H2O

WATER

Why is drinking water so important? Water is your body’s Boss in the chemical department.  Did you know that 60 percent of your body weight is water?  Our bodies depend on water in order to flush out toxins and transport nutrients. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, which has many negative side effects.

What comes in must equal what goes out. Every day you lose water through sweat, breathing, urine, and bowel movements.  So you must drink enough water to replenish what you have lost.  Therefore, how much you should drink depends on other factors like your activity level, the climate, and your gender.

How much water should I drink per day? The Institute of Medicine research found that men should drink 3 liters per day and women 2.2 liters per day.  If you are active and sweat a lot during your workouts, then you will want to add an extra 2 cups of water.  Especially if the physicial activity lasts more than an hour.

Should I stop drinking water before a photoshoot or fitness competition? If you decrease your water intake, your body will adjust by retaining more water outside the muscles (making you look bloated). So most people actually increase their water intake to about 2 gallons a day up until the night before.  Then stop drinking water around 4pm, with the exception of a little water to help digest your meals.  That way, your tummy does not look full on the day of your event.

What is a good water bottle to use? Thanks to Ashley (boyfriend’s sister), we use the Bobble water bottle.  It is a reusable water bottle with a built-in, replaceable carbon filter that lasts for 300 refills! It comes in three different sizes as well (13, 18.5, and 34 oz). I definitely recommend it!

What type of water should I drink? In a normal diet, tap water is fine.  But if you are trying to lose weight or detox, distilled water is better.  We use a water distiller which undergoes a process of boiling, evaporating, and condensing the water.  Distilled water no longer has dissolved minerals. This is great for people competing in fitness/bikini competitions as well.