Does Drinking Water Help Weight Loss?

Can something as simple as drinking water help weight loss?

Before you dismiss this, ask yourself if you drink enough water every day. If you think that just because you work in an office and do not perspire much and hence do not need to drink so much water, you are wrong!

In fact, we corporate workers drink less water than we realize! In fact, we probably drink more coffee than water! We sit in the office all day checking emails and rushing deadlines. Before you know it, your next sip of water only comes at lunchtime. Personally I have gone for almost a day in the office without touching a sip of water. It is only when my throat was so dry and I can't even talk on the phone properly that I was reminded I haven't had anything to drink at all.

In this time and age where quick fix fat loss products flood our pharmaceutical shelves, we office workers are always searching for the next cutting edge fat loss pill for the quickest way to lose weight. But we often overlook the most basic and natural of our fat loss resource. One that is effective, free and completely without side effects. One of them is water.

Here are some little known facts about the impact of water on weight loss and some tips to keep your body properly hydrated throughout the day.

1. Natural appetite suppressant

In case you are wondering if this means you should replace your regular meals with gallons of water, no. When our bodies are dehydrated, it can sometimes misinterpret thirst for hunger. In the stressful office environment that we work in, we will usually reach out for a cup of coffee or grab anything sugary so it can both give us a quick boost in energy and at the same time curb what we believe is hunger. Since what our body is truly looking to be hydrated instead of being fed, this false signal of hunger will soon come back resulting in you indulging in a lot of unnecessary snacking. We all know what the outcome of that is going to be.

When you have a bottle of water at your desk, you have a higher tendency to drink it than if you had to constantly get it from the pantry. So at the start of the work day, keep a one liter bottle of water at your desk and aim to finish everything by lunchtime. After lunch, replenish that bottle and aim to finish it before you finish for the day.

For all you coffee drinkers, don't think for a second that all those coffee you drink is enough to hydrate your body. Caffeine is a diuretic that actually dehydrate you. So coffee drinkers should actually drink more water instead.

2. Improves Fat Metabolism

Our liver is an amazing organ that is responsible for metabolizing fat amongst many other important functions such as cleansing your body of toxins, breaking down alcohol, etc.

Metabolizing fat basically means converting fat to be used as energy.

Drinking water helps weight loss by ensuring your liver is metabolizing fat properly. When your body is dehydrated, your kidney functions are affected. If your kidneys cannot perform properly, the liver steps up to take on its duties and hence becomes overloaded. When that happens the liver won't be able to help you burn fat effectively.

If you exercise and don't drink enough water, this will negate the fat burning benefits of your workouts altogether.

Never wait till you are thirsty to drink water. When your body has to signal thirst to you, that means you are already on the verge of dehydration and your liver is about to work overtime and in the process affecting your fat burning effectiveness.

3. Improve exercise performance

Everyone knows that maintaining proper hydration is crucial before, during and after exercise. If you do not drink sufficient water, your blood thickens and it becomes harder for your body to transport oxygen and nutrients to your muscles to effectively perform your workouts.

If you can't get the most out of your workouts, how are you going to burn fat efficiently?

Furthermore, as your exercise, your body heats up. Without proper hydration, your body clings on to whatever little water it has. This means you will not be able to perspire and cool your body down during exercise resulting in your body overheating and in severe cases, leading to heat stroke.

Before your exercise, aim to drink at least a tall glass of water. Keep a large bottle of water handy and drink it constantly during your exercise to keep yourself hydrated throughout the workout session.

4. Burn extra calories

Drinking water helps weight loss by helping your burn extra calories as well.

Scientists in Germany discovered that drinking at least 500 ml of water in one sitting increased our metabolic rate by 30% in 10 minutes. This increased metabolism will sustain for up to 40 minutes and during this time, 100 extra calories are burned.

Aim to drink at least 2 liters of water when you are in the office to burn up to 400 extra calories a day.

At the beginning, don't worry if you are suddenly visiting the washroom more often due to your increased water intake. This just means that your body is now able to release water that it has been keeping in your body. As you continue to drink more water, your body will recognize that it doesn't have store water anymore and will now allowing for a better regulation of fluid within your body.

We all know that water is life. It's no coincidence that drinking more water is always the advice we get whenever we are not feeling well. So before you reach out for the next "state-of-the-art" fat loss pill for the quickest way to lose weight, give drinking more water a try. And the answer to the commonly asked question, "Can drinking water help weight loss?" will be very pleasingly evident to you.

