Embarking on a weight loss journey can be quite intimidating, especially for those who have never dieted or gotten into a rigorous exercise routine in the past. Unfortunately, many people end up getting so focused on tracking their caloric intake and exercising that they fail to understand one of the most important aspects of weight loss and overall health: staying hydrated.
Weight Loss Benefits
When it comes to losing weight and leading an overall healthier lifestyle, water and hydration are key. First of all, water in its simplest form (with no flavor added to it) is a zero-calorie beverage, meaning you can drink it pretty much guilt-free.
In fact, one study conducted by researchers at Virginia Tech in 2010 found that those who drank about two cups of water before a meal were able to lose five more pounds than a group of people who followed a similar meal plan but did not drink water before meals. By filling up your stomach with water before and during a meal, you’re able to “trick” your body in to feeling fuller, resulting in you consuming fewer calories and thus being able to achieve more successful weight and belly fat loss.
Another study has found that regularly drinking cold water can actually provide you with a metabolism boost; that’s because the body needs to work to warm cold water when it enters the body. While not extremely rigorous on the body, it does require a slight jump in the body’s metabolism because it requires the body to burn more calories to warm the water.
Tips for Increasing Your Water Intake
Most people don’t know how much water they should ideally be drinking to enjoy weight and belly fat loss. In general, you should drink half an ounce of water for every pound you weigh. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, then you should be drinking 100 ounces of water each day (in other words, about 12.5 cups).
If you have a hard time staying on top of your hydration goals, then you might consider keeping a water bottle with you wherever you go. If you don’t care for the bland taste of water, consider adding a little lemon juice or an artificial flavoring packet; just be sure to watch the sugar and calorie content on those. For further guidance, you may also consider joining the Altrua HealthShare COR: 6 Fitness program. From there, you’ll be able to stay better hydrated, resulting in an overall healthier body and perhaps some belly fat loss in the process.