on drinking hella water
A diet adjustment that I would recommend to anyone, anywhere, all the time…
DRINK HELLA WATER.
The body is supposedly 80% water. Yes, it is true that water is a major component of the human body’s composition — present in every cell, tissue and organ. However, the percentage of water in a human body can differ from person to person.
All bodies are different. All body compositions are different. The amount of water in one’s body is dependent on one’s lifestyle and nutrition. Generally, a person with an unbalanced diet who doesn’t exercise or hydrate properly will retain a lot of water while a person who exercises regularly, eats nutritiously and drinks plenty of water tends to hold less excess water.
Key word: excess.
Water is a necessary nutrient required in large amounts for our bodies to function. It goes into our muscles, brains, stomach, penis, what have you. . . excess water is any additional water retained by our bodies that is just there. A layer of water hanging out and making your body weigh more than it should.
Why do you think the readings on women’s scales shoot up during menstruation? Their bodies retain water as a part of the cycle.
Bodybuilders have specialized nutrition plans that target body fat percentage and water retention. The goal come show time is to train the body with just enough water to pump the muscles but not so much that the excess water hides the muscles.
Ever find yourself feeling hunger pains even though you just ate? Its your body telling you that you need water. Our bodies can go weeks without food but no more than five days without water. Often times we think we need to eat and reach for a convenient (ahem, unhealthy) snack when what we should be reaching for is our hipster tin water bottle with a logo of a tree or a peace sign on it.
Tell a person who never drinks water to start drinking a gallon a day and I guarantee you that person will lose weight in one week without exercise or other changes in their diet.
In 2013, the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) published data collected over three years on the consumption of water and other beverages in the United States. The study surveyed 4,766 children between the ages of 4 to 13. Results of the survey found that water only made up 25–30% of daily beverage intake among this population. What contributes to the other 70–75% of drinks consumed?
“[P]lain and flavored milk, 100% fruit juice, soda/soft drinks (regular and diet), fruit drinks, sports drinks, coffee, tea, and energy drinks.”
Think Sprite, Coca-Cola, Capri-Sun, Monster Energy Drinks, Red Bull, Snapple, Gatorade . . . . These are known as sugar sweetened beverages or drinks that contain sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup and sugar.
Unfortunately, these beverages don’t come close to having the healing power as water. They increase daily caloric intake some without providing adequate nutritional value to the human body’s functioning. What’s worse is sugar sweetened beverages increases likelihood of serious medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, a weakened immune system and heart disease if consumed in excess. (There’s that word again!)
Water, on the other hand, will help to flush the sugar right out of your body without any adverse side effects.
So you wanna change your lifestyle? Add water to your daily diet. Drink at least 16oz in the morning and sip the rest of your gallon lazily throughout the day. Careful not to drink too late into the evening or you’ll be up all night taking pee breaks in your sleep!
Cheers!
❤ eLLe
