Nearly 75% of us live in a chronic state of dehydration, never getting the amount of water that we need to drink. Why is that so terrible? Well, for one thing, even mild dehydration can slow our metabolism down by as much as 3%. For someone who is on a mission to lose as much weight as possible, 3% is significant.
It seems that nearly everyone knows that we should drink 64 ounces of water per day, yet the average Americans drinks only about 36 ounces per day. Where do you stand in your water consumption? If you are newly post op then realistically, you will not be able to consume 64 ounces. Your pouch is swollen and does not have the capacity to hold enough at one time so that you can consume 64 ounces in a day. But 64 ounces per day is what you should strive for by constantly sipping throughout the day.
But let's admit it; most of also have a negative view of water. Water is what makes us feel bloated every month and when we add a few pounds, we associate it with water "weight." Any association with increased weight is enough to send us screaming and running, waving our hands above our heads. Well almost!
Yet water has so many benefits.
Are you tired during the day? Drink some water. Dehydration is the #1 trigger of fatigue.
Does your skin feel itchy? Drink some water. Itchy skin is a symptom of dehydration.
If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Thirst lags far behind the body's need for water.
Feeling hungry? Drink some water. Almost 40% of us can't tell the difference between thirst and hunger because our thirst mechanism is so weak.
Do you have joint pain? Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water could significantly ease back and joint pain in 80% of sufferers.
Concerned about cancer? Drinking 5 glasses of water every day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, decreases the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and reduces the risk of breast cancer by 79%. That's impressive!
Most important of all, at least for us, is the fact that our internal organs function at their peak when they are hydrated. One of their functions is to burn fat. Lacking proper water, you won't burn as much stored fat as you do when dehydrated. So if you want to become a "fat burning machine," drink water!
And remember; don't count beverages with alcohol or with caffeine such as coffee, tea and soda toward your water consumption. The caffeine and alcohol will actually deplete your body of fluid. They act as a diuretic. You need to make up for this consumption by drinking a glass of water for each glass of caffeine or alcohol that you consume. At that rate, you won't have time to eat. Maybe that's the whole point!
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