I once had a co-worker who, in what appeared to be a drastically short amount of time, went from being a very plump 14, to a sporty size 6. Having undergone my own weight-loss and fitness transformation, I couldn’t help but ask her how she did it. “I used to drink about 8-12 cans of Coke every day,” she said. “I switched to diet [soda]. and lost 30 pounds in 3 months.”
I was astounded. She looked like a different person after shedding so much weight, yet it seemed like such a simple solution. From that day forward, I’ve avoided drinking caloric beverages as much as possible.
Eliminating juice, soda, and alcoholic drinks from your diet is a super simple way to start shedding pounds today. “Staying away from such drinks will account for significant fat loss for some people who are used to having several hundred calories a day in liquid form alone” says celebrity fitness guru Harley Pasternak.
While my co-worker making the switch from regular to diet soda (and the calories involved) certainly helped her cause, what should also be mentioned is that she upped her intake of water as well. Sometimes in our journey to fitness we tend to get away from the fundamentals and basics that ultimately will help us achieve our various goals. One of those basics that people at times overlook is the importance of consuming enough water on a daily basis.
Here are three benefits to consistently drinking water:
- Fat loss and weight management – As a personal trainer — within our first workout session — I would waste no time asking each of my clients to avoid caloric beverages. Consuming sugary, carbohydrate laden drinks is an unfairly easy way to accumulate unwanted pounds, and a waste of precious calories. According to The Harvard School of Public Health, “Strong evidence indicates that sugar-sweetened soft drinks contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.” Childhood obesity rates are at an all-time high, and diabetes continues to be among the most rapidly growing, costly diseases in the U.S. Sugar-filled sodas and soft-drinks contribute to our increasingly overweight population. Calories that come from fluid are not “free,” and should not be ignored. 4 to 5 servings of juice or soda can easily equal a day’s total caloric allotment.
- Skin, hair and nails – As we age, we lose the elasticity and suppleness in our skin and hair. Staying properly hydrated is an important factor in having the radiant, glowing skin and hair that is characteristic of a youthful appearance. With healthy and generous water consumption, dry, brittle, dull hair, skin, and nails can be replenished and restored to vitality
- Appetite suppressant – We often mistake thirst for hunger, and drinking water before meals may help you to eat less. “There is some evidence, also, that when some people’s bodies are craving water, it is read by their brains as a signal for sweets” (5 Factor Fitness, Pasternak). Filling your stomach with calorie-free fluid will also make you feel full faster, allowing you to more easily maintain portion control and nutritional balance.
Wishing you health and happiness,
HLJ
Holly Lowe Jones is a media professional, fitness expert, and ISSA-certified personal trainer. A member of the National Association for Health and Fitness, Jones is also a seasoned triathlete who competes in her spare time.
For more information, please visit her website www.hollylowejones.com.
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