Health, Nutrition & Weight Loss - Week 1, Day 5

This may be the simplest day yet, and you may already be doing this, but - DRINK MORE WATER!

It could mean up to 5 lbs. of fat loss in 1 month!

Water helps to naturally suppress hunger, prevent water retention and bloating (oh, how we all love that feeling!), help muscle tissue work more efficiently to burn calories, rid your body of toxins, prevent and relieve constipation (another favorite, eh?), and increase the efficiency of your metabolism.

I know I already mentioned how amazing our bodies are, but when you consider how all the organs function and work together to keep us going, you couldn't possibly believe in anything other than God as our Creator!

Let's start with the kidneys, which need adequate water to function well. If they don't get sufficient amounts, then some of the workload gets dumped on the liver. The liver is one of the key organs for metabolizing fat. If the liver has to start doing the work of the kidneys, it's not going to be able to work as hard at burning the fat. So stop making your organs have to multitask - they weren't built for that!

If you are not already doing this, then try to work toward a goal of 12 8oz. glasses a day. (Yes, other beverages like coffee, iced tea, diet soda and other calorie-free beverages count, but none of them is as good as plain old water!). I personally am a big coffee drinker, so I have to make myself drink water in between. (I know, I know, but it's my only vice and I'm still working on it, O.K.?!)  Besides, coffee acts more as a diuretic, and can actually dehydrate you.

I know we've already talked about the affects of sugar, so PLEASE try to stay away from regular soda!  If you need a little incentive, how about 1 12oz. can = 10 tsp. of granulated sugar!  AND, 1 single can of regular soda per day can make you gain 15 pounds of body weight per year!

Soda, "energy" drinks and sports drinks are basically sugar and water. And fruit juices (unless 100% juice and used as your carb) should be avoided too.

So..............be kind to your liver - drink water. Journal your water consumption along with your meals and snacks (you are still doing that - right?). If you choose an occasional substitute that must be sweet, select beverages sweetened with Splenda rather than Aspartame.

Oh, and one last thing (no, two): If you exercise during the day, then add one 8oz. glass of water for every 20 minutes of exercise.

And finally, don't get on the scale. (That's right - resist the urge!) You are more than likely burning fat and losing inches, but your body weight can fluctuate 1 to 4 lbs. daily.  Be patient - you know you feel better! And besides, this is a "lifestyle", not a diet. You will be pleasantly surprised in a few weeks if you are making these changes and sticking with them! God bless!