The new year is here. I would assume the gym is busier than ever. I wouldn't know because I have been since last year! I will be there tomorrow though. I am such a lazy bones since the holidays. We are going on vacation next Sunday and in my head I'm like "I 'll get back on track after we get back". Why wait? I will go work out tomorrow and Wednesday and Friday! On another note I am so excited for vacation. We are going to Florida. Visiting the in-laws for a few days and Disney with some friends for a few days. I am so excited for Disney. I am so excited that I am 110+ lbs less. I will be able to keep up with everyone. I'll be able to ride the rides with my son. My feet will hurt less. I already scoped out where the gym is in the resort. My goal is to at least make it there twice during the week. I stocked up on my favorite quest protein bars. I figure I can have a shake for breakfast, snack on my bars in the park and then a good dinner. Save money and eat healthy.

I also have to come clean about something. I am the worst water drinker in the world. I really have not been getting my 64 oz a day. I do drink crystal light and decaf coffee. Well, lately I've been getting these really bad pains in my back. I think it is my kidneys. When I get them I stop what I'm doing and try to get down a big glass of water. It seems to help the pain subside. I mentioned it to my doctor. She gave me a script for blood work to check kidney function. I think I was scared straight. I also read up on the benefits of drinking water. It could also account for the dry skin problem I have and a while host of other things that are wrong! So I am on the water drining bandwagon and am aiming for 100 oz per day. This is what I found online....

Top 11 Health Benefits of Drinking Water

You will be amazed of the benefits of drinking water as follow:

1. Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger, it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories.
   
2. Natural Remedy for Headache: Helps to relieve headache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headache, dehydration is the common one.
   
3. Look Younger with Healthier Skin: You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity.
   
4. Better Productivity at Work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and more concentrated.
   
5. Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body temperature. That means you’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises. Water also helps to fuel your muscle.
   
6. Helps in Digestion and Constipation: Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement.
   
7. Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll less likely get cramps and sprains.
   
8. Less Likely to Get Sick and Feel Healthy: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. In another words one of the benefits of drinking water is that it can improve your immune system.
   
9. Relieves Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you.
   
10. Good Mood: Your body feels very good and that’s why you feel happy.
    
11. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining.
    

Can you see the importance of water to your body after understanding the above benefits of drinking water?

I will report back how the water drinking is going....Good Luck to all for a lighter month!