Obesity Discussion Forums

[basketballbelly]

Hi, I was just wondering how water helps in weight loss. I know some would say that it fills you up so you eat less, but I don't find that to be true, I drink water between meals, I do drink it when I feel a little twinge of hunger, but the water itself never 'fills' me.

Thanks,
bbb

[Thin Desire]

Water keeps you hydrated, otherwise, you will ironically retain water and thus find it harder for the weight to drop off. Drinking the water will in theory keep you peeing, making you thinner. Moderation of course.

[basketballbelly]

Ok, I get that, one of the reasons I am asking is because before I came here I NEVER drank water, really, I hate water and will drink tea every now and then, I've often wondered why people say you will die if you don't drink water every.....whatever it is...I've found this, through experience, not to be true. Obviously, not drinking water has not helped me, I'm huge...I've done a little research since posting this and have found some interesting articles;

This one was the best so far, it really breaks down what water does for the body...I should be drinking at least 96oz daily, I've been drinking 64 and will start upping that number tonight.

Drinking Water and Weight Loss

This one makes quite a bit of sense and goes along with what I was saying in my original post

Drinking water alone does not aid weight loss - Telegraph

This one references several studies

Can drinking lots of water help you lose weight? - CNN.com

So many different ideas. Drinking the extra water can't hurt so I am going to increase my water intake, but I also want to be aware that I am eating the water dense foods as noted in the second article...I think the combination will be helpful

bbb

[Rue]

I think drinking water makes the most sense if you drink it a few minutes before you eat...and hopefully you'll feel fuller...I don't know that drinking between meals is as helpful (to keep hydrated, yes...to help with weight loss, no...)...

[angela]

Those are some interesting articles, thanks for posting... I will be trying harder now to drink more water.

I have anyways understood it that water helps flush you out, whether your trying to loss weight or not, it's good for your system. But especially when your trying ot loss weight, it gives it a way to escape. lol.

[Fluffymomma]

I just drink it because "they" say to ! LOL I don't drink it to fill me up though between meals or before a meal. I never found that too effective. Plus, I kind of get a belly ache trying to do that. I just focus on what I am apparently supposed to drink and leave it at that.

[Miranda]

It can also help tighten skin after weight loss:

Tighten Skin After Losing Weight: Quick Weight Loss Leaves Loose Hanging Skin

Tighten Skin After Losing Weight

Quick Weight Loss Leaves Loose Hanging Skin

May 16, 2007 Tracy Rose


Extreme weight loss may not provide ideal results. Trading body fat for hanging, loose skin is not the dieter's dream. Prevent loose skin with healthy weight loss.






Every dieter has the thought that weight loss shouldn’t be so hard. Even if an overweight person knows deep down that faithful exercise and natural eating is the way to permanently lose weight, they wish that there was an easier, faster way to reach their weight loss goals. While there may be other ways to lose weight quickly, they are not healthy options.
Slow Weight Loss is Best

Quick weight loss may be possible by having weight loss surgery, making extreme lifestyle changes or taking weight loss drugs, but experts recommend losing only 1-2 pounds per week for good reason. Looking weight too quickly takes an unhealthy toll on your body. Most people are also unlikely to maintain weight loss that has been achieved too quickly, causing them to regain the weight and begin yoyo dieting.
Problems with Extreme Weight Loss

Quick weight loss presents its own problems. A common complaint from people who lose a lot of weight quickly from extreme dieting is that their skin doesn’t tighten up. Dieters are left with unsightly loose and hanging skin. It doesn’t seem fair to overweight people who have worked so hard to drop the weight.
Few things could be more frustrating than struggling to lose weight for many years, finally reaching your weight loss goals and then having to deal with an imperfect body because of the loose skin caused by the extreme weight loss. It affects self-esteem, body image and size.






Surgery to Remove Hanging Skin

Though continued exercise and fat loss will help reduce hanging skin around the abs, inner thighs and underarms, a surgical procedure is likely necessary to remove the loose skin. While weight loss surgery is often covered under medical insurance plans, skin removal is considered cosmetic surgery and is not covered by insurance. Prevention is the ideal way to deal with loose, hanging skin due to weight loss.
Prevent Loose Skin After Weight Loss

• Exercise regularly to tighten and tone problem areas
• Follow a healthy diet plan
• Do resistance training 3 times a week to build new muscle for the skin to adhere to
• Count calories
• Don’t follow an extremely restrictive diet
• Drink a lot of water
• Lose weight slowly
• Talk to your doctor about healthy weight loss options

Ways to Tighten Loose Skin After Extreme Weight Loss

• Continue to exercise regularly
• Concentrate on strength training exercises
• Eat lean poultry and other proteins with each meal
• Try over-the-counter creams to tighten the loose skin
• Consider surgical options to remove hanging skin
• Change your BMI to tighten loose skin

[Fluffymomma]

Haven't heard that either, Miranda, that the water will help tighten skin. Interesting. Thanks for sharing that.

[basketballbelly]

When does the constant peeing stop! I read in one of the articles, this is the main reason people stop drinking the desired amount of water...I can't stand this constant running to the bathroom...I hope it stops soon!

bbb

[Rue]

The peeing doesn't stop. You drink - you pee. Drinking for the sake of drinking isn't a great idea either...there's a difference between drinking enough and drinking more than you need...

