I feel like this topic is well-trodden ground, but it’s hype induced articles such as the one posted in the news this morning that caught my attention.
It offers no new information but instead applies simple logic to the calories in vs calories out equation.
The crux of the article is basically stating that you can pre-fill your stomach with a couple of glasses of water before every meal, therefore hindering your ability to eat more than you should.
Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll potentially lose 2.3kgs.
Wow, that’s f*&king outstanding information
Such studies are up there with the one to figure out why Derek Zoolander can’t turn right aswell as the study on figuring out why Kevin Bacon reveals his twig-and-berries in every movie he stars in.
Is drinking more water the key to weight loss?
Ok, here’s the thing—common sense prevails with the above said article, but when it comes to putting it into practise, how much water should we be drinking each day to help us lose weight?
First, the sciencey bit
The human body is a wonderfully adaptable animal and will largely hold onto it’s reserves when deprived of certain nutrients.
Water is one of them.
I should be drinking 100′s of litres per day right?
Not exactly. Like i’ve said in previous posts it’s a cumulative affect of many variables that will reduce your spare-tyre.
This is a slightly different story when you are down to low, low body fat levels and are trying to shed that last little bit of ‘subcutaneous fluid’.
This bunny is here because photos of water aren't quite as cool.
Subcutaneous fluid?
This is fluid that is located under your skin and is caused by water molecules bonding onto sodium ions.
Basically, water retention is caused from excess sodium (salt) intake.
When you’re ready to lose that last little bit of flab, maybe it’s time to limit your intake of bacon, potato chips and other salty products.
Drink when you’re thirsty
The current myth is that when you’re thirsty, it’s too late and you’re already dehydrated.
Here is a study showing that people who waited until they were thirsty to drink water, remained just as hydrated as people who drank gallons of the stuff on a set schedule: Body Fluid Changes, Thirst and Drinking in Man During Free Access to Water
You don’t need to be too strict
Drink a few litres a day, but if you’re finding the need to go to the bathroom every 30mins, perhaps you should be cutting back just a little.
Remember to listen to your body as it will tell you when you’re thirsty. No need to go overboard.
I’m losing weight by drinking more, are you saying to stop?
By no means. If by drinking more water is preventing you from reaching for the cookie jar, then by all means keep it up!
It’s all about finding methods that work for you, and not paying attention to too many news stories.
Editor’s note: How much water do you drink? Do you find it helps lowering bodyfat when you increase it? Comment below.
Comments(7)
I drink a lot of water, but that’s because I really don’t drink any other fluids (no coffee, soda, etc.). I think most people get all the fluids they need. We forget that some foods, like fruit, can have a hydrating effect as well.
I certainly used to overdo it with water. For years, I would never leave the house without a liter of water at the ready. I’ve definitely eased up recently, just drinking water when I’m thirsty.
Clint,
I drink up to a gallon of water per day, but that includes the water I drink after hours of soccer or working out in the Florida heat (which is usually a lot). I don’t deliberatly try to drink a lot, it just usually works out that way. For the most part, I drink when I’m thirsty like Darrin. I’m not sure if it makes a huge difference in body fat either way. Although I do believe you should increase water intake while performing plenty of intense cardio to “sweat out” that last bit of subcutaneous fluid when you are trying to go from lean to super lean.
Alykhan
Another thing some folks don’t realize is that cold water is actually calorically expensive. The body needs to heat it up to use it, and this burns calories (about 70 cal per 8oz. glass).
But I also believe that you can overhydrate. When you pee, it is cleaning out your body. If it’s just clear, it isn’t going to do it’s job. So at that point, back off the water a bit. Cheers.
While we’re on the subject of drinking water, does anyone remember that woman who died a couple years ago trying to win a Nintendo Wii?
The contest was “no Wee for a Wii”, and the winner was the person who could drink the most water without peeing. She won, and unfortunately, she also died of “water intoxication.”
Pretty ridiculous, and not quite relevant to this post, but anyways…
I had a friend who was a bit OCD about drinking water, constantly worried about being dehydrated. She had some blood work done which revealed that she had very low concentrations of several essential minerals, so the doctor told her to drink LESS water.
A couple months later, after following the doctor’s advice, she had more blood work done. Voila! Her mineral levels were completely back to normal.
So yeah, if you’re thirsty, drink. The body seems to let us know what’s best.
@Dave
That’s exactly right — fruit and veg as a crapload of water in it which adds to the hydration effect™
@Darrin
I was much the same. Always carrying water with me. It wasn’t until I stopped doing it (as a test) that i discovered the difference it was making was so minimal.
@Alykhan
My point exactly. Those that require shedding the last bit of ‘subcutaneous fat’ are probably in the area of 1% of people who train. The rest of the mere mortals need only follow, as you say, what their body is telling them to do — drink water only as necessary.
@Josh
I’d argue that it’s probably LESS than the 70 calories that you mentioned based on varying degrees of water temperature. Good point on the cleansing part though — it’s very easy to overdo it.
@Ian
I remember the comp. It was a real eye-opener for me to discover the affects of ‘water intoxication’ were in fact NOT A MYTH!
[...] Keep the water levels high, but don’t go overboard. As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, don’t drink to excess especially around meal times. Water intake at meal times, will [...]