Drinking Water

So I've heard so many things about water's connection with health and weight loss. I've heard that you should just drink when you're thirsty, or that you should drink 6-8 cups a day. I've heard it does help with weight loss, and I've heard it doesn't. Does anyone have any advice from personal experience on this issue?

I've been exercising 6 days a week, 6 days of cardio (elliptical 30-60min) and 2-3 days of weight training. I don't drink that much water, but I do drink a lot of diet soda. I know its not good for you because of aspertame, but any other critiques of my beverage choice would be helpful.

Thanks!

Jessie

The notion that drinking water aids weight-loss comes from the fact that often times people mistake dehydration for hunger which leads them to eat more than they should. By drinking water more frequently, you decrease the chances of feeling hungry when it's really just that you're dehydrated.

Water also helps to "flush" excess sodium, which can cause water retention/bloating. So if you drink more water after having a salt-filled meal, you're less likely to become so bloated. (My explanation of that really sucks but hopefully you get my point?)

yeah, that makes sense. But doesn't diet soda do the same thing by filling up your stomach? I'm not arguing that i'd rather drink 100% diet soda, but for this purpose, soda should have the same effect?

Diet soda does have the same effect of filling your stomach, but the main problem with it is that it somehow plays a trick on your body.  I don't quite remember how it works, but it keeps your body from burning existing fat, even though it doesn't add to it.  (I still drink it too, to keep the cravings for regular soda under control, but I try to keep it down to once a day or less.)  High fiber foods (i.e. negative calorie foods) are a better choice for dealing with hunger cravings.

Actually, the reason that water is touted as a weight loss aid is because if you are not adequately hydrated, it puts a strain on your kidneys and your liver has to do some of the work. The liver's job is to process fat, and when it's doing the kidneys' job it can't adequately do that. So it's important to make sure you stay hydrated, whether it's with diet soda or water or whatever. All liquids count toward your daily intake, although caffeine acts as a diuretic so it's best to supplement it with non-caffeinated liquids such as water or seltzer.

Original Post by opusanna:

Diet soda does have the same effect of filling your stomach, but the main problem with it is that it somehow plays a trick on your body.  I don't quite remember how it works, but it keeps your body from burning existing fat, even though it doesn't add to it.  (I still drink it too, to keep the cravings for regular soda under control, but I try to keep it down to once a day or less.)  High fiber foods (i.e. negative calorie foods) are a better choice for dealing with hunger cravings.

I don't think I've ever heard of diet soda inhibiting the body from burning existing fat. Mostly, diet sodas are looked down upon because of the artificial sugar. Some people have adverse side effects from them that range from headaches to cravings. Others believe that there are bigger health issues that can be linked to these artificial sugars as well.

Artificial sweeteners are not good for you when you are trying to loose weight or any other time.

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.c fm/sugars__the_ugly

http://purehealthmd.com/nutrition/healthy-eat ing/sweetners/avoid-artificial-sweeteners.htm l

Water flushes out the fat cells on top of giving you that full feeling.  There are days when I really have to push myself to drink it.  I bought a cheap-o 75 oz jug and fill it each morning when I am at my desk.  I try to drain it during working hours.  Then anything else I may drink after work and in the early evening is just a bonus.