Monday, July 26, 2010
Water for Thought
When I was still practicing massage, I always recommended to clients that they drink plenty of water after the massage to help flush out the toxins that were released during the session. I also encouraged them to sip water after exercise, as well as throughout their daily lives.
One of my co-workers shared my commitment to encouraging clients to stay hydrated and would provide clients with a short list of facts about water called Water for Thought. While doing a little purging and organizing in my basement last week, I discovered a copy and thought I'd share. It's my pleasure to present Water for Thought.
1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters sited in a University of Washington study.
5. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short term memory, trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.*
Pretty convincing stuff, eh? Seriously, if something so easy as drinking water can help prevent so many conditions, we should all be drinking up. My favorite tip for those of you working full time is to fill a large plastic container with water, freeze it at night and keep it at your desk at work for a continuous supply of cool water throughout the day. This was a tip from my OB/GYN when I was expecting my first child.
Do you have any suggestions for getting more water throughout the day?
*Source unknown.
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I'm a nurse and didn't know all those facts! I have always struggled to drink enough and this is motivation to do better! I love the lime and mint idea...
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Reading that drinking plenty of water could even ease joint pain really makes me want to stay well hydrated. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a good suggestion but this is what I do: Just do it! :-) I was not the biggest fan when I started but I am fine now & I also drink the no calorie flavored water for a treat. You can also add pieces of fruit to the water OR make crystal light or other low/no calorie ice cubes to add to water.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know all of those things!! That's amazing! I'm seriously going to drink more water, starting today. In the tiny office that I work in, everyone knows when anyone goes to the bathroom, but so what? I'm not just peeing, I'm improving my health and memory!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
ReplyDeletethank you for the post. I was just thinking about water after seeing National Geographic Channel advertising a documentary on water ( I think it is called Down the Drain).
I love water. It is the only thing that truly quenches my thirst. I love it both natural or mineral. I love it with hints of essences or lemon.
To drink more water when I am sitting a desk I use a bottle with a straw. I put it write between myself and the computer so that the straw touches my chin...so I sip away...next thing you know, I drank 32oz and I am ready for more!
I tend to over hydrate in the evenings for more energy the next day since I run in the early AM.
ReplyDeleteI am the worst at remembering to drink my water especially if it's not a hot day.
ReplyDeleteFew months ago I bought one of those 8 glasses water container that look like little water cooler bottle and I fill it up every morning and leave it in the fridge. By the time I go to bed I make sure it's all gone.
I love my water with little bit of lemon.
I got a huge 32 oz Nalgene bottle with a handle and literally carry it with me everywhere I go, refilling it several times throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I think of it I swig as much as possible.
When I'm really consistent, I get 1/2 to 1 gallon of water per day. I always feel better when well hydrated, but yeah, you can count on using the restroom a lot!
Whenever I need to have water with something..medicine, a supplement etc, I drink at least an entire 8 oz.
Well I happen to be in the 25% who are not dehydrated. I drink at leart 140oz of plain water a day.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to always carry a bottle with you. I take my reusable bottle everywhere and refill all the time.
Mint and lime sound so good!
ReplyDeleteGreat facts! I am grateful that I have always loved to drink water. It has been one less thing to change about my lifestyle. I would reccommend people cut out carbonated beverages and switch to water. Save the carb beverages for meals out once in awhile. I always keep a cold pitcher of water in my fridge and drink at least one 12 oz glass at each meal and more throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteThat was a lot of good information about water. I have no problem drinking lots of water. With my braces I am only suppose to drink water with them in.
ReplyDeleteAn older gentleman at my church drinks hot water in the winter months since he can't have coffee and does not like hot tea. I could do that with a little lemon added but not just plain.
I have not tried the combo of lime with mint but I do like cucumber slices and lime! So refreshing.
The pic of water with lime and mint looks delicious.. I'll have to try that.
ReplyDeleteMy tip is that every morning I measure out the basic 2 quarts, and then it's easy to know when it's gone. Anything after that is a bonus. Silly as it sounds, I get a kick out of going beyond the basic 2 qts, like I've done something to brag about, ha ha ha.
Loretta
=^..^=
I read in a magazine that people are more likely to drink if its ice cold, so I now make sure I have ice. I find I can drink a lot more of it this way.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have any thoughts about the Pure Fitness powder from Crystal Light? I find I sometimes get bored with just water but need something that I can quickly throw in a my water bottle as I dash out the door. The ingredients appear harmless...but we all know how misleading appearances can be.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows of a reason not to drink it, I'd love to learn what you know.
Water does one more thing for me that I'm not sure it does for others... most of my day is spent in one-on-one face time with my fitness clients -- most of whom have been coming to me for years.
ReplyDeleteI find it necessary to step away from them every few minutes to catch my breath and to release from my mind what they babble incessantly about. My water glass is my savior here; a reason to step away, and a necessary ingredient that I stay hydrated -- win/win :-)
#5 was a surprise to me! I just keep a water bottle in all vehicles and beside where I watch TV and guzzle water all day.
ReplyDeleteIt would be more convincing if I didn't already drink at least 100 ounces a day and still have daytime fatigue (terribly), horrible joint pain (knees) and often back pain and a glass of water when I'm hungry has never once made me not feel hungry.
ReplyDeleteI think water is necessary and wonderful, but medical professionals are all over the place with their opinions on how much you need, what thirst means (some say you're already dehydrated when you feel thirsty, others say that isn't the case; some say you need 8 full glasses a day, others say you get enough water from food that it isn't necessary; and the latest I heard is that getting most of your water from water-heavy foods is better for keeping weight down than getting water from drinking it).
So, I'll keep drinking my water because it keeps me from waking up dry in the middle of the night and because I eat a lot of fiber. But the rest I take with a grain of salt (no pun intended!).
Beth-I haven't heard of this product, but now you have me curious.
ReplyDeleteWow, definitely convincing! I've made it my mission over the last few months to drink a ton of water and I can't even begin to tell you what a difference it has made for my complexion and overall well being. Getting a great water bottle makes it much easier too. I'm definitely going to try the mint/lime combo, anything that reminds me of a mojito is great in my book! :)
ReplyDeletegood facts to know, thanks
ReplyDeleteI keep a huge water bottle on my desk at work and sip throughout the day. If it's there I know I'll reach out for it and take a swig. I know if I'm dehydrated it's not unusual for me to go home and inhale everything in the house mistaking hunger for thirst.
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