Water...

The Benefits of Drinking more Water

(Good Ole H20)

The single most significant, potent and restorative element on earth is free, clear, and odorless. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, it’s available in most grocery stores, bars, outdoor hoses, fountains, lakes and kitchen faucets. It’s supposed to be good for you; in fact, most experts recommend drinking a lot of it in order to stay balanced and healthy. But aside from being essential to our health, there are other reasons why water is so good for us, as has been recorded throughout history.

Creating water was God’s second priority when He created the world, “Let there be a vault between the waters (sky and sea) to separate water from water…and God saw that it was good”. It must have been a long day, because water covers around 70% of the earth’s surface.

Bruce Lee, martial artist/actor based his form of martial arts (Jeet Kune Do) on the principles of water. Bruce said, “Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water…Be water, my friend.”

Jesus baptized his disciples in it, in order to forgive our sins.

Holistic birth practitioners bring babies into the world using water birthing, which is “believed to aid stretching of the perineum and decrease the risk of skin tears” in the mother. Water also “helps to ease the transition from the birth canal to the outside world because the warm liquid resembles the familiar intra-uterine environment, and softens light, colors and noises.”

But wait, there’s more. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine:

• The human body is at least 60% water and our brains are 85% water.

• Humans can survive without any food at all for 30 days, but only 3 days without water will probably kill you.

• Dehydration is the only disease the human body cannot fight. Cancer, AIDS, infections and virus’s can all be overcome by our immune systems, but without water, death is only a matter of time.

• Studies have shown that a fluid loss of even 2% of body weight will adversely affect circulatory functions and decrease performance levels.

• Humans need to drink 20-40oz of water for every hour of exercise.

The Benefits of water are:

• Fluid retention is alleviated

• Liver functions improve, increasing the percentage of fat used for energy

• Natural thirst returns

• Appetite decreases significantly

• Metabolic functions improve

• Body temperature regulation improves

• Blood volume is maintained

Effects of Dehydration

• Decreased performance

• Sodium retention

• Decreased blood pressure

• Decreased cardiac output

• Decreased blood flow to the skin/increased core temperature

• Increased perceived exertion

• Water retention and increased use of muscle glycogen (instead of fat for energy)
   

As you can see, God, Bruce Lee and organic midwives all put emphasis on the power of water; and they were all correct. The truth is that we need to consume at least 96oz of water per day to remain healthy, and that’s just for the most absolute basic bodily functions. If you’re exercising, stressed out, or spending time in the sun, you’ll need a significant amount more.

Weight loss
So, how can water help you to lose weight? It’s a simple concept: the more water that’s in your stomach, the less room there is for food. Aside from distributing imperative nutrients throughout the body, regulating body temperature, flushing out harmful toxins and increasing blood flow to the skin, water decreases hunger.
Last month I started drinking 4 large glasses of water for breakfast; before I put a single bite of food into my mouth. This simple habit has allowed me to maintain my ideal weight. By the 3rd glass of water I feel completely rejuvenated, like I slammed a cup of coffee, except without the jitters. I’ve finally been able to step off the weight loss roller coaster, and it didn’t require I spend a dime or adopt a military-type workout regimen.

Most people that struggle with overeating aren’t hungry; they’re just thirsty, so try drinking 2 large glasses of water before you open the pantry, refrigerator, ice cream carton, candy wrapper or take the guilty stroll to the vending machine. Keep in mind it only takes 21 days to create a new habit or lose an old one, so suck it up and make water your first choice for 3 short weeks. In the end you’ll find that you’ve traded remorse for refreshed.

Written by DanielCrouch, True Balance Health and Wellness
Personal Trainer & Wellness Guide.