6 Homemade Drinks Guaranteed to Trim Down Your Belly

By Gerald Zakeo

Putting on excess weight is considered not healthy for a wide variety of reasons, some of which include high blood pressure, diabetes, skeleton-muscle stress and the list of problems goes on. Although putting on weight is somewhat easy, shedding excess weight on the other hand does not happen automatically. In order to shed excess weight the body first needs to receive a stimulus (signal) to start burning the excess calories stored in the form of fat. In this article we are going to look at some great flat stomach drinks you can make in the comfort of your home guaranteed to trigger shedding of excess weight, particularly belly fat.

Vegetable and fruit flavoured water

Although drinking lots of water is important the body must not retain excess water either. In order to get rid of the excess water you can cut lemon slices, cucumber slices and mint. Allow these to soak in water and drink the flavoured water. The resultant water has diuretic properties which allow your body to flush out excess water through urine.

Watermelon juice

Watermelon juice in its natural form i.e. no artificial additives contains amino acids and vitamins which have anti-oxidative properties. The anti-oxidative properties of melons protect against diseases such as cancer as well as boosting the immune system. The amino acids contained in watermelon juice also promote breakdown of lipoproteins and other body stored fats.

Ice mint tea

The mint plant contains several chemicals which have anti-oxidative properties as well as accelerating basal metabolic rate. Taking ice mint tea boosts the body's energy levels, thus increasing its energy requirements even during rest. This results in the body activating stored fats in the belly region, allowing them to be burnt out to meet the body's increased energy requirements.

Pineapple frappe

Blended pineapple juice is an ideal way to begin your weight loss journey. Pineapple is rich in vitamin C which has high anti-oxidative properties. It is also a good source of copper a trace element which is part of some essential metabolic enzymes that help breakdown fat. Pineapple also contains B1 and B6 vitamins which are essential in the metabolism of fats and proteins. The high fiber content of pineapple is essential in stabilizing gastrointestinal movements i.e. get rid of accumulation of gases and allowing for smooth flow of ingested food material through the entire gastrointestinal tract. Good bowel movement is essential for successful belly fat reduction.

Green tea

Green tea is a great drink to help you shed any excess belly fat. This is so because green tea contains a good number of anti-oxidants. In addition to containing a high concentration of anti-oxidants, green tea also contains tannins. Tannins are compounds that don't have any nutritional value but they have been found to play an essential role in reducing incidences of gastric bloat as well as eliminating chances of excess fluid retention which triggers rapid weight gain.

Dark chocolate shake

Dark chocolate is essential in weight loss as it contains appetite suppressants. In addition to suppressing appetite dark chocolate also contains compounds that trigger dormant fat tissue to be broken down.

Proper Planning For Weight Loss Success

By Dan Levesque  |   Submitted On June 18, 2016

The trite, overused phrase 'if you fail to plan, you're really just planning to fail' could never be more true when it comes to executing a successful weight loss program. The most important place to start is determining how much weight you want to lose in a given time period so you can have realistic goals to shoot for. While many people have in their minds a certain amount they want to lose, it may not be possible in the amount of time they're willing to diet for. This can be figured by a calculation taken from your body fat percentage. Before starting any weight loss program, get your body fat measured by a qualified professional so you know how much fat you actually need to lose. Once you know this, you can set realistic goals and expectations. For mental and physiological health reasons, do not try dieting for longer than 12-16 weeks at a time. Depending on your muscular tone, physical conditioning, body type and several other factors, you can expect to lose 6-20 pounds of body weight in the first 3-4 weeks of any correctly designed nutrition program. Beyond this, a reasonable goal is to try to lose 2 pounds/week for the remainder of the time.

This means a realistic weight loss goal is between 30-40 pounds in a 3-4 month period. If you have 100 lbs. to lose for example, you will need more than one nutrition program to reach this goal. If you need more than one diet program, do not plan on doing one right after another as you will have diminishing returns. For large amounts of weight to lose, string several diet programs together with short breaks in between. For example, if you have to lose 100 lbs., plan on doing so with three 12 week programs spaced 10 days - 2 weeks apart. To accomplish this, take a break from low calorie eating during the down times however continue to eat the food on your diet, just in larger portions. Expect to put on 5-8 pounds in between diet plans and account for this in your overall weight loss strategy. If you need several diets like this to achieve your goals, sketch out the big plan on a one year calendar but only worry about details of each program as you're getting ready to execute it.

