Water, Water Everywhere - The Importance of Staying Hydrated During An Orlando Summer

staying hydrated in florida

It’s official, the hot, humid Florida summer is officially here and like we do every year here in Orlando we’re already starting to sweat. And that is why it’s essential to stay hydrated, especially if you want to stay healthy and lose weight.

It makes up 60% of your body weight and 75% of your muscles and brain
Only 8-10 glasses per day are capable of significantly easing back pain and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers
A mere 2% drop within your body can trigger fuzzy short-term memory and trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on a computer screen or printed page
It flushes toxins out of vital organs
It carries nutrients to your cells
And nearly 75% of all Americans are chronically dehydrated and in 37% of Americans the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger

Water is your body’s principal component. And a lack of water can lead to dehydration making it hard for your body to carry out normal functions and even mild hydration can drain your energy and make you tired. Mild dehydration can also slow down your metabolism by as much as 3%. Not to mention, dehydration is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue.

Aside from keeping your body functioning smoothly, and helping you prevent heat stroke in our unbearably hot Orlando summers, water is a natural appetite suppressant. Don’t underestimate this statement. A lack of water can cause you to overeat or not be able to differentiate the difference between hunger and thirst. Not only does water play a vital role in cellular health, cognitive performance, and general well being, hydration supports weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. Staying hydrated is a simple and effective way to manage your weight and ensure your body performs optimally on all levels.

What Is the Role of the Water in Weight Loss and Weight Control?

Water directly affects energy levels. The more energy you have, the easier it is to stay active and burn calories.
Your metabolism is affected by your water intake. Hydration can boost your metabolism, in part because your body has to work to raise the water’s temperature to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Inversely, dehydration can slow down your metabolism.
Since your muscle tissue contains approximately 75% water, water helps maintain muscle tone which increases your body’s fat-burning capacity.
Water naturally suppresses the appetite and helps metabolize stored fat.

So, What Can You Do to Beat the Orlando Heat This Summer and Continue to Lose Weight?

Replenish the water in your body by consuming at least 8 cups of water every day.
Drink a cup of water when you first get up in the morning.
Carry a plastic water bottle when you are away from home.
Drink before, during and after exercise and in hot weather, drink water every 15 minutes.
If you feel hungry, drink a cup of water first to make sure you aren’t just thirsty.
Limit coffee and other caffeinated beverages since they are diuretics that cause your body to get riad of water.

How Do You Know If You’re Drinking Enough Water?

According to HealthWise, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 6.3 cups or more of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your water intake is probably adequate.

However, depending upon your activity level, climate, your health and if you are pregnant or not, you may need to drink more water.

Don’t just use thirst alone as your guide to adequate water intake. By the time you become thirsty, it’s possible that you are already slightly dehydrated. And as you age, your body is less able to sense dehydration and send your brain the signal that you are thirsty.

Make water your beverage of choice to stay healthy, hydrated and help boost your weight loss.