You're working like a dog -- hitting the gym, tracking calories, keeping a food journal, eating enough fiber to keep your entire neighborhood regular -- but you just can't budge the scale or the measuring tape. This week we'll talk about 6 reasons why that might be, plus how to make over your metabolism.
You Don't Drink Enough Water
We've all heard how important H2O is when it comes to shedding pounds. It helps to suppress appetite, so you're less likely to overeat. But that's not all: When you're dehydrated, your kidneys can't function properly, so the body turns to the liver for additional support. Because the liver is working so hard, more of the fat you consume is stored rather than burned off.
What is most surprising, though, is that if you're upping your fiber intake but not also hitting the (water) bottle hard, things tend to get a wee bit...um...backed up. It's important to add fiber gradually and increase water intake at the same time. Otherwise, instead of helping with digestion, fiber may work against you.
So how much water should I be drinking? Well, according to Pamela Wartian Smith, MD, and author of Why You Can't Lose Weight, about one-half your body weight in ounces every day, especially if you're exercising. So the eight-cups-a-day rule applies only to sedentary women who weigh 128 pounds. She also adds that if you consume an aggressive amount of fiber, another eight to 16 ounces a day is a good idea. That amount of liquid may require some serious effort. So stop right now and figure out how much water that would be for you, and start tracking your ounces. I personally am a "water hog" - my family knows better than to take a drink out of my water bottle because "I am measuring!" Yes, you might add a few trips to the bathroom, but if you use the bathroom that is at the far end of your home, you add some exercise in there too. Yea! :)
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