Feel Better Fast: Drink Water

You know those people always filling their water bottles at the office cooler? Shopping with a water bottle in hand? Ordering water with lemon at restaurants? Well, I've never been of them. And I had no desire be one of them. Until last September.

You see, I'd gained a significant amount of weight over the last three years (partially because I'd just turned 30. Thanks a lot, Mother Nature!) When I finally got so big that I was wearing my "I'll never be this size" jeans . . . well, actually, that didn't even do it for me. I had to get one size bigger than that before I decided to make a change. And the first thing (because, let's face it -- it's the easiest thing!) I did was trade my diet sodas for water.

The plan: eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day, every day. At first, because I wasn't used to it, I had to force it down. But I discovered that adding a little dash of flavor really helps. I've tried just about every powder mix and fruit twist, and my favorite water-spicer-upper is the orange-flavored Crystal Light in the Sunrise Series. It has extra Vitamin C, and is as yummy as an orange soda (an old favorite I gave up). Sparkling water is another favorite -- and the bubbles help digestion!

Yes, at first I had to make way more trips to the bathroom than normal. But it's good for the circulation to walk around. Before, I was one of those office ladies sitting at her desk for hours on end. (Sometimes my bum would actually fall asleep!) And my body really liked being hydrated. Go figure! I mean, I'd been dehydrated for three decades. Suddenly, I had more energy. And -- get this -- I started to lose weight. I hadn't even changed my diet yet!

You see, if you don't give your body all the water it needs, it holds on to every drop it gets. When you do hydrate, your body stops storing water like you're in the Sahara. And that's worth a few pounds of body weight. It seemed the more water I drank, the more weight I lost -- about a pound a day for an entire week. Even better: I wasn't as hungry. You'll definitely eat less if you drink water before and during meals.

It's been eight whole months since I started drinking water, and I still drink water all day, every day. And I've kept the weight off! It's so easy. My body functions better. I feel better. I look better. (Everyone loves glowing skin, right ladies?) And I'm definitely healthier. So take it from this reformed water-hater: Drink at least 8 glasses each day. Your body will love you for it.