Does drinking lots of water aid in weight loss, or is it only to help bandsters avoid dehydration? On past diets, 64 ounces of water daily was required. That much always leaves me feeling bloated. Plus, how in the world are you supposed to get in that much water without washing all of your meals right through your band? My doctor has said to only drink when I'm thirsty, but I don't want to do anything to slow down my weight loss. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

Hmm, I read a good article once on why Water is important for weightloss and I wish I could remember where I saw the link to it. It had to do with basically - if you do not drink the 64oz of water a day your body is not receiving the water that it needs and therefore stores water because it thinks it will not get enough and storing water (causing water weight). However, if you are drinking enough water your body does not feel the need to store that water and thinks it will be given enough. Now whether all that is true... lol.

My doc and I think quite a few others as well has said 64 oz's a day drink as much water as possible.

It helps flush the toxins from your body that you are losing as you lose weight.

If I don't get enough water/fluids in, my weight loss totally stalls!

Kat

There is a prevailing myth that everyone needs 8 glasses of Water a day. It originated from the determination that the body contains that much water, and it got misconstrued.

However, I find that good hydration helps keep me from getting constipated, and when I am constipated my weight loss goes down to zero.

I live in Arizona part of the year, and we carry water with us at all times,

and drink constantly since the dry hot climate just sucks it out of you.

With the band and the rule about not drinking with your meals, it is sometimes difficult to keep enough fluids going through. I think we just need to be aware that our bodies do need sufficient water to work correctly and be sure we drink in between meals.

I don't have links, but I also read the Water thing is a myth, because food you eat is so full of water, that you get your daily water needs just from eating.

That being said, I personally try to drink quite a bit of water "just in case".

This is another one of those situations that tell you conflicting information depending on what you read. Who knows the truth?

Here is what I've been told/heard: You need Water to flush out your system. If you aren't drinking enough, your body starts to store it (water retention) and this causes you to bloat and not lose weight as effectively.

I've also read that if you only drink when thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Not so sure on that one or where I read it, but I believe it to be true.

And, just from my own experience, I know if I am not getting enough water, my weight tends to go up a few lbs even though I do cardio every day and watch my diet. When I start to make a mental note to be sure to drink water, my weight starts to regulate and go down again.

Lastly, I know I drink ALOT more than 64 oz in a day and I still find myself dehydrated simply because of how much I exercise. If I do more cardio, I sweat more. Then, I need more water just to replenish what I sweated out.

I believe that if you start drinking 64 oz of water (or at least some goal you make yourself hit every day) that bloating feeling will go away as you are used to having that much water go through you. I know I feel better when I'm getting in my water every day, but if I go through a period where I'm not, I spend all day running to the bathroom while I get used to drinking so much again. :rolleyes2:

this question is a little OT but since this is a Water thread I thought i'd put it here....

Has anyone had a problem getting water down? I LOVE water and when I'm "good" (ie eating/exercising well) I drink about 120 oz per day....but I love to guzzle water when i'm thirsty....just wondering if that could be a problem after banding...