What do they have in common? Humm, maybe they both start with "W", (giggle) no seriously, either one of these subjects could have just been added to one of the other posts in this series but I believe they are both important enough to stand alone.
Water!
How much do you need to drink and why?
Every diet I have ever studied agree that you should drink plenty of water! Plenty of water?? What does that mean? We have all heard about the eight-8 ozs a day but now Medicine disagrees and there are a variety of different opinions. But they all are in agreement that drinking plenty of water speeds weigh loss. Some say it speeds up your metabolism, others say it just makes one feel fuller and eat less especially if the water is drank before meals. I have heard that we confuse our signals and eat when we are really thirsty. But regardless of the reasons, it helps weight loss and is also good for my skin and my brain (yes, plenty of water helps brain functions). So I decided to just take a common sense approach and drink at least 64 ounces (the old eight-8 ozs) a day and then judge. I purchased a few cool water bottles that held 28oz (3 1/2cups) of water and drank 3 a day. After a few weeks I was drinking almost 4 of these a day and I had cut out all those "other" beverages from my diet. I was a total coffeeholic but now I really don't have a urge to even drink coffee. It's not something I tried to do, it just happened. I have the theory that water has satisfied my thirst so I don't have cravings for diet soda, coffee or even tea. I do drink those when I choose but just don't crave them. So now I drink from 84-112 ounces a day or about 10-14 cups and I have noticed I do drink more water when I keep it cold in the refrigerator. I have my bottle with me always, in the Gym when I work out, near me when I am watching TV or working on the computer and I never leave the house without my water bottle.
Yes, I do numerous bathroom breaks but that just means I am drinking plenty of water and everything is working just fine:))) Maybe that just gives me a little more exercise, walking to the Ladies Room:)))
I weigh in every morning, yes every single morning. Most experts say only weigh in once a week but I can't do this. My weight does waver, I usually hit a new low and then go up and back for a few days then I either settle on the new low or go lower. This keeps me focused and I can tell you every day exactly what my weight is. One may say it is not helpful to be so focused on weight but I am on a healthy journey and I need to lose weight to obtain my goal of good health. And I can't control and repair what I don't know and acknowledge. So I face it every morning and I am able to plan my day with these facts in mind.
I have a yellow legal notepad next to my scales and write down my weight, body fat % and water % every day. Anytime I plateau, I just review and regroup to make changes to the big PLAN to kick myself off that ledge:)) It works for me and even after I reach my goal weight I will continue to weigh in every day. Need to catch those pesky pounds before the multiply out of control again.
My Goal weight, you ask?
I am not sure, I am just giving myself milestones and when I reach my "goal weight" I will know. Right now I have less than 9 lbs to go and I will have lost my 30 lbs that frighten me into starting this Healthy Journey. I will see how I feel and how I feel I look at that time and decide on the next milestone.
Next Week: My Exercise Plan
If you have missed any of this series
How I Lost 20 lbs in 3 months
Week 1- The Plan
Week 2- Menu Changes, Suggestions and Options
Week 3- Water and Weigh-In
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