

Tips & Warnings

• Add freshly squeezed lemon, lime, or orange to your water when a little pizazz is needed.
• Water intoxication is serious business! Don't force abnormally large amounts of water down in one sitting. Take sips instead of gulps to keep your water intake at a moderate level.

Resources

• Ice Mountain Bottled Water
• PUR Water Filter Systems
• Making Healthy Food Choices
• Cheap and Healthy Meals

[jrosengarten]

on 6/17/2009 Well said. I firmly believe that drinking water is key in the battle to lose weight

[theperfectfit]

on 3/2/2009 A friend of mine drinks 12-1 glasses of water a day - she says that she sleeps sitting on the toilet. I hate to get up at night....

[coachmac4]

on 1/24/2009 Good points about drinking water! I need to remember this! 5*

[Desula]

on 9/1/2008 Great tips on drinking water to lose weight. Thank you!!!

[Sondrac]

on 8/26/2008 I should try this. I could use losing weight. Thanks for sharing. 5 stars.