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MetroFYI Subjects |
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Tourism Affiliates |
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Around Town |
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Metro Parley |
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Maria Vitale Gallagher
Beaches would be
boring without it; fountains would lose their trickle and showers
would be missing their splash if it weren’t for what may be the
world’s most precious resource: glistening, refreshing water. But
what you may not realize is that water can be a dieter’s best
friend. If you find it difficult to shed a few pounds, you might
look to your faucet for some relief. Water is not just an essential
part of a healthy diet it may also be the secret to effectively lose
weight.
First, a little scientific background:
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Water Resource Center
have developed a guide for dieters interested in using water to
their best advantage. The key is to remember that the body is mostly
water It’s actually 60% H20. But it can’t live on water reserves. If
you fail to quench your thirst, your body reacts by trying to
stockpile water between its cells, adding pounds in the process. The
end result is swollen feet, legs, and hands. But when you down a few
glasses of water, the surplus is released, and the extra weight
disappears. |
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Water is also a key ingredient in burning fat.
When the water supply dries up, the kidneys cannot function
properly, and so the liver takes over. That means that the liver is
no longer free to burn as much fat as it ordinarily would. Fat that
would have been converted into energy is left to pile up on your
thighs and other choice body parts instead. By drinking more water,
you are allowing the liver to do the job it was designed to
do burning fat for fuel.
Water is also a natural when it comes to curbing
your appetite. You’ll find that if you fill up on water, you’re less
likely to reach for cookies, candies, and other calorie-rich
goodies. Your hunger will take a holiday. You’ll also be flushing
the salt out of your system, which is important, since salt can
cause the body to retain water.
You may have heard the old adage eight glasses a
day keeps hunger at bay. What you might not realize is that if you
are already overweight, you’ll need additional water. If you want to
lose weight, you’ll need to drink an extra glass of water for every
25 additional pounds. And, when shedding pounds, ice is especially
nice, since icy cold water burns up more calories than a warmer
drink. Also, don’t fool yourself into thinking that a caffeinated
cola is just as good as a glass of H20. The caffeine acts as a
diuretic and may result in water being lost.
There are additional reasons to avoid soda. A
twelve-ounce can of soda contains an average of 150 calories, thanks
to approximately ten teaspoons of sugar. A half-dozen cans of soda
would amount to 900 calories a day about half your daily calorie
allowance. Pop can also contribute to tooth decay, bone loss, heart
disease, and kidney stones. Milk and juice can be just as fattening.
On the other hand, water enhances muscle tone by
enabling muscles to contract and stopping dehydration. It also helps
to alleviate the dieter’s dilemma the sagging skin that’s a
tell-tale sign of weight loss. Water makes skin clear, healthy, and
happy.
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click here

click here
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For more specifics on water and weight loss, you
can check out the University of Minnesota’s Extension Service Water Resources Center |
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