Do you drink enough water? If you’re like most adults in the U.S., the answer is probably, “no.”
Drinking sufficient water can help you look and feel your best. It’s great for your skin, your hair, and your overall health. Sufficient water intake can also help you lose those stubborn extra pounds.
Yes, you read that correctly. Drinking water is great for weight loss!
Read on to learn more about drinking water to lose weight and how you can make sure you’re drinking enough.
Benefits of Water for Weight Loss
How could something as simple as drinking more water help you to lose weight?
There are actually lots of ways that adequate water consumption can help you along on your weight loss journey. Some specific benefits of drinking water for weight loss include:
- Water is a natural appetite suppressant and can help you avoid overeating
- Adequate water consumption can increase your metabolism and allow you to burn more calories
- Water helps to remove waste from the body and can help you avoid feeling bloated or constipated
- Water helps you stay energized and feel your best during your workouts
Drinking water can also help you avoid drinking other, calorie-laden drinks like sodas and sugary coffees.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
Okay, you’re convinced that drinking more water is a good idea. But, how much water should you be drinking each day?
Everyone’s personal needs are different, so you might need a little more or less water than your friend or partner in order to feel your best.
As a general rule of thumb, though, it’s a good idea to drink at least half your body weight in ounces each day. So, for example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 ounces of water each day.
It’s especially important to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water first thing in the morning (you’re dehydrated when you wake up after being asleep for eight hours) and before, during, and after your workouts.
Tips for Drinking Water to Lose Weight
Drinking plenty of water is good for you and all, but how do you make sure you’re getting all of that water in each day? Do you need to be one of those gym bros who carries around a gallon milk jug full of water?
Not necessarily. There are lots of ways that you can make sure you’re drinking enough water. Start by giving these tips a try:
Add Natural Flavor
Is plain old water just not appealing to you? If you don’t enjoy plain water, try adding natural flavor with sliced fruit.
You can add lemons, strawberries, blueberries, cucumbers, limes, or any other fruit to add a little natural sweetness. Some people also like to add fresh herbs like mint or rosemary to their water to make it extra fancy.
Pair Drinking Water with Another Activity
If you find yourself forgetting to drink water, try pairing it with another activity. For example, after every bathroom break, you might want to drink a half a glass of water.
It might take some effort to remember at the beginning. But, after a while, it’ll become second nature and you’ll naturally pair the two activities.
Use an App
There are actually apps out there that you can use to log your water intake. You can set a goal for yourself within the app, too. Then, if you’re behind for the day, you’ll get a little digital reminder.
Dilute Sugary Drinks
You don’t have to give up sweet drinks like lemonade or juice altogether. But, try diluting them with water instead of drinking them plain. You’ll still get the flavor you enjoy, but with more water and less sugar (and fewer calories).
Drink Sparkling Water
If soda is your kryptonite, try swapping it out for sparkling water instead.
There are lots of naturally flavored sparkling waters that taste great and will keep you hydrated.
These are a great soda alternative, especially if you just find yourself craving something carbonated throughout the day.
Eat Water-Rich Foods
Did you know that you can actually eat your water? Certain fruits and vegetables are rich in water and can help you reach your hydration goals.
Some of the best water-rich foods to add to your diet include cucumbers, zucchini, grapefruit, and watermelon. These foods are also rich in other micronutrients that are great for your health and weight loss efforts.
Drink Herbal Tea
Prefer warm drinks? Start brewing up some herbal tea! Herbal tea is perfect for those who want a flavored drink but don’t necessarily want something cold.
Herbal tea is also great for when you want something warm and comforting before bed. It will keep you hydrated and help you relax.
Drink Through a (Reusable) Straw
Sometimes people don’t drink as much water as they should because it’s simply not convenient for them. If you’re always on the go and need to make drinking water easier, try drinking through a straw.
Just be sure to invest in a reusable glass or stainless steel straw. That way, you’re not contributing to the pollution problem.
Reward Yourself
Finally, if nothing else seems to be working, it doesn’t hurt to try a little good old-fashioned bribery.
If you meet our water consumption goal for a week or a month, give yourself a little reward like a coffee from your favorite coffee shop or a trip to your favorite bookstore.
Looking for More Weight Loss Tips?
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to start drinking water to lose weight. Do you need more help optimizing your diet, though?
If you’re still struggling to lose weight after increasing your water intake, there might some other issues with your diet and workout regimen that you need to address.
Need help figuring out what to do next? We’ve got you covered with the Get Healthy section of our website.
It’s full of great articles on health, fitness, and weight loss. This weight loss guide is a great starting point!