Everyday we are bombarded with the wonders of water.  Its cheap, highly assessable and it is nature's magical weight loss mineral.  We are bombarded for a reason.  Water is essential for human life, let alone weight loss. Our bodies may contain up twelve gallons of water or seventy five percent of our body weight. Water is present in every part of our body and is vital for healthy living.  So, grab yourself a bottle, sit back and read about the wonders of water.

Doctors have stated that the majority of symptoms that patients complain about on an average basis come down to the lack of water in their diet. Constipation, dry skin, acne, nose bleeds, urinary tract infection, sinuses and headaches are just a small portion of the problems that occur due to lack of water. You may ask, "How does this occur?" Water is required by every cell in the body to provide nourishment and to remove wastes. When water becomes scarce, the body tries to limit the amount it loses through breathing, mucous production, urination, perspiration and bowel movements. Proper water consumption allows your body to eliminate toxins and waste. It helps rid your body of excess sodium and helps reduce high blood pressure. 

Water consumption is arguably one of the most important aspects in any successful weight loss plan. Other than doing the all of the notable things stated above, it is also momentous in controlling your weight. The liver converts fat to energy.  This process requires more water than when you burn carbohydrates and glucose. Water not only helps the liver convert fat to energy, but it can increase the 

Another, more obvious reason to drink water, in respect to weight loss, is that water is a natural appetite suppressant. If you drink the recommended amount of water for your size, you will find that you will experience less hunger. In fact, a lot of the times that you think that you are hungry, it is actually your body telling you that you are starting to become dehydrated. 

So, how much should you drink on a daily basis?  As a general rule, for every two pounds of body weight, you need one ounce of water. 
 

Weight (Pounds)	Water Consumption Ounces Glasses
140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300	70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 19

It is important to note that if you are engaging in strenuous exercise or if 

There are many ways to incorporate additional water into your life. Take a big bottle of water to work. Every time you pass a drinking fountain, stop and take a drink. Drink a glass of water before each meal, that is already three glasses that you have taken care of. If you do not enjoy drinking plain water, try a splash of lemon or lime to add flavor. Once you start doing this, you may notice that during the first few days of increased water intake, you are constantly running to the bathroom. This can be very discouraging, and it can certainly interfere with an otherwise normal day at work.  What is really happening is that your body is flushing itself of the water it has been storing throughout a long period of “survival mode.”  As you continue to give your body all the water it requires, it will get rid of the excess, and you will observe a weight loss.

Water is an important part of life so treat it as such. Drink your water. Allow your body to work at its utmost capacity, give it what it wants. WATER.

Are bedtime snacks a part of your daily ritual? Does TV watching automatically mean junk food?   Those countless snack-food commercials tempting you to raid the cupboards. It is also a known fact that TV viewing can lead to distracted eating, this is when your attention is diverted from your food, making you less likely to respond to your body’s signals of fullness. When you consider all of this information, there is no surprise that we are more and more losing the battle with night time snacking. Are you tired of working so hard to eat right all day and sabotaging yourself at night when it most counts?  Here are ways of improving your odds in the battle of the night.

1. Looking at the entire day - Some people cut back their caloric intake so much during the day that they are literally starving at night.  Make sure to eat breakfast and lunch. In fact, you should consume 2/3 of your daily caloric intake before your last meal.  Including protein and small amounts of fat at breakfast and lunch may also curb your hunger at night. 

2. Overeating as a stress relief - A lot of people turn to food when they have experienced a hard day at work or other stressful things have happened during the day.  As you see, this is a recipe for disaster when it comes to night time eating.  Practice a stress reduction technique that you like.  For example yoga.  Not only will you exercise your body and make you feel better it is a known stress reliever.  It is also scientifically proven that exercise causes your body to release chemicals that combat stress and other suchproblems.

3. Occupy yourself - Take up sewing or cross stitch.  Even better, give yourself a manicure.  In this case the idea is simple, if your hands are busy, you are less likely to eat mindlessly. 

4. Move it along - Haul out that dusty treadmill and put it smack in front of your television. Besides being too busy to eat, you may find that you are exercising for longer periods because of the distraction of the television.

5. Downsize - On occasions when you indulge in a higher-calorie snack, avoid eating out of the bag or box, since you can’t keep track of how much you are eating. Instead, measure out a serving size, put it in a bowl or plate and bring only that amount with you to watch TV.  I often like to split that portion in two so I can trick myself into thinking that I had seconds.

6. Don't buy junk food - As you know chips, dips and confectionery don't just magically appear in your cupboard. The only reason you are snacking on junk is because you made the choice to purchase the junk food in the first place. If it's not there you won't eat it will you? Out of sight, out of mind. Clear the battlefield of all temptation.

Whatever you do to eliminate night time eating, remember, make the effort to break the cycle! It's up to you to take action and the make the decision to do something about your late night snack habits.   Habits can be broken and replaced with new habits. So, don't just sit there, go do something... literally.
 

I put it in the extra room
That we affectionately call the "gym"
With all the other paraphernalia
That will one day make me slim!

Ab mats for doing crunches
A small tramp to run in place
That awful, go-nowhere pedaling bike
That only leaves me red of face!

I have workout clothes and sweat bands
Even a "get-fit" coffee cup!
But that scale hasn't budged an inch
So, I'm on the verge of giving up!

I've just about convinced myself
That it's true what some folks say...
You have heard it too......Eat Right!
Get Fit? Die anyway!!

So for those who are devoted
To trying to make me over, PLEASE!
If God wanted me to touch my toes
He would have put them on my knees!

I believe He loves us as we are
That includes both big AND small
So when I reach the gates of Heaven
I will reach them flab and all! 

Copyright; Dusty Tincher 
 

April_is_shrinking  is a twenty nine year old and is the mother of four year old Matthew.  She has been married for eight years (on October 28th) to her loving and ever devoted husband Jeremy.  She lives on a beautiful horse farm in rural South Carolina.  Her goal is to be a healthy weight for her 5'10" frame.

April has a degree in accounting and plans to return to work part-time, while her son goes to kindergarten. (Ok mom, hold back those tears).  She enjoys horseback riding, scrap booking, writing and many other great things

April's weight loss journey has been a long and winding road filled with many ups and downs. The death of her mother-in-law and her dad's kidney problems caused April to slip into depression but she would not be defeated.  She vowed to herself that she would challenge her emotional issues and binge eating and she did. April is now a member of Weight Watchers and has lost over thirty pounds to date.

April suggests to others that it is important to start a weight loss 

She is a caring, sweet and supportive member of the weight loss community and for these reasons and many many more, April_is_Shrinking, you are in my spotlight. Shine my friend, shine. 
 

Why is it that when a bigger person eats something the whole world seems to be watching.  Watching and judging you on everything that comes near your mouth. I was watching a television show a couple of days ago and there was a lady that was so disgusted by larger people eating that it literally made her sick. She became physically nauseated by the sight of overweight people eating, no matter what the food was. She struck a nerve. One that is already raw with me.

First of all, it is no ones business but ours, if we want to eat something fattening on any given day.  We are the ones that will have to deal with consequences, not the ever prying Sam or Sally Skinny.  What gives people the right to judge what we eat or do. Maybe the "fat person" over there is eating a cheeseburger because she/he is treating themselves after a fifty pound weight loss.  Maybe, just maybe, the average 

So, you don't like the fact that I, a two hundred thirty pound woman, am eating pizza with extra cheese? Too bad, look away.  I didn't ask for your opinion in the first place. And that is the bottom line because notso said so.