Once you've decided how long your program will be (or how many programs you may need), the next most important planning step is the actual diet. No matter which guru you choose to follow, the best advice is to write down your eating plan before you start. Do not start your weight loss program without a written map to follow or you will veer off the course. Whether you're eating three pre-made microwave meals plus a delicious shake, counting points with an app on your phone or following a bite by bite menu, write it down before executing. Writing down your diet menu will take all the guesswork out of what to eat, when and how much. While this step may take some time to accomplish, if your plan is correctly put together with the right foods and quantities, it will nearly guarantee your success.

For consistent weight loss, it's important you eat the same amount of calories each day. Flying by the seat of your pants and eating different foods every day can easily cause erratic calorie intake and make it harder to lose body fat. A written diet plan will ensure your calories stay consistent. This also makes it easier to raise or lower your calories as you need so you can control your weight loss. If you're eating too many calories and need to cut back, a written diet plan will help you decide which foods (and how much) to reduce. Keeping a written log of your eating will also help you stay mentally strong on your program. If you're committed to eating only the foods written on your diet plan, this will keep your mind from wandering into craving goodies that will derail your efforts. A good written plan may also serve well as an accurate shopping list. After following your written nutrition plan meticulously for a period of time, you will soon have it memorized but until you do, you should keep it by your side every time you prepare and/or eat a meal.

While dieting alone will only net a finite amount of weight loss, you will go much farther by including strenuous exercise in your program. For the greatest amount of fat weight loss, you should include both cardiovascular and strength training as part of your plan. Cardiovascular work should be done for overall physical conditioning but also fat loss. Strength training is a must to preserve lean body mass and improve muscular tone so the end result will be a smaller, more muscular body with improved fitness. Just like a healthy nutrition plan, a good strength training program should also be planned out, however the details do not have to be as meticulous. As long as your strength training program is using progressive resistance over a period of weeks, prioritize balance (so every muscle group gets worked at least 1-2 times/week) and intensity during execution. Cardiovascular training should be performed separately from resistance training if possible, however if scheduling doesn't permit this it's fine.

Plan cardio work to increase in amounts of overall time over your entire program with 30 minutes being the smallest effective period. For example, week 1, perform a total of 2 hours of cardio; week 2, do 2.5 hours; week 3 do 3 hours total, etc. Depending on your fitness level, you will ultimately reach a cumulative amount of cardio work that will be most effective for your program. For most people this is between 4 and 6 hours/week. Plan your strength training and cardio work on a monthly calendar. This way you can see how much cardio you will need to perform each week. Also use the calendar to plan other important weekly/regular events you can use as motivation to keep going. For example body fat measurements, cheat meals and of course your end date. If you don't weigh in everyday (or at least every other), schedule an official weigh in every week. Schedule body fat measurements every 2-3 weeks. Planning your weight loss program on a calendar is important so can physically see how much longer you have and also chart progress. It will also let you know of other events you may have to work around (like trips, business dinners, etc.) so you can plan in advance for them and stay on your program.

Perhaps the most important part of your diet is the start. If you start soft and half-hearted, you can expect to lose steam, fizzle out quickly and stop before you see the results you want. Plan your weight loss program at least 1-2 weeks in advance of starting. This will give your mind time to prepare for making a big change and committing to it. Several days before opening day, start getting everything ready. This includes making sure your gym membership is up to speed, you have proper apparel for all the working out you'll be doing, preparing a shopping list and buying all the food you'll need. If you have trouble with temptations, this time can also be used for getting rid of all the bad, fattening, non-diet food out of their house. Plan your weight loss program correctly ahead of time and the only thing that can derail your efforts is your will power. Anyone can lose 5-10 pounds from simply cutting out sugar, bread or soft drinks for 2-3 weeks, however real weight loss takes planning. If you have more than this to lose, take your time planning ahead and you will be sure to reach your goals!

Food and Mood: How Diet Affects Depression (Mental Health Guru)

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Can What you Eat Affect your Mood?

