Water is one of the key ingredients you can use to speed up metabolism and lose weight. This often ignored nutrient is essential to every one of the body's cells and is needed for proper chemical function. Your metabolism is no exception. It is not surprising then that water accounts for about 70 percent of the body's composition. Drinking enough water, especially cold water throughout the day, can help speed up your metabolism and aid you in your weight loss goals.
Step 1
Drink at least two liters of water every day. That's about eight glasses, or 64 oz., of water, using 8 oz. glasses. Health care providers at the Mayo Clinic say most people need to drink two liters of water daily in order to stay well hydrated. If you are extremely active, live in a hot climate or work under hot conditions, it might be necessary for you to drink more water than that. Drinking enough water helps ensure that your body's chemical processes, such as metabolism, are able to perform efficiently.
Step 2
Fill your glass with cold water rather than water that has reached room temperature. Your body will work to heat the cold water you drink until the temperature reaches that of the rest of the water in your body. This thermogenic process can help to increase your metabolism for a while after you drink the water. It takes energy to increase the temperature of the water. Expending energy has the added benefit of burning calories.
Step 3
Keep the water coming throughout the day. According to weight loss expert Dr. Mark Lawrence, if you drink just three glasses of cold water throughout the day, hypothetically, you could lose two or three pounds in a year. However, if you are looking to lose weight, diet and exercise are still your best options, as there are no quick fixes when it comes to shedding excess pounds.
Step 4
Hydrate your body with cold water so that it can metabolize foods properly. When you do not drink enough water, your body goes into a protective mode in order to retain sufficient water for your body's vital chemical processes. If this is the case, your body begins to focus on storing fluids and fuel rather than metabolizing foods and burning off excess calories.
Step 5
Energize your body by drinking cold water. It is not uncommon to feel tired if you are not drinking at least eight glasses of water each day. When you feel lethargic, you are not likely to be as motivated to exercise. Drinking plenty of cold water will give you the energy you need for aerobic exercise, which will boost your metabolism. Another benefit of drinking cold water is that it is absorbed into the bloodstream more easily.
Step 6
Drink a cold and refreshing glass of water before each meal. You will be less likely to eat more than you should during your meal as a result of feeling fuller and having your thirst quenched.
Tips and Warnings
- Drinking cold water alone is not enough to speed up your metabolism or make you lose weight. You need to eat a healthy diet and be physically active for optimal health and weight loss.
Member Comments