Water, Water Water

Someone recently e-mailed me this:

WATER

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population.)

#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism to 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the number 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 maths, 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.

Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?


I'm not sure where this particular article comes from, it wasn't documented when I got it, but, even if it's schewed a little, it's still sobering to realize the importance of water. Right now, when I'm hungry, the first thing I do is drink a glass of water. Icy cold water. It's helping me as an appetite suppressant. A lot of times, I'm not hungry anymore after drinking.

When the doctor at the gym was examining me, he said that I don't drink enough water. Now, I live about 5,000 ft. up in the mountains. Dehydration is common here. I do drink at least 6-8 glasses a day. But, that wasn't enough for me personally. I'm really overweight. My metabolism is barely functioning because I've abused my body for about 15 years now. I need more water. So I've upped it! I now drink at least 10 glasses a day. I choose water over anything else to drink. I only allow myself a diet soda (or pop if your from MN like me!) 2-3 times a week as a treat. That's it. Other than fat-free milk, limonada con soda (recipe to follow), or fresh-squeezed juice, I drink water.

Here's a recipe for Limonada con soda (lemonade with soda):

Squeeze the juice of 1-2 lemons (depending on how tart you like it, I like it tart!)

add about 2 Tbsp. of simple syrup (1c. water and 1c. sugar cooked together on the stove top, seal in a container and keep in the refrigerator)

fill the glass with soda water (my glass is about 12 oz.)

Sometimes, I crush ice in the blender and add the lemonade mixture over the crushed ice! YUM!

Anyway, just a post on why water is so important! Make sure you're drinking your share!


PS. About the picture below, how sad is that? It's the only picture I have of me right now. I'm, understandably, a little camera-shy. More to come!

It's Good To Face Reality

It's good to face reality. For so many years I had one excuse after another why I wasn't losing the weight--"I just had a baby." (now my baby is 10 and people aren't buying it!) "It's water weight." (Ummm. Yeah.) "I don't know why I can't lose it, I don't eat enough to keep a bird alive." (Noone is buying that either).

Bottom line. It's time. It's time to face up to the fact that you are 39, and 265 lbs. That's right, I said 265. For at least 5 years I had no clue what I weighed. That was a part of not facing reality. If I knew then I would have to do something about it. I would have to admit that I'm obese. I've gotten out of control. I'm absolutely threatening my own life.

Here's what got me to this point. I have a heart murmur. I've known about it now for 13 years. There isn't an excuse anymore for making my heart work harder and making my life shorter. I love my life. I have an amazing husband. I have incredible children. I want to see them grow up, I want to have that empty nest with my husband. I want to experience grandchildren. These are things that, if I don't start getting serious, I won't have or maybe I'll have them but I won't be able to enjoy them because I'll be sick. I could easily become a burden to the people I would willingly give everything for. Not a pretty picture.

So, here it is. Time to face reality. I have 3 really amazing friends who made me face it. They love me. They want what's best for me. They forced me to the gym and sat there with me when the doctor weighed me and measured me. It was absolutely one of the scariest things I've done. I couldn't hide anymore. It was there, slapping me in the face. 265. Time to get serious.

There are things I will do to lose this weight:

1. I'm working out at least 4 mornings a week at the gym. I do cardio and strength training. It's important to do both.

2. I'm starting to eat a low-fat, low-carb diet and I'm trying to watch my calories. More about that later.

3. I'm going to journal my journey. That's what this is for. I want to be able to see the process.

4. I'm going to start regularly doing something for me. Moms don't take care of themselves enough. I became a martyr to my family. Why do I feel like that makes me a better person because I give up stuff for my family? That's going to take some journaling!

5. I'm going to get enough rest, and I'm going to drink a lot of water. More on that later, too.


Is this going to be easy? If it was, I would have done this years ago. I know that it will more than likely be the most difficult thing I will do. It's not just the weight. It's why I allowed it to get to this point. That's the journey. Let's see where it goes!