Drink Water for Weight Loss

By WLR Staff, by Pat Wilson

You want your body full of energy and performing at its best to help your weight loss goals. Drinking water is the answer...

Drinking water helps weight loss by speeding up your metabolism, especially very cold water, and curbing your appetite. You'll also notice less bloating once your body realises it doesn't have to retain water, once you start drinking enough. Try 6-8 glasses a day..

The health benefits of drinking water

• No Calories in Water
• Can curb your appetite
• Kind to teeth
• Improves concentration
• Keeps your skin hydrated and looking younger, fresh and more vibrant.
• Can alleviate constipation
• A simple and effective treatment for heartburn.
• Can reduce the risk of kidney stones
• Promotes a general feeling of wellbeing
• Drinking cold water - Your body can burn a few calories to heat the water up to body temperature

Drinking more water

• Plan to have water with you wherever you are throughout your day. Buy a water bottle or fill up on handy-sized bottled water at the supermarkets.
• Make a conscious decision to drink water when you are feeling thirsty instead of any other drink. Water may not be as tasty but it is free and benefits your health.
• Drink a glass of water when you first get up – it will wake you up!
• Keep water on your desk or in your workplace – make sure it is in front of you! Drink water every hour.
• Drink water before, during and after exercise.

• Drink water when you get home, whilst you are doing jobs or sitting watching TV.
• Drink water whilst making dinner and ensure there is a jug of water on the table during dinner.

How much water?

The aim is to drink 2 litres of water a day – 6-8 glasses.

Keep a record of your daily water intake in your food diary. Seeing the tally should motivate you to ensure you are meeting the required daily intake.

Food Diary
Nutrition Summary	0
Calories (kcal)	0
Protein (g)	0
Carbohydrate (g)	0
Fat (g)	0
Fibre (g)	0
Fruit & Veg	0
Water (litres)	0

Make drinking water a healthy habit to adopt.

Drinking tap water instead of drinks, which can be
high in calories, will help you control your weight.

1 Glass/200ml	Calories (kcal)
Water	0
Cola, Average	82
Blackcurrant Cordial	22
Bitter Lemon	68
Orange Juice, Pure	87

If you are struggling to drink tap water add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavour. Watch out for the calories in flavoured water.

Not drinking enough water?

If you don’t drink enough water everyday you could suffer with any of the following:

• Dry and itchy skin
• Constipation
• Dry coughs and sneezing
• Headaches
• Urinary tract infections

Members Comments

‘Drink lots of water, at least 2 litres a day - it's important to keep your body properly hydrated if you expect it to work properly. That way it will cope with the other changes you are making so much better.’ WLR’s SMTFHW Weight Loss 5st 8lbs - Stella

Drink lots of water – this initially is a pain as you run to the loo every 20 mins! However think of all that extra exercise you are getting by getting up out of your seat to go! I find my skin is much nicer now I drink lots of water. I don’t always manage 2L a day like I should, but I have experimented for a 1 week period by drinking 2L every single day – and I lost more than 3lbs that week. I know if I want a good loss on a particular week, I have to drink loads of water! WLR’s MichelleSki Weight Loss 1st 9lbs - Michelle

Water is your friend – I drink 3-4 litres (yes three to four litres!) a day. Sometimes I put a bit of lemon squash in a 750ml bottle of water. Taste great and is still 99% water. WLR’s Gareth Weight Loss 6st 11lbs - Gareth