It’s that time of year again!  The sun is out, the temperatures are rising and the layers of clothing are being shed.  So many of us are scrambling to figure out how to shed that winter weight fast! While there are no quick fixes, water can be a significant ingredient toward helping you drop some pounds. Here are some ways that water can contribute to the quest for a leaner version of yourself for the warmer months ahead.

Reduces Appetite: Before you decide to raid the kitchen pantry, grab a glass or two of water.  Many times the sensation we perceive to be hunger is actually thirst and water may be all that’s needed to satiate you.  If it is actually hunger you’re feeling, you should still make it habit to have one or two glasses of water before meals and snacks.  This will produce greater feelings of fullness and therefore decrease your desire to consume excessive calories.

Eliminates Unnecessary Calorie Intake:  One of the most common contributors to weight gain comes not from the calories we eat, but rather those that we drink.  A twelve ounce can of soda has approximately 160 calories and although juice may have more nutritional value,  it is loaded with sugar and has just as many calories as soda! If you’re thinking about having a frozen alcoholic beverage, you may want to think twice.  A pina colada will cost you around 500 calories!  By making water your beverage of choice, you will be making one small change that can add up to a big savings in calories.

Boosts Metabolism:  Every time you eat or drink anything, your body has to work to process what you’ve ingested.  This is called “diet-induced thermogenesis” and it has been documented in the The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism to increase metabolism by up to as much at 30% for up to 40 minutes after drinking 17 ounces of water.  Plain and simple, drink more water and you will burn more calories.

Yes, it’s true that water may be a helpful contributor  to achieving your weight loss goals, but the primary key to long term weight loss success is learning to modify your food intake.  This often requires additional support and education, which the nutritional experts at Medifast Weight Control Centers are well equipped to provide. Please call today to schedule a complimentary consultation where we can discuss your specific dietary needs and design a program that will help you lose your weight safely and learn to keep it off.

Medifast Weight Control Centers offers four Valleywide weight loss clinics to help you in your quest to transform your physique and health. Call today for a free consult! (602) 996-9669