August 24th Newsletter
This post was originally part of the series: “How to Make Healthy Living a Lifestyle – and for setting you up for a Successful New Year.”
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It’s amazing how much drinking water can affect us! Whether it’s our skin, mood, energy levels, contractions (if pregnant) or the amount of milk we’re able to produce (while nursing), the simple act of drinking water can truly make or break our day and how we generally feel! So, as this final week of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month approaches, I want to give all of you breastfeeding mothers – as well as all of you who aren’t, but are just as over the heat as I am – tips on how and why we [all] need to drink more water!
Why You Need to Drink More Water
Water truly is the most underrated health and weightloss tool. Our bodies are actually composed of nearly 60% water – which means that almost every body part and function is affected by water in some way, shape or form! And did you know that most people will literally die after 3 days of not drinking water? Only THREE days!!
Water also helps with numerous other “conditions”, including:
- Flushing out waste and bacteria. Our digestive system needs water to function properly. If you are “backed up”, try drinking more water on a consistent basis!
- Drinking water will help you save calories. People often think they are hungry when they are actually thirsty.
- Reduce joint pain. Did you know that glucosamine actually works because it helps cartilage absorb water? This is what makes our cartilage soft and hydrated, and therefore less “achy”.
- Prevent headaches. Many headaches are caused by dehydration, so next time you feel an achy head coming on, try drinking more water!
- Make your skin glow. Since our skin is the largest organ of our body, it makes sense that keeping our bodies hydrated would affect the way our skin looks as well. In fact, not only can it affect the color and texture of your skin, it also can change the actual temperature; sweating is what helps regulate the heat in our bodies.
- How we absorb nutrients. Water serves as the body’s transportation system when it comes to nutrients, and lack thereof can vastly slow or diminish the amount of nutrients our organs get.
- Perform better – both mentally and physically. If are bodies aren’t properly hydrated, we can feel foggy and not perform our daily tasks efficiently. Dehydration also prevents us from working out at our peak since water helps balance our fluid and electrolytes, which is essential to avoid muscle fatigue.
- If pregnant: Braxton-Hicks can become more intense and frequent when dehydrated, so make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day!
- If nursing: your milk supply can greatly diminish if you aren’t taking in enough fluids, since your body will first absorb the water it needs for itself, and then use the “leftovers” to help produce more milk. If you yourself are dehydrated, there is no way your baby is getting enough fluids either – so drink up!! I drank about 2 gallons per day when I was nursing my daughter, so don’t think you’re over doing it (as long as you’re eating enough protein, fats and healthy carbs to help balance it all out)!
So now that you know how imperative drinking water is to help with everyday functions, here are 5 easy steps to help you drink more of it!
5 Easy Steps to Drinking More Water
- Drink half your body weight in water. So, if you weigh 130 lbs, you should be drinking 65 ounces per day of water. Yes, tea, flavored and carbonated waters count too – but coffee, soda and alcohol do not; they are actually de-hydrating.
- Drink a glass of water before every meal, and have at least another ½ with each meal, as well.
- Always carry a bottle of water with you (or leave one in your car, purse, desk, etc.) – so you never actually feel thirsty. If you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. They have a high water content and will count toward your total “fluid” intake.
- Choose beverages you actually enjoy drinking. If you like the taste, you are more likely to drink greater amounts.
Now, on another note, I did write two Reviews this week as well, if you want to learn more about some of my newest and coolest finds! First off: Coconut Kitchen and their delicious line of Coconut Butters! If you haven’t tried Coconut Butter before, it has a thicker peanut butter-like consistency, and is great in and on pretty much everything!
My second Review, again, in honor of National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is Minbie. This line of nipples + bottles is seriously one of the greatest new-mom finds and is a must for anyone interested in both nursing and bottle feeding your baby!
As always, thanks so much for following along with me on my Motherhood journey, and please, if you have friends and/or colleagues who you think would love this info as much as you do, SHARE this Blog and Newsletter with them. LIKE us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to stay connected as well!