We all know that food makes us feel good, both physically and emotionally. The food we eat fuels our bodies but it also affects our minds. Certain foods make us feel warm and safe – think comfort food and soul food.
As I’m sure you have experienced food mood swings, as this is a two-way street. What you eat affects how you feel and how you feel affects what you eat. When stressed we tend to overeat or under eat, neither of which is healthy. Food may be an escape; we eat because it makes us feel better. Or some people find that stress makes them not want to eat at all, they are too distracted or physically feel ill.
The holiday season is pretty crazy for most of us. Making conscious choices about what we eat during this time may help us feel less stressed. So how exactly do specific foods affect our moods?

1. The power of association.
We form emotional attachments to food because we associate it with things that have happened to us. Foods that were a big part of our childhood can bring back memories of that time in our lives. The aroma of a simmering stew makes us feel like we are backing home in our mom's kitchen!
This phenomenon is especially strong during the holidays. A traditional turkey dinner at Christmas brings to mind the warmth and excitement (or any other experience) we felt as children during this time.

2. Serotonin and comforting carbohydrates.
The foods that you eat can actually change the chemical composition of your brain. This influences you are feeling, your clarity of mind and how alert you are. For example, certain elements in food are precursors to neurotransmitters which are the chemical messengers that carry information between the cells in your brain. The amount of precursor available from your food affects the amount of neurotransmitter available to your brain cells.
When it comes to mood, one important neurotransmitter is serotonin. Serotonin affects our feeling of well-being. When serotonin is low, you are more likely to feel stressed, angry or depressed.
According to Judith Wurtman, author of The Serotonin Power Diet, “Nature gave us an easy way of harnessing the power of our brain to control our appetite and mood. We don't need drugs, or supplements, herbs or pills. Just by eating the immense variety of carbs on this earth, we can lose weight, feel better, and maybe make everyone more peaceful.”
Eating carbohydrates triggers the release of insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin clears out all of the amino acids in the bloodstream except for tryptophan. In the brain, Tryptophan is converted in into serotonin. Some healthy food choices for releasing serotonin include whole wheat bread, cereals and pastas.

3. Protein makes you more alert.
During digestion, proteins are broken down into their amino acid constituents. One of these amino acids is tyrosine which increases the production of the neurotransmitters norepinepherine, dopamine and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for making us feel alert and energetic. Healthy choices include fish, poultry, lean meat and eggs.

4. Drink your coffee?
Despite its bad reputation, small amounts of caffeine have been shown to work as an antidepressant. Don't overdo it though. Experts recommend keeping the dose to one or 2 cups of coffee per day!
How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee - A great dining experience deserves great coffee.
 


5. Folic acid, selenium and fatty acids may help fight depression.

Eat your spinach and drink your orange juice to keep depression at bay. Studies have shown levels of folic acid to be lower in people who are depressed. Eating foods high in folic acid may help prevent or alleviate mild depression.

Brazil nuts, tuna, sunflower seeds and whole-grain cereals are all good sources of selenium. Studies have shown that people who have low levels of selenium are more anxious. Increasing levels of selenium helps to normalize mood.

Eat fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring as well as omega-3 eggs. The fatty acids found in these foods are important to the health of nerve and brain cell membranes. Lack of these fats in your diet may put you at higher risk for depression. Learn the story of the Pacific Coast Salmon.

 
6. Protect you memory with eggs and berries.
EGGS:  Found in high concentrations in eggs, Choline is a vitamin B complex that is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is linked to memory. Alzheimer's patients have been shown to have low levels of acetylcholine. Eating eggs and other foods rich in choline may help to ensure the availability of acetylcholine to your brain. Check this informative Egg web page on What's Cooking America. It is the main web page on how to cook eggs.



BERRIES:  Eat lots of berries. Blueberries, raspberries, and goji berries as they all contain high levels of antioxidants which help to destroy free radicals that damage cells.




7. Eating something sweet does make you feel happy.
If you have the control to stop at just one cookie, this may be the quickest way to boost your mood. Eating foods high in fat and sugar causes the brain to release endorphins which send pleasure signals throughout the body.


8. Eat chocolate to make you feel sexy.
Chocolate contains an exceptionally high amount of phenylethylamine, a stimulant associated with love and sexual attraction. This "chocolate amphetamine" affects blood pressure and blood sugar levels resulting in a feeling of excitement. It also quickens your pulse, reflecting the way someone feels when in love. Check out the interesting and informative article Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate.

