Drinking Water to Lose Weight

When it comes to losing weight, everyone wants some magic concoction that can help them shed those pounds and keep them off. The basic rule for losing weight is to create a calorie deficit by burning more calories than you consume. This is easier said than done. 

Most of us go on crash diets and ultimately give up by gorging on something that we have been craving. Crash diets do more harm than good. They put the body in starving mode and after you give up the diet, all that you consume is stored up as fat to counteract such a dire situation if it arises again. The secret lies in making healthier choices all the time.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water For Weight Loss

In order to lose weight, water and its consumption in the right amount plays a major role. One of the major causes of worry among dieters is the water weight they are carrying because of which no noticeable change is visible on the scale.


Water weight can only be attributed to the extra consumption of salt as the sodium in it aids in water retention. Water weight does not depend on the amount of water that is consumed. Water weight can be lost by reducing salt intake and incorporating exercise into your daily regimen.

In order to lose weight, it is very important that you consume more water. Water not only helps in dissolving toxins and flushing them out of your system, it also helps in curbing your cravings.

A glass or two of water before a meal can help you fill your tummy and eat less. When you eat less because you are feeling fuller, you are less likely to feel hungry soon or even think about food.

Water has zero calories which makes it the ideal beverage for gorging on without having to worry about piling on calories. Stay away from flavored and canned water that can contain sugar. Instead, make water more palatable by adding a few mint leaves or a twist of lime.

Water can cleanse your system and make your skin look healthier. It is of utmost importance because it is very necessary for all the internal processes to be carried out. 

Drinking cold water can help you burn more calories as your body will expend energy to bring up the temperature of the water that you drink in order to utilize it. Your metabolism also gets fired up when you drink some cold water.

Sometimes, when you feel like eating something, you might just be thirsty. Take a sip of water and your craving might just go away instantly. Water can help you lose the stubborn belly fat deposits too. When you are hungry, you can trick your brain into thinking that you are consuming some food by drinking enough water.

Also Read: How to Get Rid of Belly Fat For Women

    
Apart from all the above mentioned reasons, water can help you maintain the pH balance in your body. It can prevent acidity and aid in digestion. It also helps in having regular bowel movements and in getting rid of constipation related problems.

Water constitutes a major portion of our body and its reserves get depleted by the minute. In order to be healthy and maintain your body, the water needs to be replaced. Drinking water can help you stay hydrated, rejuvenated and fresh.

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How to Lose Belly Fat Fast Naturally – Tried and Tested Tips

Natural and Effective “How to Lose Belly Fat Fast” Tips

One of the most dangerous types of fat on a woman is belly fat. This fat is around the waist and often an indicator of certain diseases when at increased levels.

Women have various options available for how to lose belly fat fast. One of the primary issues that can result in weight gain in stress. This is more common for women than men. We are giving you few tried and tested tips on how to lose weight fast for women.

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How To Get A Flat Stomach - Lose Belly Fat - The 3 Essential Keys

If you really think about it, the flat stomach that we all long for is nothing more than a by-product of a more healthy lifestyle. As a society we have adopted a “Super-Size It” mentality when it comes to the portions on our plates, and it has taken its toll on our bathroom scales and waistlines.

Even the food manufacturers have infused the food they package with chemicals that lengthen the shelf-life, but have a drastic affect on our body’s metabolism. It can’t process this food normally and instead, turns it to fat.

The saying “We are what we eat” was never more true than it is today.

1.  Diet
So the first key to getting that flat stomach is to adjust what we eat and the way we think about food. In other words, go back to a time when we ate more fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables. You should also eliminate any processed food from your diet. Avoid things such as most all canned food, white bread, bottled fruit juices, etc.

RELATED: BIKINI BODY QUICK FIX

There are many good healthy diet plans and programs available today that will lead you to that flat stomach and a much healthier you. If you do a little research, I’m sure you can find something to suit your particular situation and tastes.

2.  Exercise
The next important step toward that flat stomach is exercise. You can’t avoid it, so you might as well get used to it. Once you get into an exercise routine, it’s not as bad as most think. Heck, some people become almost addicted to the adrenalin rush, and suffer withdrawal-like feelings when their schedules don’t allow them to get their exercise “fix”. That is a little over-exaggerated and maybe hard to imagine, but it’s true.

Just like diet, there is an overwhelming amount of information on when, how, what and where to exercise. Many different opinions and many different methods on this subject as well. Again, a little research is in order to find the right exercise program so you can attain that flat stomach you want.

3.  Commitment
The third and last key to a flat stomach is commitment. This one may be the hardest for some people. But it may be the most important. If you aren’t committed, you’re doomed. I talked before of a lifestyle change, well here it is. You are not going to achieve that flat stomach without a strong and pledged effort.

These are the 3 steps that are extremely critical if you want to achieve your weight loss goals and maintain a long-term healthy weight. The most important aspect is to a find a diet plan that is right for you and easy and fun to follow. Your goal to have a flat stomach will be achieved if you follow this plan.

