Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here is why.... The kidneys can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped into the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. But, if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result as the liver metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored in the body and weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold onto every drop. Water is stored in the extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus, the condition returns quickly.

The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs--plenty of water. Only then, will stored water be released. Watch excess salt if you have a continual problem with water retention.

The overweight person NEEDS to drink MORE WATER than a thin person to lose excess fat. Larger people will have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows the overweight person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plumps the skin leaving it clear, healthy and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of--all that metabolized fat must be shed. Adequate water helps flush out the waste.

Water can help relieve constipation. When the body gets too little water, it siphons what it needs from internal sources. The colon is one primary source. Results? Constipation. But, when a person drinks enough water, normal bowel function usually returns.

So far, we have discovered some of the remarkable truths about water and weight loss: 1) the body will not function properly without enough water and can't metabolize stored fat efficiently. 2) Retained water shows up as excess weight. 3) To get rid of retained excess water weight you must drink more water. 4) Drinking water is essential to weight loss.

HOW MUCH WATER IS ENOUGH?

The average person should drink 8 glasses of water, about 2 quarts minimum. The overweight needs to drink one additional glass of water for every 25 pounds of excess weight. Increase your water intake during hot, dry weather, strenuous exercise or when ill.

Cold water is preferred as it is absorbed more quickly into your system than warm water. There is some evidence that drinking cold water can actually help burn calories. To utilize water most efficiently for weight loss, follow the schedule below:

Mornings: 1 quart consumed over a 10-minute period. Noon: 1 quart consumed over a 10 min. period. Evening: 1 quart consumed between 5-6 PM when the body gets the water it needs to function properly, its functions are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached "breakthrough point."

What does this mean? 1) Endocrine-gland function improves 2) Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is released 3) More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat 4) Natural thirst returns 5) There is a loss of hunger almost overnight.

If you stop drinking enough water, your body fluids will be thrown out of balance again and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst.

To remedy the situation, you'll have to go back and forth to another breakthrough.

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