[basketballbelly]

Rue, I understand that we must expel that which we take in...what I wonder about is the excessive urination, when will that end? I have calculated my water intake based on my weight and I should be drinking 96oz daily in order to actually rehydrate myself as well as aide in weight loss.

bbb

[notobeseanymore]

Calculated your water intake based on what? Where is it written that you must consume 96 ounces of water a day? If you're peeing every half hour and your urine is completely clear, you can definitely cut back.

[basketballbelly]

Notobeseanymore, that almost sounded like an attack, I hope not, I've had such a great time on this board, I'd hate for that to end now.

It is not written anywhere, I went online, like I do with most other things I have little knowledge about and googled 'how much water should I be consuming' easy search that turns up pretty much the same equation in each post...I'm right where I should be based on the equation given...not sure why that is such a problem for you? If you don't think it is important to increase your water intake, that is fine, but tone, tone is everything online. I'm just posting what I am doing...

peace!

bbb

[Rue]

I think you're relying on the notion that drinking water will be the 'magic' solution to your weight loss.

And I think a glass of water, or other beverage, before a meal will help you feel fuller for that moment...but I don't think the effect will last.

If feeling full is really important to you, you might have to rethink that as part of losing weight - I think it might be more helpful to convince yourself that there is no need to feel full. Many studies suggest that you stop eating before you get that feeling of fullness, so it's not an off-the-wall suggestion.

If you know you're eating enough calories a day - then you know you won't starve and you can ignore that need to feel full as well (or at least try to).

As with most things, there is an element of mind over matter.

I spent 10 years trying to eat in an rationalized manner so that I would lose weight slowly but steadily - and all I did was gain more weight. Now I've just accepted that I need to count calories and that's the way it's going to have to be.

It's certainly not easy - but it's made the process less stressful in general.

I also haven't forbidden myself any foods. I've had the odd handful of chips, the odd bit of baking - I know what I can eat at McDonald's if we end up there for a quick meal - I just make sure I count that in my daily caloric allotment.

And I do drink water! I'd rather eat my calories than drink them...so water does play a role in my diet - I'm just not utilizing it as a weight loss strategy.

[basketballbelly]

Ok, this has taken a strange turn, I'm not sure why you think I'm drinking water to feel full, I've stated that water has never helped me in that way. The links I posted outlined the benefits of water, flushing out the system, better skin, better muscle tone, etc. I asked the initial question because I've never been one to understand why so many state that drinking water actually helps in weight loss. Again, why is this topic so touchy, really, it is not worth the debate. This is a light topic to which I am seeking light hearted replies...I'm not looking for a magic bullet, not looking to lose 50lbs in a week, I just posted a simple question...is this just a bad day for you guys?

bbb

[Rue]

I'm trying to help. Sorry.

[basketballbelly]

I think the reply of notobeseanymore inspired a defensive mode, I'm sorry if I offended you Rue, you've been very helpful and I appreciate it. I'm not sure why that tone was taken, but it shook me a little...back to being sunny me!

bbb

[Miranda]

(((BBB)))

I think there is an older thread floating about somewhere on this board where the merits of drinking water have been debated. I hestitate to use the word "heatedly" as the tone of the debate, but if I remember, it may have approached that! BBB, if drinking water aids you in you weight loss or even if you only think it helps, then do it! No one knows what your body needs better than you do!

[Miranda]

I found it! It had gotten pushed back a few pages! Here you go:
How much water do you drink?

[notobeseanymore]

Originally Posted by basketballbelly

Notobeseanymore, that almost sounded like an attack, I hope not, I've had such a great time on this board, I'd hate for that to end now.

No, I'm simply disagreeing with you. There is no need to be overly sensitive.

It is not written anywhere, I went online, like I do with most other things I have little knowledge about and googled 'how much water should I be consuming' easy search that turns up pretty much the same equation in each post...I'm right where I should be based on the equation given...not sure why that is such a problem for you? If you don't think it is important to increase your water intake, that is fine, but tone, tone is everything online. I'm just posting what I am doing...

And you seem to fret quite a bit over whether you're getting enough and I'm betting you structure a good part of your day around drinking water and going to the bathroom. Right? Why? What's the benefit to you? Flushing your system? Your kidneys already do that for you. Just because a Google search turns up x number of results doesn't mean that you're following correct advice. I'm friends with several physicians and I asked them how often an adult should drink water. The answer from all of them was exactly the same: "Drink when thirsty. There's no hard and fast rule about how much you should drink."

I've repeated this several times because it seems to fall on deaf ears. But if you don't want my opinions or my help, rest assured that you won't get either anymore.

Originally Posted by basketballbelly

I think the reply of notobeseanymore inspired a defensive mode, I'm sorry if I offended you Rue, you've been very helpful and I appreciate it. I'm not sure why that tone was taken, but it shook me a little...back to being sunny me!

Again, I think you're being overly sensitive. That's not an attack either, that's just me calling it as I see it. Someone disagreeing with you does not constitute someone attacking you.