I found this fabulous article about Water & how it helps weight loss. It made me want to go drink all 8 glasses in one sitting. I thought it was worth passing on to the group to read. It's a little long, but well worth the read! (sorry!)

Water

How 8 Glasses a Day Keep Fat Away

Water suppresses the appetite naturally & helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have show that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here’s why: The kidneys can’t function properly without enough water. When they don’t work to capacity, some of the load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver’s primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of the kidney’s work it can’t operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and & weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for Fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold onto every drop. Water is stored in extraceiiular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs & hands. Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along some essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a threat & will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus the condition quickly returns. Te best way to overcome the problems of water retention is to give your body what it needs – plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released. If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium only in a certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water your system retains to dilute it. But getting rid of unneeded salt is easy – drink more water! As it’s forced through the kidneys, it takes away excess sodium.

The overweight person needs more water than the thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water. Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract & by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss – shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which pumps the skin and leaves it clean, healthy & resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss the body has a lot more waste to get rid of – all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush out the waste.

Water helps relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Result? Constipation. But, when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.

So far, we’ve discovered some remarkable truths about water & weight loss:

~ The body will not function properly without enough water & can’t metabolize stored fat efficiently.

~ Retained water shows up as excess weight.

~ To get rid of excess water you my drink more water.

~ Drinking water is essential to weight loss.

How much water is average? On the average, a person should drink eight 8-oz glasses every day. That’s about 2 quarts. However, the overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25 lbs. of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly of if the weather is hot & dry. Water should preferably be cold – it’s absorbed into the system quicker then warm water. Some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories.

To utilize water most efficiently during weight loss, follow this schedule:

Morning: 1 quart consumed over a 30-min. period.

Noon: 1 quart consumed over a 30-min. period.

Evening: 1 quart consumed between 5 & 6 o’clock.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached the “breakthrough point.” What does this mean? 1) Endocrine-gland function improves. 2) Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost. 3) More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat. 4) Natural thirst returns. 5) There is a loss of hunger almost overnight!!

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, & you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain & loss of thirst. To remedy the situation you’ll have to go back & force another “breakthough.”

Very interesting Diane, thanks for sharing, makes me want to go get a bottle right now.

Thanks Diane. I REALLY needed to read this!!!! Ive been slacking!

Thanks Diane...

I saw the title and grabbed for my Water bottle.

I have finished the whole 1 litre bottle while reading this article!

Woo Hoo!

!!!!!!cheers!!!!!!

thanks for the great info..... I really needed that.

nancy

I was the biggest wateraholic before I had my band :rofl: It's really hot where I live and I love very cold Water and would drink a whole glass in one go easily and usually top up a bit more. I would drink 3 litres at least each day.

But since having my band, the really cold water tightens my band and I'm lucky to get a couple of mouthfuls down. I know it just takes longer, but that was definately one side effect I was not counting on. Since I'm getting closer to nice restriction of course it seems even worse.

I know...sip sip sip But I like to guzzle lol

For myself, Water does not curb my appetite.... remember the old diet trick, drink a glass of water b/4 dinner and you'll feel fuller .... haaa only if it was that easy.

BUT !! I do agree with the rest of the article... water is so critical. Your urine should be almost clear (except 1st thing in the morning of course).

Thanks for the article....good reading :rofl:

If you stop drinking enough Water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again, & you may experience Fluid retention, unexplained weight gain & loss of thirst. To remedy the situation you’ll have to go back & force another “breakthough.”

I think this is really important and bears repeating. I've been a big water drinker all my life so it's never been a big worry of mine post-banding. But at times of high restriction it's just been easier not to drink enough, and there's no question that is a vicious cycle because you just aren't thirsty. Water retention >> more restriction >> less water >> less thirst >> water retention...you see where I'm going with this.

Lesson One: KEEP DRINKING!! I need to post that little message somewhere I will see it, every day.

I live in fear of UTIs, so I drink about 3 quarts a day always. I don't like it really cold, so I keep a 1-gallon pitcher at room temp and drink from that. I'm a little worried about being able to drink enough after I'm banded. Hopefully it won't be a problem.

I know I feel a lot better when I drink enough. I have a routine at work but weekends are harder.

Emily

I'm a little worried about being able to drink enough after I'm banded.

Hi Emily. Most bandsters find that a warm drink loosens the band a little and a cold drink tightens it. With room temp you should be fine. You will notice a difference straight after surgery while you're healing of course.

i used to be so bad about Water, but after a UTI I kept increasing my water intake. I am up to about a gallon a day. My skin is clearer and it glows, my breath smells better (funny huh?) and my pee seems crystal clear LOL I drink a lot of hot tea in the morning (teavana is my friend) with nothing it in, but the rest of the day it is only water.

Amy

I always have water in my hand or beside me on my desk. I can't do without it!