Summer in Arizona is HOT. Okay, maybe that’s not breaking news, but we have a point. You’ve probably heard a lot about how important it is to drink water to stay hydrated during the summer months, but did you know that water is a crucial part of your weight loss plan, too?
A lot of people focus on what they’re eating (which is also important), but water often takes a backseat, especially when it comes to shedding pounds. But we want to make sure you know that not getting enough water can directly work against your weight loss efforts.
How much water should you be drinking every day? The question sounds simple enough, but it’s actually kind of complex. Over the years, various studies have revealed different recommendations, and it turns out that no single amount is right for everyone. How much water you should be drinking each day depends on a variety of factors, including your activity level, your climate and your size.
Why is Drinking Enough Water Important?
Before we talk about how much you should be drinking, it helps to know exactly why getting enough water is important. About 60 percent of the weight of your body is water, and every one of your body systems depends on it to thrive. It helps deliver nutrients to your cells, eliminate toxins from your blood and keep your nose, ears and throat healthy and moist.
But water also helps boosts your metabolism and acts as an appetite suppressant. In fact, some studies show that drinking a glass of water about 30 minutes before a meal can help fill your stomach up a little bit so that you don’t eat as much. Other studies show that people often mistaken thirst for hunger. So if you’re dehydrated and thirsty, you’re more likely to overeat thinking that you’re hungry, when you really just need a glass of water.
When you don’t get enough water, your body has a hard time performing its normal functions, and your metabolism suffers. Dehydration can also cause fatigue and lack of energy, which makes it difficult to get through your workouts. And even if you’re going through the motions of exercise, you’re probably not going to be able to put in your best effort.
How Much Do You Really Need?
We wish we could give you a clear cut answer on this, but the truth is: it depends. Your individual water needs vary on your location, activity level and your overall health. In the Arizona summer months, your needs are likely even higher, since it’s hot and you’re probably sweating more.
Your body is constantly using water and losing it through sweat, bowel movements, urine and your breath; and the goal is to replace all the water that’s lost so your body has what it needs at all times.
If you live in a hot, humid area or have a high activity level, you should consume more water each day. The same is true if you’re trying to lose weight.
A general rule of thumb is to aim to drink at least half of your body weight in ounces. That means if you weigh 200 pounds, you should drink 100 ounces of water daily. If you weigh 250 pounds, that number goes up to 125 ounces per day. Of course, you may need to adjust this amount even on a day-to-day basis.
Some days you might. be doing more intense workouts and need more water. Other days, you might be inside in the air conditioner and need less. Try to listen to your body. Notice if you’re thirsty or feeling fatigued. If you are, you probably need more water.
Getting the right amount of water every day can help you look and feel your best, and staying hydrated is an important part of reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. To learn more about weight loss, contact us at any one of our locations!