Charlotte Bradley is the publisher of YogaFlavoredLife.com and an avid yoga practitioner. She was a student of karate for many years and took up yoga only tentatively after the birth of her sons and a knee injury left her looking for a less high-impact form of exercise. It was love at first pose as Charlotte saw how quickly yoga sped her rehabilitation along. She also found that yogic relaxation techniques lent her proper focus, bringing balance into her life as well as a greater appreciation for how blessed she truly is. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband and twin boys, Charlie and Patty, who keep her on her feet and on the go. Her golden retriever supervises Charlotte’s yoga workouts from a spare mat, with his eyes closed.

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Menopause and Weight Gain - Is it inevitable or can it be prevented?

Stop the Middle Age Spread!

Menopause occurs when a woman stops ovulating and her monthly period (menstruation) ceases. Menopause actually means the last menstrual period. The average age of the natural menopause is 51 years, but can occur much earlier or later. Menopause that occurs before the age of 45 is called early menopause and before the age of 40 is premature menopause.

After menopause and over a span of years (usually 10 or more), you may also see changes in your skin, such as increased dryness and wrinkling, and a change in hair texture. The vagina’s lining may become thinner, less pliable and drier. Your breasts lose some of their fullness, and your nipples become less pronounced. Bone loss also rapidly speeds up in women at menopause (even though bone loss is a natural part of aging). At this stage, women may become more susceptible to osteoporosis.

Remember, menopause is a highly individual experience; therefore, every women must approach it differently. You may recognize many of the changes described when menopause takes hold, or you may not experience any at all. It’s always a good idea, when experiencing these symptoms, to consult your health care provider.

Weight Gain:

At this time, most women (around 2/3 of women) experience weight gain or difficulty maintaining their usual weight. Most women will gain about 10 to 15 pounds during their menopausal years. You also discover that the weight gain tends to accumulate around the abdomen, rather than the hips and thighs as before menopause.  People commonly refer to this as an "apple" shape, because the stomach area becomes rounder. An extra pound before menopause will settle evenly over hips, bottom, thighs, and arms. After menopause, it all goes round the middle! Most of this weight will come on gradually – generally about a pound a year.

As you enter the early stages of menopause, maintaining weight becomes more and more difficult, and losing weight becomes almost impossible. This is because of the fluctuation in your hormones. Your body’s hormones have a direct impact on your appetite, metabolism, and fat storage. At this stage, women develop "insulin resistance" making their bodies store fat, rather than burn calories. This "insulin resistance" changes how our bodies handle the foods we eat. For example, if you ate 1,000 calories before menopause, you would burn 700 of them and store around 300. After menopause, your body will store 700 and burn only 300! This is a big difference, and the result is weight gain! Even a modest weight gain can result in a change of dress size.

Excessive weight gain could also be a sign that something is wrong with your hormone levels, blood sugars, or eating habits. Visit your doctor if your weight gain is out of control. Excessive fat stored around the abdomen can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, and high cholesterol.

 

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The daily changes you make now can yield important benefits for decades to come.

Here are a few tips to help you:

Reduce calories. Menopausal women need fewer calories to maintain former body weight. It may be necessary to cut calorie intake by 10 to 15 percent while at the same time increasing level of activity or exercise. If women don't reduce their calorie intake, they are over eating. Calories needs are the highest during the mid-20s. The daily calorie needs, as women age, then reduce at about 2% to 4% for every 10 years added. Eat a balanced diet. Avoid refined sugars and indulge in fruits and vegetables. Choose foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Fat intake should be less than 30 percent of daily calorie intake. Women of all ages should consume 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Check out my Food Nutritional Value Chart and Diet Recipe Index.

Portion Control. Eat slowly and practice portion control - this does not mean you have to eliminate your favorite foods. Just eat smaller quantities. Check outMaking Sense of Portion Sizes - Portion Control Secrets.

Avoid crash or fad diets. Starvation will only cause your metabolism to slow down, causing you to gain more weight later on. Fad diets simply don’t work — over 95% of dieters gain back the weight they lose and more.

