Our bodies are made up predominantly of water, so it is essential to keep your stocks up to support a healthy functioning body. If your body is dehydrated it doesn’t work efficiently. To burn calories, your body needs water.
So it goes without saying that a lack of water intake makes the weight loss process slow down.
Drinking water helps to improve your digestion too, as it helps to rid the body of toxins and waste. If you don’t have enough water in your system, it makes it very hard for your insides to function at their peak levels required for weight loss.
When you are dehydrated you can feel unwell, dizzy, nauseous, cranky and very tired. Not a great state to be in when you have kids to look after!
So to make sure that you are taking in enough of the good stuff, here are:
5 tips for ways that you can increase your water intake throughout the day.
1. Drink herbal tea and sparkling water too
Drinks such as these do count towards your water intake. It’s the drinks with caffeine, sugar, sweeteners and other additives that don’t.
So up your intake of green tea or peppermint tea throughout the day, and stock up on some nice relaxation teas for the evening.
Sparkling water can feel like a treat when you have cut down on drinking regular soft drink. Add a splash of lemon juice for extra flavour.
2. Keep a water bottle with you at all times
As a mum how many times have you packed the bag for the kids and forgotten to pack your own jumper, hat, water and snacks? We need to remember that our needs are important too.
So grab yourself a nice water bottle that fits in your bag and take it with you wherever you go. Seeing the bottle there is a visual reminder to sip it throughout the day.
You can also fill it up before bed so that it’s ready for you to have a big drink when you first wake up in the morning.
3. Choose fruits and vegetables with a high water content
Many of our favourite fruits and vegetables are mostly made of water. For instance a tomato is around 94% water, while a grapefruit is around 91%.
Not sure what other ones you should choose? Think fruits such as watermelon, pineapple, rockmelon, apples, tomatoes, peaches, and strawberries.
And vegetables such as cucumber, radish, zucchini, cabbage, lettuce, and celery.
4. Have a glass of water before meals
This has been shown to encourage you to eat less at your mealtime, as your stomach already senses that it has something in it.
In the same way, having a drink when you think you are hungry (or in the middle of a craving) can sometimes get rid of the hunger. We often confuse dehydration with hunger.
5. Make the water more fun
Adding things like fruit or chopped cucumber and mint, or a squeeze of fresh lemon, orange or lime.
Freeze the bottle overnight if you prefer your water icy cold.
Find triggers that remind you to drink a glass of water. For instance whenever you are about to leave the house, have a drink. As soon as you get in the door, have a drink.
You can also set a daily reminder on your phone to grab some water if you find that this helps. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re drinking enough water, we have 8 questions to help you find out.
