Want to Know the Secret to Getting Lean Fast?
I knew that title would get ya? Everyone wants to know the “secret”. The quick fix, the trick that no one else knows to get into that tiny bikini in record time. The truth is and you already know this, is there is no secret. There is no quick fix, no tricks, no gimmicks (no matter how many commercials say so). You can only get to your fitness goals through proper diet and exercise and H20. Yep, that is how you will look leaner faster than anything else.
Water is an essential of the human body. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60% of water. Water is involved in almost every bodily process. When you deprive yourself of this MOST important component, your body cannot function at peak performance, your body holds onto the little water it does have, creating that wonderful “bloated look”.
It is a misconception that by consuming water you will look bloated. NOPE! NADA! Don’t believe it for a second. The opposite actually happens. When your body detects it is getting an adequate supply of water, it will in fact let go more efficiently, making you shed water weight and look leaner. This is the secret you have been waiting for.
Did you know that at just 2% dehydration, your performance declines? Now just think about that for a second, that isn’t very much at all. Water also increases metabolism (did you hear that?) It will help aid your body in shedding fat. Without an enough water, the body will use fat cells. That’s not what we want, we want the body to use our fat cells for energy.
A good guideline of how much to drink is 0.55 x your body weight. I like to aim for 80- 100 oz a day myself. Now, you don’t want to guzzle all of it at once. Your body cannot possibly hold that much water in just a few sittings. You need to drink it throughout the day. Water is best received in small amounts more frequently. (Where have you heard that before? Eating smaller meals, more frequently). Check out the color of your urine. If it is dark yellow- drink up you are dehydrated. You are aiming for pale yellow to clear for adequate hydration.
Sometimes, we think we are hungry and in reality, we are thirsty. Always start your meal with a glass of water, eat, then finish with another glass. It will fill you up, and the good news is it contains no calories!
September 29, 2009 at 9:33 am
I notice during my workouts that a lot of people bring a water bottle, but don’t start drinking their water until they’re 70-80% thru their workout (esp cardio). THAT’S too late, in order to maintain proper hydration. Hydration should start before, or at the beginning of exercise, and continue throughout.
Great post. Thanks!