Drink More... Water

I would love to drink more water.  I have every intention of doing so.  I know all the information that says that if I would drink more water, I would be healthier.  Sometimes I do really well.  Days when I am not working or days when I am exercising alot I do really well.  However, days when I am busy and my schedule is hectic I seem to really struggle.  Does that sound like you?  Let's look at some reasons why we all should be drinking more water and then a couple strategies to make it happen.

Benefits of increased water consumption:

1.)  Better bodily cleansing.  Water cleanses the body of toxins, dead blood cells and many other bad things.  When you are well-hydrated this function can perform at top level and you will have a clean body.  I have never had kidney stones (they sound awful) but they are a major motivator for me to keep drinking water instead of tea and soda.

2.)  Better Digestive and Elimination of solids.  Water is essential to digestion and processing of solids.  Water will keep things moving regularly and even help to eliminate some of that stuff that has been stored up in your colon and intestines for quite a while.  Good hydration can keep you feeling comfortable down below and help clean things out properly.

3.)  Skin tone and clarity.  Again the theme continues.  When you drink plenty of water your body is cleaner.  One place that clean look really shows up is your skin.  Your face will be cleaner and less oily which will improve its overall look.  One of the tests for dehydration involves how your skin functions.  Water is very important to skin health and appearance.

4.)  Avoid that 2:30 feeling.  It seems like at about 2:30 every afternoon I start to drag and get hungry.  This feeling may be dehydration instead of fatigue or hunger.  Many times a hungry feeling can indicate a lack of water instead of a lack of food.  Also that sluggish feeling is typically related to hydration.  A good flow of water in the afternoon can help relieve these symptoms and keep you energetic all the way through the afternoon.

5.)  When you up the amount of water you are drinking you will usually have to reduce the amount of soda/tea/sugary drinks you can consume.  Drinking a cup of water before your meal will reduce the amount of room in your stomach and you will feel full faster.  Less Calories!  Here's some basic math.  If you can reduce your calories from soda/tea/sugary drinks by 350 per day (typical amount of calories in a gas station soda) and save the money you spend (my local convenience store is selling any size drink for $1) from now till Christmas you could cut about 7 pounds of weight and save around $100.  You can use that money to buy a new Christmas outfit since you will be a few sizes smaller.

A few strategies to help you drink more water:
-Carry a water bottle.  You tend to drink whatever is near and handy.  Fill it/Drain it three to four times a day to see a major difference in your health and well being.
-Put yourself on a once a week soda purchase plan.  Cutting soda out completely is tough to do, but by getting our habit under control we can save thousands of calories a week.  Make it a money issue in addition to health.  If you are normally spending $15 (in gas stations, at machines, groccery stores and at restaurants) per week, cut that back to $3 per week and bank the other $12.  As you see your bank account growing you should also see your waist slimming.

Today is a Monday and tomorrow is a new month.  Beginning of weeks and months are a great time to begin new habits. Good Luck!