We all know how important it is to drink water. After all, our bodies are about 55 to 60 percent water. And drinking water has great benefits. For one, it helps keep your skin looking full and vibrant.
Drinking plenty of water can also help you lose weight. Studies show that drinking about 17 ounces of water can increase the amount of calories burned for at least an hour, which could lead to modest weight loss. But drinking water doesn’t just burn a few calories. Drinking water can help you feel full, which in turn causes you to eat less. And water also helps flush out your system, which can help do away with feelings of being bloated.
Here are a few tips to help get more water into your daily routine.
- Keep water close to you throughout the day. Convenience is key with drinking water. Make sure to have a bottle with you to sip on all day long, to avoid the chore of having to get up and get water or take water breaks.
- Invest in a really good water bottle that you like. There are so many designs and styles out there, find something you like and go for it, even if it’s a little pricey. After all, you’re saving the environment by not using all that plastic, and if it’s a water bottle you enjoy you’ll be more likely to carry it with you everywhere, from the gym to the office.
- Use flavors for fun. We often hear people say, “I just don’t like water.” Sure, it’s pretty plain, but there are a lot of fun ways to spruce it up to make it more enjoyable. Use zero-calorie flavor packets, infuse your water with cucumber or orange slices, or add some crushed mint leaves to spice things up a bit.
- Get an app to track your drinking! For those of you who love using your smartphone, there’s an app that will help you keep track of your water intake, Daily Water. Similar to those steps on a FitBit, seeing it in front of you challenges you to meet your goals.
- Eat water-filled foods. About 20 percent of our fluid intake each day comes from foods. Eating foods with a high water content, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple and even broccoli can help boost your water levels.
