More than 70% of your body is made up of water. Water keeps your body at the right temperature and it carries nutrients to the cells. In addition, water is important for protecting your organs and tissues. That is why it is important to keep "hydrated" (hydrated comes from the Greek word "hydro" that means water).
There are a variety of reasons to drink plenty of water each day. Adequate water intake prevents dehydration, cleans out the body, and promotes healing processes. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. At 1st determine how much water you need. You've probably heard the "8 X 8" rule--drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day--but the amount of water a person needs varies depending on his or her weight and activity level. A better way to determine your recommended water intake is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day.
If you find that you're drinking less than the recommended quantity, ask your husband and kids about the importance of water and try to maintain them some of the following tips:
*Make a bet with a co-worker to see who can drink more water in the course of a day. Carry water with you everywhere you go in a bottle or other container. Before long, you'll find yourself reaching for it without a second thought.
*Keep a glass or cup of water next to you whenever you'll be sitting down for a long time
*Try wearing a digital watch that beeps at the beginning of each hour. Use that as a reminder to pour yourself a glass of water. you may find that tap water leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
*If you really can't stand the taste of your water, try adding a tiny bit of fruit juice or a squeeze of lemon or lime--just enough to slightly change the taste. Refrigerating your water may also help make it more palatable. If you don't like the taste of water try hot water. It's a different taste and it feels good on your throat.
*Have a big glass of water at every transitional point of the day. Drinking a full glass of water first thing in the morning helps wake the body up. So kick-start your day with water.
*Water helps you look good. By flushing out toxins and impurities, water can make your skin clearer, smoother and younger looking.
*Drinking water helps you control hunger. Drink a large glass of ice water 20 minutes before meals. The cold causes your stomach to shrink somewhat, which will make you feel full more rapidly.
*Drink two full glasses at each meal, one before and one after. Also, drink one glass before each snack so you don't eat as much.
*When you have a junk-food craving, down a glass of water immediately. You feel full quickly and avoid the calories, and it lets time pass till the craving fades.
*Try getting a really fun water bottle that you enjoy having around; it makes drinking water more fun
*It has recently been proven that tea is as good as or even healthier than water and can extend one's life by a few years.