If you work in an office and can't seem to find time to lose weight, there are more great weight loss tips to show you how to get slim and the quickest way to lose weight. Also, you can get your hands on the free fat loss starter kit that has helped many others lose up to 5 lbs in the first week. Visit corporatefatlossplan.com now!

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By Daniel M.C. Ho

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Best Way to Lose Weight: Start Snacking in the Office!

I have a confession to make. I snack in the office. In fact I have a drawer in the office that's filled with all my midday snacks that you'd think I was preparing for an imminent war.

Truth is, one of the best way to lose weight is to eat every three hours as it helps to stroke your metabolism and prevent your body from storing fat. And snacking between meals is the easiest way to do that. But before you get too excited about your containers of cookies, crackers and candies that you display oh-so-proudly on your desk, understand that only certain snacks that will help you to lose weight.

Because we office workers are always in a rush for time, we need snacks that don't need a lot of time to prepare and hopefully is something that can be consumed immediately at your desk.

Lets take a look at some of my personal favorite fat burning snacks and see whether you have any of these in your office tidbit stash.

1. Baked Almonds:

Almonds or all nuts in general have gotten a bad reputation because they all contain fat. Just like there are good and bad carbohydrates, there are also good and bad fats (artificial trans fats). Fortunately, the fat that you get from almonds are healthy monounsaturated fat that can lower your LDL cholesterol levels and lower your risk of heart diseases.

So does almond prevent weight loss at all? Yes! Whfoods.org reported that in a 28 month study conducted in Spain, participants who ate nuts at least twice a week were 31% less likely to gain weight than those who didn't consume it.

Rich in Vitamin E, Almonds are also full of nutrients. When your body is nourished with nutrient rich food, you stay satiated longer after a meal. So popping a handful of almonds (No more than 20) as a midday snack will keep hunger pangs at bay.

2. Dark Chocolates:

Finally, one of the best ways to lose weight is to eat something that you all enjoy and can eat without feeling sinful. Chocolates - or more accurately, cocoa, is known to have one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants (flavonoids) in any food.

Thanks to the bitter taste and the cocoa butter, dark chocolate helps with weight loss by slowing down digestion and keeping you feeling fuller. In addition, the polyphenol present in cocoa helps absorbs glucose and burns fat.

Furthermore, the mood improving properties of cocoa actually helps reduce stress, which incidentally is one of the major reasons for emotional eating.

But don't mistakenly stock up on milk chocolates! Remember, only dark chocolates of 70% cocoa content and above will have fat loss properties. If you can stomach it, obviously the higher cocoa content the better.

3. Apples:

An apple a day can also keep the fat away. An ideal snack at anytime of the day, apples are low in calories, fat and sodium and its full of vitamins, minerals rich in fiber. If you have a sugar craving, the natural fructose in apples will take care of that as well.

With regards to fat loss, Pectin that's present in apple's fiber is the key ingredient. Pectin is an insoluble fiber that helps digestive health and also keeps your body feeling full a lot longer.

Considering apples have such low calories, eating more of it instead of your usual candy bars will cause a calorie deficit resulting in weight loss!

4. Oat Meal:

Yes Oatmeal. Nobody said oatmeal is restricted to be eaten only at breakfast.

A staple in almost all serious weight trainers, the weight loss benefits of oatmeal is renowned and proven. High in fiber and an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, oatmeal helps to stabilize our blood sugar levels and suppresses hunger pangs. Other health benefits include lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart diseases.

Contrary to popular belief, preparing oatmeal is not that difficult. I personally keep a tin of Quaker Instant Oatmeal (Natural whole grain oats. No Sugar) in my office pantry. All I do is mix about a glass of milk into a serving of oatmeal and sprinkle some trail mix (those without M&Ms) or almonds and I'm done. If you prefer to have it hot, then simply microwave it for about 3-5 minutes and you have a nutritious midday snack to last you till dinner time.

To lose weight doesn't necessarily mean you have to eat less and reduce calories. Not all calories are created equal. The calories you get from apples are definitely more beneficial to your body than a chocolate chip cookie. So go ahead and snack in the office! Replace your current office tidbits or snacks with the above and you will know why this is the best way to lose weight!

If you work in an office and are looking for the best way to lose weight or how to reduce tummy in the shortest amount of time, there's a effective fat loss starter kit at corporatefatlossplan.com that will help you to lose up to 5 lbs in the first week!

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By Daniel M.C. Ho

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Guidelines for Living With Diabetes

Listed below are some diabetes guidelines that you can use to help you manage your diabetes and avoid the possible serious complications that are associated with this disease.