Maintain adequate intake of water:  So many of the bodily functions rely on the body being adequately hydrated. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses daily is ideal. Check outWater - The Fountain of Youth! New studies say that you can drink tea and coffee as part of your daily water requirements. A couple of cups a day are fine as part of your water intake. We are talking about black coffee, not coffee house drinks. Learn about Coffee Drink Calories.

Don’t lose large amounts of weight. There is a balance between being too thin and just right. Being very thin can lead to an increased chance of developing osteoporosis. Determine Your Body Mass Index (BMI).

Increase your physical activity. Exercise becomes particularly important as a woman ages. Regular exercise benefits the heart and bones, helps regulate weight, and can be a mood enhancer, creating a better sense of well-being. Women who are physically inactive are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Weight loss still requires that you burn more calories each day than you take in. Do aerobics to increase your metabolism and burn fat. Do weight bearing activities such as walking and cycling to increase muscle mass and ward off osteoporosis. When women diet to lose weight after menopause, they will not be able to continue to lose weight unless exercise is added to the daily routine. Exercise prevents the decrease in metabolism that occurs when women diet without exercising. But, you must exercise consistently, preferably daily. Start with 5 minutes of walking each day and work to gradually increase the duration of whatever exercise you are doing. Work to increase your exercise time to 30 minutes daily. Check out What About Exercise? Calories Burned Per Minute of Exercise By Weight.

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Toxic Cookware - Beware! by Dr. Linda Posch MS SLP ND

Toxic Cookware - Beware!

Since its debut, Teflon coated cookware has increased in popularity in kitchens worldwide. With good reason - this handy non-stick coating is simply a dream. Easy to cook on and easy to clean!

Teflon has literally revolutionized the manufacture of cookware. Even the worst of kitchen disasters cleans up in a jiffy when cooking on Teflon. One would be hard pressed to find any kitchen that did not have at least one Teflon coated piece of cookware. Teflon has become the way of the world.

Like many scientific breakthroughs, Teflon was accidentally discovered over 70 years ago by a scientist employed by DuPont. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserts that DuPont has purposely withheld health hazardous information regarding Teflon since the early 1980’s. Peflourooanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical used to produce Teflon, has been appearing in blood samples of people world wide. DuPont, slapped with approximately 300 million dollars in fines, has agreed to pay a 108 million dollar lawsuit brought about by residents near one of its company plants as elevated levels of PFOA’s have been found in surrounding drinking water supplies.

According to risk assessments by the EPA, PFOA’s present significant developmental and reproductive risks in humans with the use of Teflon:

An increased rate of birth defects has been found in mothers working at DuPont. The company’s response was to move female employees to other sections of the plant in an effort to reduce their exposure to PFOA’s.

The chemical coating that we have all come to benignly cook on is also used in fire fighting foam and phone cables. 

Variants of FPOA’s are used to make the coating on stain resistant carpets and flame retardants for clothing and computers.

Teflon can also be found in nail polish removers, eyeglasses, and as lining in pizza boxes.

PFOA’s do not break down in the environment anytime soon, causing forever pollution. According to Tim Kropp, a toxicologist with the Environmental Working Group, if all future exposure is cut off, it would take the body at least 20 years to detoxify Teflon chemicals. Finally, the EPA has recommended that PFOA be classified as a human carcinogen.

Be advised that Teflon is the trade name for a line of cookware. Other lines of non stick cookware that use the Teflon coating includes Greblon, Silverstone, Supra, and Excaliber. This is not a comprehensive list. Check before you buy.

Careful as we try to be, it inevitable that our Teflon pots and pans will endure scratches at some point. In fact, many are certain to have an old, bruised, battered, and scratched Teflon pan that has been part of the kitchen arsenal for years and years. Hardly a utensil that should be used for cooking. A utensil that delivers a dangerous toxic load with each meal it helps prepare. Given the fact that Teflon is typically used to cover aluminum pots and pans, we are experiencing yet a double chemical assault as explained below.

The bottom line - Teflon and its associated by-products are dangerous and pose a significant health hazard to all.

Other Cookware:

Aluminum Cookware - Aluminum cookware is not desirable due to the Alzheimer’s and aluminum toxicity connection.

If you will notice, your aluminum foil has a dull side and a shiny side. The dull side is a protective coating that separates the aluminum foil from contact with your food. The shiny side is unprotected. Thus, the dull side should always surround food items.

