Water, water everywhere
… So please get some to drink!
Did you know that your body is about 60 percent water by weight?
Some organs have an even higher percentage of water. Your brain? About 70 percent water. Your blood? Over 80 percent water. Your lungs? About 90 percent water.
Without adequate water intake, every system in your body slows down and becomes sluggish. It’s like those commercials for the oil that your car engine needs – when the engine oil gets sticky and gunky, your car breaks down. When your organs don’t get the water they need, they first start to take water from the less vital areas (like your skin, joints, bones, etc.) to supply the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Eventually, your whole body becomes inefficient and eventually breaks down.
How do you know you’re dehydrated?
First sign – thirst. Always drink water when you’re thirsty.
Other signs to look for –
- headache
- fatigue
- confusion
- loss of appetite
- flushed skin
- heat intolerance
- light-headedness
- dry mouth and eyes
- lack of skin elasticity
- stomach pains (can feel like hunger)
- slower metabolism (leads to weight gain)
So drink water. We recommend half your weight in ounces each day, up to a maximum of 100 ounces per day. So if you weigh 200 pounds or more, drink 100 ounces of water a day. If you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water a day.