Strategies for Diabetes Management

• When you have diabetes it is essential that you exercise at least three to four times a week for between 20 to 40 minutes each time. Routine exercise has been proven to improve your blood sugars, decrease the risk of heart disease, and help you lose weight. Before starting any exercise program you will want to talk with your physician especially if you are experiencing any neuropathy or vision problems.

• Eating a proper diet is essential. If you are having difficulty regulating your blood sugar levels you may want to visit with a dietitian on a regular basis to ensure that the foods you are eating are beneficial to your body and your glucose levels. You can find dietitians through your physician or hospital and they, along with your diabetes health care team, can assist you in finding a diet that is right for you.

• It is vital that you get plenty of rest. Adhering to a routine schedule and getting enough sleep will help avoid stress and help you keep your blood sugar levels under control.

• It is extremely important that you maintain your feet properly. You need to check your feet daily for any calluses, cracks, or sores. If you notice sores that do not heal in a timely manner, swelling that does not go down after you elevate your feet, redness, ulcers, or pus it is important to visit your physician immediately. Over half of all lower limb amputations are done on people who have diabetes but have neglected proper foot care.

The Importance of Diabetes Medications

• It is important to your health that you take any prescribed medications on time and on the schedule that was prescribed by your physician.

• You also need to understand your medications and recognize the side effects and how they work in conjunction with each other as well as how they work with any dietary supplements you may be taking. Prior to beginning any dietary supplement you need to check with your physician to see how it will interact with any medications you are currently taking as well as how it may affect your glucose levels.

Strategies for Controlling Your Blood Sugar Levels

• As you should be aware, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is essential. You always want to try to keep your blood sugar levels in the range recommended by your health care provider at all times. Use your glucose meter as recommended by your doctor yet when you are ill you will want to use it more often. If your numbers stay elevated over an extended period of time or fall below recommended levels you should call your doctor immediately.

• It is important to keep a log of your blood sugar levels, what you eat during the day, as well as any stress that you may be experiencing which may elevate your glucose levels. When you visit your physician you should take this log with you to determine any trends and take appropriate action.

Diabetes does not have to be a death sentence. If you use your own common sense and follow the strategies listed above you can control this disease and live a long and happy life. In some cases people have even managed to turn their condition around simply through diet and exercise.

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By Julia L Hanf

Julia L Hanf is a proud contributing author and writes articles about type 2 diabetes. A few years ago through a near tragedy with her husband, Julia was able to discover ways to prevent, treat and reverse diabetes. Reversing diabetes requires difficult choices but in the long run will benefit you for the rest of your life.

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Wearing Diabetic Socks to Stay Healthy

Diabetes is a debilitating disease that occurs when one's body cannot produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, prevents one's body from producing enough insulin, or ignoring the insulin in the body. Insulin is vital to processing sugars and carbohydrates in the body. When one has diabetes, he or she must remain on a controlled, low-sugar diet and may have to take insulin injections to keep blood sugar levels in check. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. Many people have been diagnosed with this disease over the years, yet there are still many more people who have the disease but are unaware of diabetes symptoms. There are those who are at a higher risk for developing diabetes, with factors such as genetics and diet playing a large role. This type of diabetes is more prevalent in races such as Native Hawaiians, African Americans, and Latinos. It is also more common in older people. Insulin plays a vital role in breaking down the glucose sugars in the body that it uses for energy. When one consumes foods such as sugars, starches, and carbohydrates, these turn into glucose. Glucose provides the energy a body needs to run on, much like a car needs gasoline to go from point A to point B. The chemical insulin then carries the sugars from one's blood into the cells. If the insulin does not process properly and builds up in the cells instead, this can ultimately lead to diabetic complications. One who suffers from either form of diabetes realizes this one disease can lead to a domino effect of other complications. Foot ailments are one of the most common complaints and medical issues of most diabetics. When one's body cannot break down the glucose, it raises the blood sugar in his or her body. This can cause complications such as foot ulcers due to poor circulation, loss of feeling, and lengthy healing of wounds. One can help these foot ailments by providing proper support of the feet. This can be done by the use of diabetic socks. These specially designed socks are one of the most convenient methods for keeping one's feet healthy and at a lower risk for such complications. These socks are engineered to reduce moisture in the feet to prevent the risks of any infections or bacterial growths such as athlete's foot. These socks are usually anti-microbial to give one added protection from these infections. The use of the socks is a great way to encourage prevention so feet can stay healthy. If one does not take the proper preventive measures, he or she may end up with foot sores and pain. The socks also have a special elastic band that helps provide support in the arch of the foot while giving the right amount of compression to reduce the chances of swelling in the feet. One must check for socks that fit snugly, yet are not too tight or confining. If a sock is too tight, this will decrease the blood flow to the feet, which will defeat the purpose of wearing the socks and can lead to further issues. Diabetic socks are made from cotton so they are much softer than regular socks that may consist of a blend of several synthetic materials. These socks are more soft and hypoallergenic for most users. The socks tend to be thicker than normal socks to give one extra padding, along with wider toe space. These small modifications can help prevent even the smallest of aggravations which many times can lead to a new series of problems. Made of cotton blends, diabetic socks are softer and more skin friendly than regular socks and are hypoallergenic and breathable. They also tend to be thicker to provide added cushioning, and the toe space tends to be wider. Such factors are important as even the slightest aggravation or discomfort can turn into a serious issue for those suffering from diabetes. Many Americans suffer from this disease every year, however with proper diet and exercise and taking preventive measures such as wearing the proper footwear, one can live much more comfortably with this common disease. ______________________________________________________________ By Kristian Primdal