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Breathing Into A Thinner Stomach

I must admit I have been overindulging in ice cream this past month, which has already made some of my tighter clothes unfitting. And although I am sorry to say this, I'm going on a stricter diet from today, which means little or no carbs – and no ice cream.

As I am sucking on ice cubes, imagining it was thick, delicious Italian gelato (did I mention I was a real foodie?), I am trying to decide which fitness activity to start, since there is no such thing as true weight loss without exercise.

And although I am going to start running as soon as I can fit into my shorts, I am not going to sit round doing nothing: I'm going to breathe.

You've read right, you can exercise while simply breathing, which is a technique I learnt in my lazier years. The trick is to inhale, contract any muscles you have in the abdominal area, hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale, relaxing your muscles. Doing this becomes natural after a couple of minutes.

Breathing your stomach muscles into shape can be done virtually anywhere, sitting in front of a computer, watching a chick-flick or riding public transportation. It can be also done with other body parts, such as buttocks or thighs.

Happy exercise breathing, and let me know if any of you are on the weight loss path too, we can share the heart pain!

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Bikini Body Quick Fix - Lay Off The Salt

If your vacation is coming round in just a week or two, and the bikini you bought two months ago is still a size too small, although you promised yourself you will workout four times a week - it's high time you did something.

And even though I for one am against quick fixes to any problem, sometimes there just isn't enough time for anything else. So, if you want to lose up to 6 pounds in a week, you should lay off salt. This is because excess salt consumption causes fluid retention which in turn causes swelled tummies, puffy eyes and weird looking skin.

This means - no pizza, ready made meals, salami, olives, chips, soy sauce, cheeseburgers...and all other salty items, especially table salt. Be careful to check the ingredients list - look for NaCl, sodium chloride or simply sodium, because there are many items with hidden sodium. For your reference, a simple McDonald's salad can have up to 1,1 grams of sodium in it, and that's without the dressing! Find useful information about sodium levels in common foods here.

I tend to use less salt in my food for over a year now. At first all the food tasted bland, but after a week I began tasting other flavors, which were usually hidden with all the salt I used. I learnt that many herbs add salty flavor - such as rosemary and thyme. Also, I would suggest against using salt substitutes, since they exchange sodium for something else (such as potassium), which is not really healthy.

At last a warning: for your well being and the proper functioning of your body's electrolytes you should take at least 2 to 4 grams of salt a day, which translates to 1,5 grams of sodium. This is not much if you know that an average American takes at least 9 grams of salt a day. So, you should take 2 grams per day for a week to get rid of all excess water and than bring the level up to 4 grams, so that the fluid retention does not come back.

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Control Your Body Weight in Holiday Parties

It's estimated that Americans gain an average of seven pounds during the holiday season, beginning at Thanksgiving and continuing this little food fest until New Years. Unless you want to count yourself among the millions who wake up on January 1, vowing to kick your chubby butt in gear, practice some simple steps at all your holiday parties to keep your weight under control.

1. Eat before the party. That doesn't mean eat a four-course meal and then go partying. That means eat a small, healthy snack at home. Some suggestions: fresh fruit, yogurt, whole wheat bagel, rice cakes, a couple of peanut butter crackers.

2. Eat the healthy stuff first. When the hors d'oeuvres trays start coming, reach for the fresh fruits and vegetables first. Make these healthy snacks the base of your party consumption and you may find yourself too full for too much chocolate.

3. Don't stand next to the food all night. We've all this person at parties. He or she guards the food table like the Snack Police. Don't let this be you. You're at the party to mingle, make new connections, have fun! So talk to people you know and introduce yourself to some you don't know. Leave the Snack Police job to someone else.

4. Eat goodies in moderation. Let's face it-part of the fun of the holidays is all the treats. Office parties, private parties, family gatherings...yummy food is everywhere. Because it's such a special time of year, I wouldn't feel right advising anyone to deprive themselves, but eat these goodies in moderation. Instead of gobbling down a brownie, a Christmas cookie and a huge mug of eggnog, decide which one you want the most. Select a small portion and relish every bite. You might not even end up eating the whole thing. If you do, don't beat yourself up about it.

5. Watch your alcohol consumption. We tend to eat more when we feel relaxed and happy. Set a limit on drinks-two is a good number; three an absolute max. Otherwise, you may wake up the next day and find a YouTube video of yourself dancing on a tabletop while wearing a lampshade on your head. And nothing else.

6. Exercise. I know, you're busy. How can you possibly fit exercise in a crowded schedule? While you might not be able to keep up a full workout routine, don't abandon it altogether. If you're not done Christmas shopping, slip some sneakers on your feet and walk the mall at a brisk pace in between stops. If you don't have time for a 30-minute exercise session, do 10 minute intervals, three or four times a day. You do have 10 minutes, don't you?

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