Cellulite & Hydration

CELLULITE-BUSTING SECRET #1:

KEEP HYDRATED

Most of us are chronically dehydrated even though we do not realise it. This causes our body to malfunction and fatty blockages to form in our hip and thigh areas and elsewhere.

Two thirds of our bodies are made up of water and so we need to be properly hydrated all the time. Research has shown that increasing water intake significantly decreases chronic aches and pains and the risk of colon, breast and bladder cancer.

Water is crucial for:

• helping chemical reactions such as the burning of glucose and the breakdown of fat for energy
• transporting vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and other substances throughout the body
• carrying digestive juices
• lubricating joints, eyeballs, nasal passages, and the intestines
• acting as a shock absorber for eyes and spinal cord
• keeping body temperature constant
• removing wastes through the kidneys and helping solid waste pass through the intestines

Dehydration causes:

• the metabolism to slow down by as much as 3%, even if it is just mild dehydration
• fatty deposits to gather on hips and thighs
• water retention, which results in bloating and puffy eyes
• thirst that is mistaken for hunger pangs that lead to overeating
• headaches
• stomach discomfort
• fatigue
• nausea
• muscle stiffness
• joint aches
• mental fogginess
• poor skin complexion

Water and Cellulite

When you are dehydrated, your body temperature drops slightly, and this causes your body to store fat as a way to help raise or maintain the temperature. Make sure to drink enough liquids, preferably at least 64 ounces of water per day, to avoid this metabolic pitfall.

Water and Salt

Salt retains water in our system causing bloating, but the right amount of water dilutes these salts and helps flush out the excess water in your system. Most of our modern foods and pre-packs are too high in sodium content which causes hydration imbalance. Simply reducing sodium in your diet and increasing daily fluid intake can shift you into an optimal hydration zone.

What Should You Drink?

Your number one source of fluid intake should be water, and a good second are herbal teas.

Sodas, ice teas, and even your ‘diet’ sodas contain artificial sweeteners and other additives that cause headaches, puffiness, and bloating that undermine your health and your attempts to lose weight. The best course of action is to read the label. If you can’t understand all the ingredients, don’t drink it!

Alcohol and caffeine-based drinks such as tea, coffee, soft drinks and energy drinks are diuretics and so dehydrate you. You should compensate the dehydration caused by one cup of coffee or one unit of alcohol by drinking two glasses of water.

How Much Should You Drink?

People tend to go to extremes when it comes to drinking water – they either drink too little or too much. Actually, the amount of water you should drink depends on you. If the recommended 8 glasses a day make you feel bloated or visit the bathroom too often, you are over-hydrated and need to consume less water. If you live in a hot climate or lead a very active lifestyle, you might need to consume more.

When Should You Drink?

When you feel thirsty, of course! But also as soon as you rise up in the morning and just before you go to sleep at night. Drinking water as soon as you wake up stimulates the metabolism and opens the Chi.

During the day, a glass of water 20 minutes before a meal helps to stimulate the gastric juices and so aids digestion.

Another glass of water about 2 hours after a meal is also in order.

Drink 20 minutes before exercising, and during hot weather it is good to keep a small bottle of water handy to sip from as you might become dehydrated without noticing.