One Simple Thing: Drink

Today I am going to tell you a very simple way to to lose a couple of pounds and prevent the mid-afternoon energy dip. And best of all, it won't cost a dime. Does this sound too good to be true? Keep reading and you'll learn how to implement this one simple change that can have a very big impact.

Drink water.  Most of us do not get enough, causing our bodies to retain fluid. That's a little bit of extra weight that you can easily lose if you just drink the proper amount consistently.

Every system in your body depends on water. If you find yourself feeling sluggish in the afternoon and reaching for a snack as a pick-me-up, choose water first and see if it doesn't significantly improve your energy level. If you can get in the habit of drinking water consistently throughout the day (and eating this way as well, but that's a topic for another time), you'll find that you can maintain consistent energy without the assistance of supplements. 

In general, try to drink eight eight-ounce glasses daily, but you'll want to adjust that for your body weight, exercise level, caffeine intake, etc. 

Do you have other water questions? Here are a few of the most common, but feel free to add your own.

What kind of water should I drink? What about those vitamin and energy waters?

The best kind you can drink is free. It's either right out of the tap or filtered if you prefer the taste. Paying for water is not kind on your wallet or the earth for that matter.

What if I don't like the taste of water?

I am always shocked when I hear this question. To me, it's like saying you don't like to eat. However, if you truly can't stand drinking water straight up, I recommend flavoring the water you drink naturally.  If you can, avoid artificially flavored drink mixes even if they're calorie-free. Instead, try sparkling water or freshly squeezed fruit juice in your water. If you want to get fancy, you can freeze certain fruits to use as ice cubes–try the sweet and sour kalamansi orange, mandarins, clementines and satsumas. If you need a convenient flavoring option, try True Lemon or True Lime, a natural flavoring option found in the grocery store.

Does coffee or soda count toward water intake?

Caffeinated coffee, soda and alcohol are dehydrating, so you should actually add a serving of water to compensate for each serving.

How do I make it convenient to drink more?

If you sit at a desk all day, it's a good idea to use the same drinking container everyday. You know exactly how much it contains and know how many refill trips you need to make to get your daily intake in. I also recommend drinking from a straw. I'm not sure why, but I find that I'll slurp down a glass of water with a straw in half the time it would take me without. 

So there you have it. Bottoms up (water only, please!) and see if you aren't a couple of pounds lighter and have a little more pep in your step by this time next week.

Elaina Smith is the owner of Studio One to One, a personal training studio offering customized fitness solutions in Milton, GA. For more information, visit www.studio-onetoone.com or call (678) 367-3619.