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Common Foot Problems: Bunions and Hammertoes

The years of abuse and thousands of miles walked on the average pair of feet can take a harsh toll both on the functioning of those feet and their appearance. Though we often take our feet for granted, these marvelously complex structures at the end of our legs will pay us back in time for wearing ill fitting shoes in the name of fashion. Bunions and hammertoes are two of the most common problems experienced with foot deformities that only increase in severity if not taken care of. The big, sometimes painful bump on the inside of the foot at the base of the big toe is called a bunion. This condition typically develops over a long period of time often due to flat or flattening feet. It eventually results in the big toe being progressively drawn in towards the second toe, sometimes moving over the top or underneath it, with an increasingly pronounced bone protrusion on the side of the foot. Bunions aren't necessarily painful though rubbing against the shoe can cause discomfort. Eventually, painful arthritis can appear in the joint if the bunion isn't surgically repaired. Hammertoes are permanently bent, claw-like toe deformities that can result from a genetic predisposition and are often caused by ill fitting shoes, either flat or high-arched feet, or arthritis. Like bunions, hammertoes progress in severity over time and can create additional problems in the feet. They can become painful and require surgery to straighten the toes to their normal position. Surgical corrections of these foot problems have the benefit of reversing painful deformities while simultaneously enhancing the beauty of the feet. Talk to your podiatrist to learn about the latest techniques in foot health and beauty. ____________________________________________________________________ By Billings Farnsworth LA Beautiful is one of the best Los Angeles Podiatrist. Visit their website. (www.footbeautiful.com)

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Anti-Ageing Skin Care - The External Solution To Minimizing Wrinkles