On the toxic cookware page [1] you have a statement about aluminum foil that says the dull side of the foil contains a coating and that side should surround food items. This is wrong. The dull and shinny sides are due to the manufacturing process where in the last pass in making the foil thinner, where two sheets of foil are passed between 2 rollers to make them thinner. The sides that touch the rollers become shinny and the sides in the middle of the 2 sheets become the dull side. There is no protection coating.

However, there are some aluminum foils that are considered non stick which do have a coating that is placed between the 2 sheets on the final pass between the rollers. In this type of foil, the coating would be on the dull side and is intended to go against the food. Now I have no idea if this coating is safe or would be safer than the aluminum itself as I could not find out what chemicals are involved in that process. Reynolds says it's a "proprietary food-safe coating" [2] but I will not trust the manufacture if it is not willing to disclose the chemicals involved.- from John M. Camary (10/12/15)

Canned Goods - Have an interior dull wax coating in an effort to keep food and aluminum separated from one another. Chewing gum wrappers are protected with a paper coating preventing contact with gum.

Glass Cookware - Older glass cookware sets come with a lead toxicity problem. However, improvements in manufacturing the past 10 years have eliminated this issue. Newer glass cookware is perfectly acceptable.

Ceramic Coated Cast-Iron Cookware - Ceramic coated cast iron or stoneware has proven benign as well.

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Water - The Fountain of Youth!

