We all know that staying well hydrated is important to our health. It’s possibly even more important when late summer temperatures soar. It’s not always easy to keep on top of how much water we’re drinking as the day goes on. But here at Medical Weight Loss Clinic, there are ways to make sure we’re all drinking enough of it.
Keep water handy and add a fresh lemon to make drinking enough water an easy habit to maintain for your health.
McKensey McRae, manager at Battle Creek’s Medical Weight Loss Clinic location, says that water is critical to our health.
“Not only does water help keep cravings at bay because you feel fuller, but water is an essential part of all bodily functions and processes - including digestion and elimination,” she says. “Flushing waste and eliminating toxins are key processes for our health.”
That means when we don’t get adequate amounts of water, our kidneys won’t function properly. It prevents the liver from operating at peak levels. And because the liver’s primary function is to metabolize fat, not maintaining a proper level of hydration can mean you’re storing fat instead of burning it. But it’s an easy change to make.
“Increasing your water intake will increase your metabolic rate, meaning you will burn calories more quickly, aiding in the process of weight loss,” adds McRae.
McKensey McRae, manager at Battle Creek’s Medical Weight Loss Clinic location, shares her tips on how to stay healthy and hydrated, even in hot temperatures.
So how much water is enough? Well, the answer varies, but we have some helpful guidelines.
“It’s recommended that everyone get 64 ounces of water, or more, each day,” says McRae. “It’s important to listen to what your body needs. If 64 ounces isn’t enough for you, keep drinking!”
McRae knows some key secrets to staying properly hydrated. And lucky for us, she’s willing to share them.
1. Amp up the flavor of your water.
“Some people struggle with the lack of flavor, therefore using fresh lemon or lime slices in your water or infusing it with fruit is the way to go,” she says.
2. Bring your water with you.
If it’s hard to remember to drink water all day long, the secret is to take it along. “It’s helpful to bring a 32-ounce reusable container with you, drink it down and refill it at lunchtime,” says McRae.
3. Need a reminder? Invest in a water bottle with built-in reminders so you stay hydrated all day long.
“I have several large reusable water bottles that have quotes on them to motivate me to drink my water!” says McRae. “Some of these water bottles have time stamps on them, meaning I need to drink a certain amount by a specific time of the day. This way, I’m spacing my water out evenly for optimal hydration.”
4. Use your body weight as a guideline to determine how much water you need.
“Try drinking half an ounce to one ounce of water per pound of your body weight each day,” says McRae. “For instance, if someone weighs 200 pounds, he or she would attempt to drink between 100 ounces to 200 ounces of water each day.”
5. The hotter it is or the more exercise you get, the more water you will need.
“On hotter days we sweat a lot,” she says. “When we sweat, we’re losing water. Hot days will dehydrate you much faster than cooler ones. Drink extra water at these times.”
While it is possible to drink too much water in a day, it’s very, very rare. It would take a very large amount of water consumed in a short timeframe to do this. Also, it’s preventable.
“That’s one reason why spacing your water out throughout the day is important,” McRae noted. “Do not try to get your daily water goal in all at once!”
If you’re looking to reach your health goals, reach out to Medical Weight Loss Clinic. We can help. Book your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM.