Wrinkle is an interesting word: A wrinkle is a fold, ridge or crease in the skin. Skin wrinkles typically appear as a result of aging processes. Wrinkling in the skin is caused by habitual facial expressions, aging, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, and various other factors. Are you one of the many concerned about anti-aging skin care, the aging process and the effects of gravity on your skin? It's no surprise if you are because you are in the majority. I think most of us (I use the word "us" consciously!) think on this issue as we get older and the wrinkles in the skin begin to form around our mouth and eye area. We sometimes refer to these as "character lines" or perhaps less complimentary "crow's feet". But the advancing wrinkles let us know that we won't stay young forever. On the other hand, however, it doesn't mean that we just accept the inevitable and age gracefully. Mentally we can act younger than our years, but unfortunately we have less control of the physical properties of our bodies. There is still a lot that can be done, however, to maintain some skin tautness for an extended period. Anti-aging skin care goes for both men and women. Neither gender looks forward to the effects of aging. If they did, there would be no anti-aging industry and the cosmetic market would shrink considerably - think about it - what is the major thrust of cosmetics today? Preserving youthfulness, or more accurately, preserving a youthful appearance. Look at the current situation: There are countless lotions and potions all competing for the opportunity to prove their effectiveness and all presented by different descriptors like regenerating serum, cream, spa treatment, time defiance, timeless lotion etc. Then there is the promotion, the advertising, the peer pressure. This used to be focused on the ladies but now more and more, to the delight of the cosmetics manufacturers, the gentlemen are getting in on the act of anti-aging skin care - myself included I have to say! How do you choose? I guess those most in need of help have had longer to experiment with the various products out there and have an idea what is good and what is not so good. Do you go with a Time Defiance Lifting Serum or a Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum? This is a very difficult decision. You certainly don't want to choose the one that doesn't work as well. Okay, so you want to keep that skin firm and keep the wrinkles at bay, and there's no way of knowing which products to select. How about a process of elimination: First of all, what are you willing to spend? If you do not have a figure in mind then your choice is vast and this method won't help you. If your answer is 50 dollars or less, however, then you've just reduced the options, and you are heading in the right direction. Now, it's time to get the low down on anti-aging skin care and the products that actually provide a good cost/benefit ratio. We can refer to the one area where you can be assured of some sensible insight and that is internet based Cosmetic Forums (just type into Google - Cosmetic Product + Forum). These can be very helpful. OK it is true that we all have differing skin types and complexions to deal with, but it is a good bet that if a product gets a good review say 24 (4-5 stars) out of 30 people rating it, then it is a good sign. The associated comments attached to the review are also valuable. Quite often people make a decision based on how much they liked the product and how well it worked, against its cost. In this industry it is definitely unwise to think that just because it is expensive or made by one of the big, well known brands it is good. There are many examples where trials have shown that the cheapest product in a trial of say, face creams, was the most liked compared to some that were four times more expensive! You need to get the scoop on the anti-aging skin care products you're interested in. It is a buyer's market, so request some samples from the cosmetics counter. Try them yourself for a few days, because after all, that will be the ultimate test for you. Of course this whole discussion has focused on the external signs of aging which, as an indication of how many years we have lived on this planet, are superficial at best,. Clearly our mental and physical health and fitness will play a huge role in our physical appearance, and these factors in turn depend on our lifestyle and diet. Keeping things optimal here, gives the potions and lotions less work to do. This is the inside story and a completely different approach from that discussed above, but certainly a complimentary way of keeping those wrinkles at bay. Our skin can be seen as our biggest organ, and like the rest of our body needs to be fed from within as well. But this is another story! _______________________________________________________ By Michael Field-Dodgson Mike Field-Dodgson, a Scientist turned Business man, lives in the South Island of New Zealand. He was brought up in a family where unrefined food was the norm, and was taught, that if given a chance, our bodies have the internal capability to look after themselves pretty much. The Key is to be Trim, Healthy and Fit. Consequently his family's visits to the doctor are are few and far between.

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Food Advice To Diabetes Affected People

The first task you should undertake as soon as you come to know of your diabetes problem is to have a diet regimen that helps you in controlling this problem. But, at the same time, you should not lose sight of the nutritional aspect also because without proper nutrition, you may become susceptible to other health complications. Therefore, you should eat the right foods that can handle both these aims. You have a variety of food items that can control your diabetes and simultaneously satisfy your desire for tasty foods. It is true that if you are asked to eat the same foods repeatedly, you will get bored and at one point of time, you may hate to eat. But, by switching to various types of foods, fruits, vegetables, dried beans, dairy products that contain less of fat, foods made of wholesome grains and so on, your desire for tasty foods and having varieties of foods is also taken care of. Further, some fruits and vegetables are seasonal and you can have more of them during those seasons. You can also use your creativity to cook these foods so that you will not get bored with these food items. But, you should never forget the fact that you have been affected by diabetes and you can not afford to be irresponsible in eating. The blood sugar must be kept within the prescribed limits. A myth among those affected by diabetes is that if they take medicines, they can eat whatever they want. This is not true. You should continue to be eating right and this will only help you in having less toxic medicines for controlling your diabetes. Another advantage in eating right is that your family members will also emulate you and avoid eating unhealthy foods. If you are creative and cook varieties of healthy foods, they will also be interested in them. There are a lot of diabetic cook books from which you can cook easy and good foods. You can have even inexpensive foods that are simultaneously very healthy. Apart from eating right, you should also refrain from over-eating. Eating at the right times is another important factor that will help diabetes-affected people to control the problem. You should also ensure to drink plenty of water every day. Slow eating is another point that may help you to avoid over-eating. Last but not the least, you should completely avoid junk and processed foods. These foods are available everywhere and you may be tempted to eat them. But, you can not afford to eat them and spoil your health. If you refrain from eating them and advise all those known to you also to avoid eating them, you will be doing a great service to the society. _____________________________________________________________ By Raman Kuppuswamy Raman Kuppuswamy is a great thinker who writes excellent articles on various topics. You may kindly visit http://hubpages.com/profile/dreamdamodar and read more of his articles.

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