Are you drinking enough water??  Did you know that it is difficult to lose body fat and maintain good health if you let yourself become even mildly dehydrated? Did you know that thirst indicates that your body is already dehydrated?

When your body is denied water ( or any vital nutrient) you body goes in to protection mode. It may tell you to eat when really, it is just dehydrated. Also, it may slow down your metabolism, making it easier for your body to store fat in an effort to retain water for survival.

Ask yourself this: When you are thirsty, do often reach for a glass of juice, or bubbly or even a beer??

The average inactive person loses around 2 L of water per day. Even if you do not feel thirsty, you may be dehydrated. The best way to tell if you are hydrated enough is by the colour of your urine. It should be almost clear if you are hydrated (some vitamin supplements will affect this).

THINGS THAT DEHYDRATE:

• Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate your body by forcing your body to eliminate water. I recommend you drink one large glass of water per caffeinated drink that you consume.
• Exercise causes sweating and raised body temperature which burns fat and eliminates water. I recommend you drink approximately 500mls extra per 30 mins of exercise.
• Some medications. Please read instructions and side effects carefully before taking prescription medications.

In winter it is especially easy to let yourself become dehydrated, because who wants to drink cold water??  Instead, you could try this:

Having a mug of hot water with lemon and honey instead of having a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.