We talk a lot about the right foods to eat and avoid in regards to losing weight, but sometimes the simplest things can make a big difference. One reader recently emailed me asking - how much water should I drink to lose weight?
Great question! But before I answer it, I want to explore a little about the health benefits of drinking water, to avoid any misleading information.
Does drinking water help you lose weight?
Before you go drown yourself in lovely refreshing water, you need to understand that it’s not some magical potion. Drinking loads of water alone will not help you if you eat a fast food loaded diet and get very little exercise. But does drinking water help you lose weight? The short answer is yes, it CAN – when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices.
Health benefits of drinking water
I’m going to go all scientifical on you for a moment. Water is our body’s primary chemical component and makes up almost 70 percent of your body weight. All your systems and bodily functions depend on water! Water carries nutrients to and from your cells, and flushes toxins out of your vital organs and body. It’s also a fact that a lot of us don’t drink enough water to begin with. This means we are dehydrated – our bodies don’t have sufficient water to perform regular functions, and can leave us tired.
Drinking water to lose weight can also increase metabolism – the rate at which your body burns calories! A study in Germany showed that after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water, metabolic rates increased by 30% for both men and women after just 30 minutes. It is estimated that by drinking 1.5 liters more water a day, you would burn an extra 17,400 calories (or 5 pounds) a year. It may seem like a small difference, but I think that’s a pretty impressive result for just drinking a little extra water each day.
There are also some indirect benefits that come with drinking water to lose weight. If you drink more water every day, you’ll naturally drink less sugary drinks. This alone will cut down your daily calorie totals significantly – and lead to weight loss. It may seem hard at first, but after a few weeks you won’t even feel anything for that can of soft drink (I experienced this first hand). Your stomach will also feel more full throughout the day, so you’ll naturally eat smaller portions during meals, and feel less cravings in between.
How much water to drink a day to lose weight?
How much water should I drink to lose weight? Well, every person’s hydration needs are different. If you are bigger, you will require more water. The same applies if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you exercise a lot, or live in a hot or humid environment.
A GENERAL rule of thumb is to start at eight 8-ounce glasses a day (about 1.9 liters), and drink more according to your requirements, or if you feel thirsty. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink about 3.7 liters and women drink 2.7 liters of water a day. This figure includes water found in food and other drinks.
How much water should I drink a day to lose weight?
Generally by the time you feel thirsty, chances are your body is already dehydrated. That’s why it’s not a good idea to use thirst as an indicator for when you need to drink. Instead, you should plan out your day and spread the water evenly. For example, you can drink a glass of water between each meal, and during each meal. It’s also important to hydrate yourself before, during, and after a workout. It’s also possible (although rare) to drink too much water, so don’t overdo it!
If you have a weight loss question you’d like me to write about, I’d love to hear it! Just click on the “Contact Amy” link at the top, and make sure to use your question as the subject field (e.g. how much water should I drink to lose weight). I read and reply to every email!
Other people found this page by searching for:
- how much water should i drink a day to lose weight
- how much water should you drink a day to lose weight fast
- How much water to drink to lose weight
- how much water should i drink to lose weight fast
- how much water to drink to lose weight fast
- how much water should i drink to lose weight
- how much water should i drink
- how much water a day should i drink to lose weight
- how much water should i drink to lose weight in a day
- how much water should i drink in a day to lose weight
You must log in to post a comment.