The Word on Water

[luv2bike]

I know that we've all heard that we should drink, drink, drink plenty of water when dieting. And only water will do. You don't count coffee, tea or soda toward your quota.

Lately I've heard that the minmum of 10 eight oz. glasses of water per day may be unnecessary. I still believe that it's important for Atkineers and other low carb dieters because with keeping carbs so low they're in danger of becoming dehydrated. However the SBD plan is not a low carb plan ...... it's a "good" carb plan.

I recently got this in my email. South beach puts out a newsletter called "The Daily Dish" and here's what Dr. Agatson says about water consumption.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to keep track of how much water you drink each day. Instead of following the frequently recommended guideline (eight cups daily, which turns out to be an arbitrary amount), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggests drinking when you're thirsty. By using this gauge, studies show that most Americans do a good job of keeping themselves hydrated throughout the day — without keeping track of water consumption. Even better news: Other beverages — including caffeinated ones, like coffee and diet soda — can help you meet your fluid needs, according to the IOM. Low-fat and fat-free milk are other South Beach Diet®-friendly beverages that can help you meet your fluid requirements. Foods that contain a lot of water, such as vegetables and fruits (Phase 2), also count.

On average, women require 91 ounces of water each day and men require 125 ounces, though athletes and people who live in warmer climates may need more. It's worth repeating, however, that you don't need to keep track of your fluid consumption. You can tell you're not getting enough water if you develop increased thirst, dry lips and mouth, headache, fatigue, and darker urine. Consult with your physician if you notice any of these symptoms.

I hope you find this helpful.

[Sadie147]

I actually cut back on my water a couple of months ago. I was forcing myself to drink 120+ ozs a day, and not only was I not getting a full nights sleep because i was getting up every couple of hours for bathroom breaks, but I actually was finding the water was bloating me. On days when i was too busy or out and couldn't keep up with my 120 ozs, I found i wasn't nearly as bloated. I now drink about 64 ozs and maybe a bit more when I go to the gym. I"m not going to force myself anymore!

Though I do think getting enough water is very good for you..I'm not sure there are benefits to overdoing it.

[luv2bike]

I had this sitting in my email box and thought I'd post it here. I think this applies to many of us here on the board. I know that I have a tendency to weigh far too often when I'm dieting. Then if I don't see the numbers moving in the right direction I get discouraged and blow it.

Stop Scale Obsession

Do you weigh yourself every day? Do you worry about even the slightest change in your weight? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, you may be obsessing over the scale — and if you're trying to maintain healthy habits, this behavior can actually be counterproductive.

The truth is, your weight may change from day to day for many reasons. Fluid retention, hormonal fluctuations, constipation, and even the food you ate right before stepping on the scale can cause daily ups and downs. These variations can be misleading and worrisome if you don't understand them. For an accurate measurement of your weight, weigh yourself only once each week and on the same scale every time (different scales may give different readings). An even better method of measuring your success is to let your belt be your guide. If your clothes fit better and you feel better, then you're getting healthier — even if the bathroom scale doesn't show big changes.

Ultimately, it's up to you to stop scale obsession. Weight loss takes time, so patience is required. Dr. Agatston, preventive cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet® says, "It's a marathon, not a sprint." Remember, if you're practicing weight-healthy habits like those recommended by The South Beach Diet®, you will enjoy better health, and the extra pounds will come off in the process — whether you step on the scale every day or never again.