So, do you think you’re drinking enough water or are you having water retention? I definitely was not getting in enough on the weekends because of not having a plan in place. This past weekend was the first time in who knows when that I was able to get in 8+ eight-ounce glasses of water. Did you know the havoc we can wreak on our bodies when we don’t drink enough water?! By not drinking enough water it can lead to poor muscle tone and size, organ function not operating at max potential, muscle/joint soreness, water retention, and putting on excess body fat. If you’re not drinking enough, your body may also retain water to compensate where it’s lacking the adequate consumption required daily. Actually fluid retention can sometimes be eliminated by drinking more water, not less.

Did you know that when you have the proper intake of water it is a key to weight loss? Most individuals when trying to lose weight don’t drink enough water. Therefore, the body can’t metabolize the fat adequately. And when you retain fluid it holds onto the pounds. YIKES!

The minimum intake of water for a healthy person is eight to ten eight-ounce glasses a day. Research shows that an overweight individual should drink in an extra glass for every 25 pounds they exceed their ideal body weight. And for further recommendations you can consult with your personal physician.

The International Sports Medicine Institute came up with a daily formula for daily water intake: 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight if you’re not active (that’s ten eight-ounce glasses if you weigh 160 pounds), and 2/3 ounce per pound if you’re athletic (13 to 14 glasses a day, at the same weight).

Make sure that your intake is spread throughout the day and evening. In the beginning with making the adjustment of trying to get in the water it will seem as if you are in the bathroom CONSTANTLY. You will be, but within a few weeks, your bladder will begin to make the adjustment and you’ll urinate less frequently but in larger amounts. Just wait, by consuming those eight to ten glasses of water daily you will be well on your way to getting fit, healthier, and gaining more energy.

Here is another recipe that I tried over the weekend and will include it during this week 30 DAY WATER CHALLENGE that is refreshing! It will make infused water for about 2 ¼ quarts of water. It’s Detox Infused Water which includes: 6 cups of filtered water, 1 tbsp. grated ginger, 1 sliced cucumber & lemon, 1/3 cup mint leaves. Let the mixture infuse overnight and drink it all the next day. If not organic be sure to cut the rind off of the fruit.

Many of us are looking to enjoy the health benefits from drinking water but may need to have others hold us accountable, me included! So if you are up for the challenge we are going to increase our intake of water for the next 30 days with drinking a minimum of eight 8-oz glasses of water daily. We began the challenge on last Monday, July 21st and we invite you to join us.

To come aboard simply go to www.facebook.com/mindshapeup and say, “Im in” or “Yes” and let us know at the end of each day how many 8-oz glasses of water you drank.

Blessings and Love,
Lauretha Ward