The one thing that I spend the most time talking with clients about is water. Almost every intake I do results in a conversation about the importance of water. We tend to take water for granted and can forget how critical it is for good health. I like to remind people that you are 80% water, not 80% soda, coffee, energy drinks, etc.
Why is water important?
- Water is critical (let me emphasize CRITICAL here) for cellular and metabolic functions.
- Water is needed to dissolve and transport water-soluble vitamins like all of the B vitamins and vitamin C.
- Water conducts electricity – including nerve impulses that communicate between your cells and your brain etc.
- Water keeps the blood fluid so it can transport nutrients, oxygen, and cellular waste through the body.
Signs of dehydration:
- Low energy level
- Constipation – firm bowel movements and/0r less than one bowel movement per day.
- Inflammation
- Weakened immune system
- Brain fog
You are 80% Water
How much water should I drink?
- The rule of thumb is half your body weight (in ounces) of water per day. So if you weigh 150 lbs, you would need approximately 75 ounces of water per day. More if you are lactating or sweating.
Water math:
- 150 lbs. person (suggested 75 ounces of water per day)
- 80% water
- = 120 lbs. of water in a 150 lbs. person
- = 14.37 gallons of water in a 150 lbs. person
- If you drink a gallon of water per day (128 ounces – significantly more than the rule of thumb) you will give each of your cells a bath about once every two weeks.
- If you drink the suggested 75 ounces of water per day, your cells will get a bath about once per month.
- When was the last time your cells had a bath?
Not everything wet counts as water. In fact, theonlything I consider to be an OK water substitute is caffeine-free, all natural herbal tea. Caffeine is a diuretic which means it makes you pee; therefore taking wateroutof the body – so for every caffeinated beverage you have, you need double that volume in additional water. I consider caffeinated drinks to be anti-water because they actually dehydrate you. High-sugar drinks like soda, punch, and fruit juices do not count either.
Coffee = Anti-Water
Anti-Water
- Coffee
- Energy Drinks
- Caffeinated Soda
- Iced Tea
- Caffeinated tea
If there is one single, solitary thing that you can do each day to support your health, it’s drinking water. Start your day with a pint glass of water to get your body detoxifying. Continue to drink at least 5 ounces of water every hour you are awake. Your urine should be clear – not yellow. You can use that as an indicator of proper hydration. (If you are taking B vitamins, you may temporarily have bright yellow urine.) Countless clients have told me that since they increased their water intake and decreased their anti-water intake, their health and energy levels improved dramatically. How simple can it get?