How many diets have you tried?
How many gym and exercise memberships have you had?
How many of you have desired more energy, to decrease stress and not only to look better, but to actually BE HEALTHIER too? Who else wants to not only live LONG, but live STRONG?
Consider a paradigm shift of thinking. First take “DIET” out of your vocabulary! Replace “diet” with “LIFESTYLE!” A healthy lifestyle includes eating more whole food nutrition, getting proper exercise, getting adequate sleep, with moderate stress and drinking adequate water all day.
With our BUSY lifestyles filled with appointments, stressors of all kinds, microwave-fast food, living, hustle here, hustle there, hustle-hustle-everywhere, productivity focused society, how can we incorporate these core areas of focus? I propose One Simple Change at a time, consistently, over time! How much time? 21 days? Maybe.
Let’s start with our water intake! Our body is over 60% water, with our blood being about 80% water. How important is water? Water carries nutrients and oxygen to every cell in the body; water controls the temperature of the body and regulates cholesterol; water cleanses the stomach and is essential for digestion; water helps remove toxins from the body; water lubricates and cushions the joints; water provides the body with valuable minerals (electrolytes): calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride and more! Do you get constipated, have dry mouth, flu-like symptoms, lack of energy, feel depressed or mentally drained at times? Relief of these symptoms may be as simple as drinking more water throughout your day!
How much water? According to Webmd.com, at least 8 glasses of water per day, that’s at least 64 oz per day. It’s recommended we drink even more prior to, after exercising and during warmer seasons. Mayoclinic.org recommends that a better indicator is the color of your urine: Clear or light-colored urine means you're well hydrated, whereas a dark yellow or amber color usually signals dehydration. If you prefer not to take the time to check your commode, then consider drinking ½ of your body weight of filtered water per day. For example, if your weight is 150 lbs, then plan to drink 75 ounces of water during your day.
I say PLAN, because if you don’t start with a plan, it will NEVER happen! What I have found helpful is having a bottle of water at my bedside, only sipping on it for the last two hours prior to sleep and perhaps during the night. Once my feet hit the floor, it’s on! I grab it on the way to the bathroom, wash my face, brush my teeth and start drinking!
If you plan to drink 1/3 of your water, prior to breakfast, 1/3 prior to lunch, then 1/3 prior to dinner, you will have accomplished your goal. I promise you that your body will thank you in so many ways!
Last tip for those trying to lose weight, drinking water PRIOR to meals, before reaching for that high sugar, high fat or highly salted snack, will help to curb that craving, over time! Breaking old habits don’t happen overnight! Avoid self-condemnation, just keep pressing forward towards better health, one day and One Simple Change at time!
WRITTEN BY: WENDY TUCKER, RN
Mrs. Wendy Tucker is an R.N. and Healthy Living Advocate who believes in a holistic approach to health care with an emphasis on prevention. Her entrepreneurial spirit and nursing background merged when she decided to focus on learning and sharing about the importance of whole food nutrition with the Juice Plus+ Company.