Hydrate or Die? Take the 10 Day Water Challenge!

How many times have you heard...."Drink more water, it's good for you."? Well, facts don't lie...it IS good for you! I find that I all too often reach for a flavored drink or even a soda before I think about drinking plain, pure, refreshing water, and starting today, I am going to be better about it! I may even nag the big guy (also known as my hubby)to drink more water. Though he has commented in the past, "Why would I drink water? It has no bubbles and no caffeine." If your thoughts are in line with my hubby I hope you will read the following reasons for drinking water and take my 10 day challenge of only drinking water.

1. Weight Loss

Water is one of the best tools for weight loss, first of all because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that doesn't have any calories. But it's also a great appetite suppressant, and often when we think we're hungry, we're actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no calories, no carbs, no sugar. Next time you think, "That apple fritter looks good.",  drink a glass of water and see if it doesn't change your hunger level.  Drink plenty to help your weight-loss regimen.

2. Heart Healthy

Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.

3. Energy Level

Being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired -- even mild dehydration of as little as 1 or 2 percent of your body weight. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated -- and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.

4. Headache Cure

Another symptom of dehydration is headaches. In fact, often when we have headaches it's simply a matter of not drinking enough water. There are lots of other causes of headaches of course, but dehydration is a common one.

5. Healthy Skin

Drinking water can clear up your skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It won't happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin. Just think about your beautiful appearance after you take my 10 day challenge!

6. Digestive Problems

Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Often water can help cure stomach acid problems, and water along with fiber can cure constipation (often a result of dehydration).

7. Cleansing

Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body.

8. Cancer Risk Reduced

Related to the digestive system item above, drinking a healthy amount of water has also been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%. Drinking lots of water can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer.

9. Better exercise

Being dehydrated can severely hamper your athletic activities, slowing you down and making it harder to lift weightsor in my case, to keep up with Michael Jackson as we dance together on the Wii;). Exercise requires additional water, so be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise.

I have heard it said....Hydrate or Die!  Let me know how the challenge works for you!