You might think that you don’t have to worry about hydration in December on Mayne Island. (On Maui you would, of course.) Maybe you always carried a bottle of water in summer when it was sweltering out. But here and now, staying hydrated isn’t a concern, right? Wrong! You probably feel less thirsty in cold weather, but being less thirsty doesn’t mean that you’re better hydrated.
Why is hydration important? Your body needs water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, and lubricate your joints. It also helps you take off pounds.
An important component of any healthy weight loss plan is exercise. Whether you’re walking, carrying firewood, playing with your toddler, lifting weights, or dancing, you’re losing fluids and need to replenish them.
Water is a natural appetite suppressant. It can give you a feeling of fullness and reduce your hunger, especially if you drink a glass of water before you eat your meal. Water is also essential for burning off fat from the food we consume, as well as from stored fat.
Fortunately, you can easily get water from the foods that you eat. Not only are fruits and vegetables good for you because they contain essential vitamins and minerals, but they also help you stay hydrated. Cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, celery, spinach, and even pickles are 90 to 99% water.
Do you drink even a few high-calorie drinks like pop or sugary coffee each day? Drinking water instead can reduce your overall liquid calorie intake. Replacing those drinks with either water or other no-calorie beverages may have long-term weight loss benefits. If you find it difficult to drink water when it’s cold outside, try drinking warm beverages.
Our water needs vary with our age, sex, weather, activity level, and overall health, so there is no exact formula on how much to drink. In a healthy person, your urine is a good indicator of your hydration status. Pale yellow urine that looks like lemonade is a good goal. Darker urine means you need more water. Colorless urine means you are over hydrated.
If you have a medical condition such as congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney problems, or uncontrolled diabetes, or are taking drugs that make you extremely thirsty, your doctor will help you discover the correct amount of hydration you need.
Our goal at TOPS is to achieve a healthy weight while developing health-giving habits that will last us a lifetime. We meet every Wednesday morning at the Community Centre from 9:00 to 10:00. We’re a low-cost, enjoyable, self-help program that cheerfully welcomes everyone. (Your first visit is free.) If you want to Take Off Pounds Sensibly with us, please call...
Submitted by Amber Harvey
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