For thousands of years, people of all countries have been seeking a mythical fountain of youth. If I told you that there is something that will give you beautiful glowing skin, diminish those fine lines and wrinkles, increase your energy level, and help your overall health, I bet you would listen and be interested. All the time, this fountain of youth has been right here in our everyday life. Yes, the fountain of youth is water! I'm sure you have heard it many times "Drink more water, it's good for you!" If, up to now, you have never taken this seriously, please start now! You do not need fancy and expensive mineral waters or bottled waters, as good clear clean water is what your body needs. Although water contain no nutrients, it is essential to life and for the growth and maintenance of our bodies. So, forget soft drinks, coffees, teas, sport drinks, elixirs, or cappuccinos, as drinking water is the key to being healthier and living longer. Did You Know: Your blood is 83% water, muscles are 75% water, your brain is 74% water, and your bone are 22% water. Also 2/3 of our body weight is water. All of this water is needed by our bodies, and a 1% loss of our body weight due to fluid loss can cause dehydration which can lead to serious medical complications. As we are constantly losing water from our body by sweating or urinating, we need to put the water back in your system. When you drink enough water to maintain good health, you are providing enough water to keep your internal organs and systems running smoothly. If you don't drink enough water, you will begin to feel tired and weak. Many people blame their loss of energy on everything except dehydration. Your lungs expel between 2 and 4 cups of water each day through normal breathing. If you make half a dozen trips to the bathroom during the day, that's another 6 cups of water. If you perspire, you expel about 2 cups of water (which doesn't include exercise-induced perspiration). Think about what happens when you forget to water your plants. The plants begin to droop and then become dry and brittle. Watering the plant may bring it back, but it will likely have some damaged leaves. Water works the same with people. The body uses water for every basic process from transporting nutrients throughout the body to maintaining body temperature. Water is vital in order for our bodies to keep functioning, as it lubricates your eyes and joints, flushes out toxins and waste, and keeps our skin healthy and beautiful. Our bodies can last weeks, even months without food but only a number of days without water. Water, besides oxygen is the second most important element to survival. Plus 25% of oxygen comes from water. Water is the fuel of our body and our organs. Just like a car can't drive without gas or oil, our body can't function without water. Perspiration is the bodies natural mechanism to control body temperature. To sweat properly you need plenty of water. Water reduces body temperature making exercising safer and more effective. Beauty: Water is the best beauty treatment. By drinking water, you moisture your skin from within or the inside out. As our skin is composed of approximately 20% water, it will wrinkle faster without adequate moisture. Just like the plant, when skin loses moisture, it gets dry. Dry skin shows wrinkles more and causes skin to sag faster than it would normally. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, will plump up nicely when the skin cells are hydrated. Hydrated skin looks younger as it is plumper. Also, spritzing your face with some water is great for a little pick me up. Losing Weight:  Water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off! Water also works as an appetite suppressant. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. When your drink all the water your body needs, you will quickly notice a decrease in your appetite. If you are serious about losing weight, drinking water is an absolute must! Drink a glass of cold water when you start to feel hungry, as people often confuse mild feeling of thirst with mild hunger. Researchers report that water helps to lose weight by boosting your metabolism rate, thus paving way for quick weight loss. Try drinking a glass of water 15 minutes before each meal. Fluid Retention:  Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released. Lack of hydration in the body can cause backaches, as the muscles in the body do not perform properly unless the body has sufficient water intake. One of the most common causes of headaches is lack of proper hydration. In most cases, simply drinking a couple of cups of water and relaxing for 20 minutes will stop the pain. Digestive System:  Drinking even the minimum amount requirements of water during the day will help keep your colon healthy and reduce the risk of colon cancer, because water helps the digestive system operate the way it is meant to operate. One study found that women who drank more than 5 glasses of water a day had a risk of colon cancer 45% less than those that drank less than two.  Checking dehydration: Important:  Many people are dehydrated without even knowing it. You are probably asking, “How do I tell if I am dehydrated?” The easiest way is to check out the color of your urine. Your urine should be a pale color (clear to light yellow). If it is any darker than the color of straw, you are probably not drinking enough water daily. NOTE: Bright yellow urine could also occur if you are taking vitamins that contain riboflavin. If you feel thirsty, you are probably dehydrated. Other symptoms of dehydration include headaches, loss of concentration, tiredness, and dry eyes and skin. You need to continually drink water throughout the day, rather than when you body cries out for liquid. If you are thirsty, you have allowed yourself to become dehydrated. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink water - drink it during the day! Dehydration also gives you false hunger feelings so it is very common to misread what is thirst and what is hunger. Dangers of too much water - Overhydration can be hazardous, even lethal:  There are dangers from drinking too much water. According to the article, "Hydration for summer exercise", July 2008 issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch, drinking 3 or 4 quarts of water in a few hours can lead to water intoxication and hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels), brain swelling, and even death. This happen because to much water dilutes the sodium and other electrolytes found in the body to a point where normal body function (particularly brain functions) are adversely affect. Diabetes:  If you feel like your thirst in unquenchable, this could be a sign of diabetes, as many people do not realize that insatiable thirst is part of the diabetes profile. The thirst could be a clue that further testing is needed, and you should consult your doctor. How much water to drink daily:  Now that I have hopefully convinced you of the benefits of drinking water for your skin and health, how much should your drink a day? The Mayo Clinic suggests using "8x8" as a guideline (see guideline below): 8 glasses (8 ounces each) = a minimum of 64 ounces of fluid (water) daily You may need even more as exercising, hot weather, offices with exposure to central heating, air conditioning, and electrical equipment all cause your body to lose water. So remember, increased water output requires increased water input. You can count milk, juice, and other healthy beverages as part of your daily fluid total, but make sure that most of your daily fluid input is pure, clear water. The overweight person needs more water than a thin one. The new rule for drinking water is to divide your weight by 2 equals the amount in ounces of water that your body needs per day (see example below). The more overweight you are, the more water your body needs daily. 160 pounds divided by 2 = 80 ounces The water you drink should preferably be cold, as cold water is absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. Some evidence suggests that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. How to increase daily water intake: Drinking enough water during the day is very easy to do. Just make a few little changes in your habits, such as keeping a full bottle of water with you at all times, and also substituted water for soda, coffee, or juice. Alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and cola don't count in your fluid intake as they have a diuretic effect that may deplete your body's water supply. The sugars, coloring, and artificial flavoring in soda dramatically adds calories and helps you gain weight. Make a conscious effort to always have water with your at all times - in the car, at your desk, in your purse, etc. Sip your water to allow your body to absorb it slowly. Gulping water will only make your feel bloated. Your water consumption should be spread out throughout the day. It is not healthy to drink too much water at one time. For sleeping comfort, it is probably a good idea to stop drinking water 3 hours before bedtime. I think you know why!   Do you think water is yucky? Drinking other fluids will certainly help hydrate your body, the the extra calories, sugar, and additives are not needed. Try a slice of lemon or lime in the glass. You can also use flavored waters, but just make sure you read the labels first.   Water is the Fountain of Youth no mater how old you are! source