The easiest way to get healthy – without exercise!

Getting healthy without exercise, effort or money? Surely not. Until you discover the magic of drinking water. The significant benefit of drinking water is no secret, yet the vast majority of us do not consume enough H₂O each day. Dehydration, even in its mildest form, can have detrimental effect on our metabolism and bodily functions. In fact, your body needs to be adequately hydrated to reap the rewards of a hard workout. So in case you have forgotten or been living under a rock for your whole life, I thought I would give you a quick refresher on the benefits of H₂O:

• Vital to maintain bodily functions and metabolism: our bodies are roughly 60% water and thus is goes without saying that by not replenishing these stores we are adversely impacting its function. Water is also vital to speed up metabolism and clear toxins from our system.
• Suppresses hunger: over 75% of the time when we feel the need for a quick snack or meal we are actually not hungry, rather we are dehydrated. Thus, the calories we consume during this time is surplus and going straight to our waistline or thighs. By maintaining adequate hydration we would be saving our bodies from these excess, unwanted calories.
• Helps you stay alert and maintains energy levels: dehydration commonly leads to fatigue and lethargy, and hence, by staying hydrated we can avoid these feelings – especially during exercise.
• The healthiest drink: no sugar, no preservatives and nothing artificial. As long as its not brown and you can see through the glass, it’s the best liquid for you.
• Other benefits: decreases incidence of headaches, colon cancer, urinary tract cancer and kidney stones; also improves the appearance of your skin.

How much water do you need per day?

The general recommendation seems to be roughly around 6-8 glasses per day. But this variable depending on the water content of the food you are consuming and also the level of daily activity. So what is the perfect amount? Check your urine! If your urine is a lemonade or pale-straw colour you can pat your self on the back because your body is well hydrated. If it’s a distinct yellow or yellow-green colour you should grab your bottle and head straight to the tap. (If it’s any other colour you either need your eye checked or you should see a doctor).

Tips to stay hydrated:

• Get yourself a drink bottle and take it everywhere. Sip throughout the day rather than waiting for the thirst sensation.
• Go for a glass of water first thing in the morning – yes, that is, before (or, instead of) your morning coffee.
• Drink a glass of water before and after each meal.
• If you want to make things interesting, slice up a lemon and a few strawberries, put them in the bottle and throw it in the fridge overnight to let the flavours infuse. Experiment with other fruits or vegetables – acidic ones work best.
• Green tea is a great hot substitute instead of black tea or coffee, plus you get an added dose of antioxidants.