My Journey - Part 9 - Lets Talk Nutrition - It Plays An Important Part Of Health And Weight Control

So lets get started on nutrition

As nutrition is an essential part of health and weight loss/control and the feeling of wellbeing, I am going to include emails regarding this subject. It also forms part of my journey as covered in my previous emails. I believe that understanding some of this will help you to start making beneficial changes to your diet, however, it is only a part of what led to my success - my amazing discovery 'To free the slim you' is the glue that holds together all of my nutritional knowledge, past experiences, new findings and success!!

So let's tackle the subject of water first.

Water - the essence of life

For some reason a lot of people do not like drinking water unless it is mixed with fruit squash, tea or coffee. Mixed with these substances it dilutes it's health value.
So I will start by going over the reasons we should drink water and plenty of it - at least 1.5 ltrs per day and more if you have exercised or done anything that has made you sweat.

Benefits - the scientific bit:

• Water is essential for life
• Regulates body temperature
• Transports nutrients around the body
• Involved in every stage of digestion
• Carries waste products out of the body
• Enables the formation of cells and tissues
• Provides a medium in which metabolism occurs
• Sends messages between our cells so that our muscles can contract
• Protects the nervous system
• Carries oxygen and carbon dioxide round the body
• Forms lubricant for joints and membranes

How cool is that!!

Things you need to know:

• At the point we feel thirsty our body is already dehydrated.
• Often when we feel hungry we are really thirsty.
• The colour of our urine is a clear indicator of our body water levels. If it is a light straw colour we are hydrated if it is any darker we are dehydrated. The darker the colour the more dehydrated we are.

How can we adjust to drinking water:

If you can drink water - go ahead and drink at least 1.5 ltrs a day
For those of you who struggle to drink water there is a correct way of doing this that makes it quite easy.
SIP your water regularly throughout the day. You will soon be able to consume your daily allowance.
Do not drink a full glass of water all at once as this will just go straight through your system and you will be running to the toilet all day. Even when exercising you should SIP.
Build up your water intake if you are not used to it. Any amount of pure water will be beneficial to you.
Drink a glass of water 30 mins before eating - you will eat less

Coming next:

Break the chain of Yo-Yo dieting

Until next time

Take care - Karen
Nutritional Therapist

Tip of the day
Water will make your skin, hair and complexion look and feel great. If you cannot drink it on it's own drink it in herbal teas - It has the same effect!

1. Prev:You Will Never Lose Weight Until You Praise You
2. Next:Lose Weight Diets - Tips To Lose Weight