A water diet for weight loss is important in human nutrition. After all, life on Earth is impossible without water. Its effectiveness cannot be overestimated and it is very easy to lose weight with the help of water. Scientists have long established that the body is almost 70-80% water. A decrease of even more than 10% in important fluid can lead to negative consequences. It can even be fatal. Without water, it is impossible to ensure the full functioning of the human body.
Absolutely all biochemical processes in the human body occur with the help of water. The liquid provides a high rate of chemical reactions. With its help, quite complex complex compounds are formed. It delivers nutrients to all organs, manages thermoregulation and digestion, removes toxins and waste, controls muscle contraction and redistribution of electrons, as well as a huge number of other functions.
Pros and cons of a water diet
There are advantages and disadvantages of a water diet. People strive to achieve the coveted ideal figure. They waste a lot of time and money. Consumers purchase diuretic and laxative teas. They try to reduce weight with pills and capsules. Many people purchase thermal underwear that enhances sweating and stock up on other weight loss products. When people engage in such “drying” of the body, it leads to dehydration. This “waterless therapy” promotes very short-term weight loss, and has very dubious benefits for the body.
According to experts, the problem of excess weight in people is mainly explained by insufficient consumption of ordinary fluid. The solution to this problem is to update the drinking regime.
How to properly go on a water diet?
Nutritionists, when prescribing one or another dietary regimen to their patients, recommend the mandatory consumption of large volumes of clean water. Why does a person need to drink so much? It is beneficial for the whole body and the process of losing weight. Most overweight people have a lack of fluid due to varying degrees of dehydration. Excess weight is a major factor in poor health.
Due to constant “water deficiency”, a lack of energy appears in the body. Dehydrated cells are not able to produce full energy. It is important to know how not to fall off the water diet. The cellular structure, depleted by such exploitation, needs replenishment of energy. With minimal fluid intake, the body takes it from food, so it needs to increase the diet, which leads to the appearance of fat deposits.
In the hypothalamus, the hunger center is located next to the thirst center, so people, confusing these needs, give preference to food when fluid intake is sufficient. As a person ages, the activity of the thirst center decreases, so the consumption of many older people decreases.
How much water should you drink
Humans are 80% water. And this reserve constantly needs to be replenished. What do we usually do? All day at work, covered in soap, I grabbed something quickly and dry and ran on. Or drank coffee on the go, no better either.
So there is no time to stop, and the body gradually gets used to drinking little. We don’t want to, and everything seems to be fine, but our health begins to act up, “then the paws ache, the tail falls off.” Well, you have brought yourself to constant dehydration, thickening of the blood, and then hypertension is not far away, and a lush bouquet of other diseases.
And the reflection in the mirror is not pleasing - puffiness, bags under the eyes, loose skin, gray complexion. Sound familiar?
So, stop, stop! Enough with the horror stories. If you recognize yourself in the previous lines, then it’s not too late to fix everything and start drinking water as you should. And then your health, well-being and appearance will improve, you will see for yourself.
Let's start with the fact that there is a formula: you need to drink 1 liter for every 30 kg of weight. Soups and teas also count, but give priority to clean water. And the morning intake of water is the most important.
You should definitely start your morning with 1-2 glasses of clean water on an empty stomach. And the morning water should not be cold. Cold water causes stress in the body, vasospasm, and narrowing of the ducts. There is no need to give your body such a shock right in the morning! It is harmful.
General rules for a water diet
A water diet for the lazy requires compliance with its basic rules, namely:
- The daily volume of water should be greater than the amount of food eaten;
- It is best to drink water at room temperature, ideally it should be heated to 30-38°C;
- Daily fluid intake should be basic; it is better to replace teas and juices;
- Individual calculation of daily water consumption should correspond to the ratio - 40 ml per 1 kg of body weight. This volume is adjusted in accordance with the weight lost (in hot weather it is possible to increase the volume of consumption);
- I follow, after waking up, drink a glass of clean water on an empty stomach to activate metabolic processes, and immediately before bed;
- Remember to take a glass 30 minutes before meals. This will help the digestion process proceed more intensively and help reduce the total amount of food consumed;
- Follow the hourly schedule on a water diet. The entire volume should consist of equal parts (approximately 200-250 ml). They should be drunk throughout the next day at approximately equal intervals;
- It is forbidden to drink water with food. It is not recommended to drink liquid within an hour and a half after eating. This can cause a decrease in the saturation of gastric juice and inhibition of digestion processes;
- Remember the importance of reducing the amount of salt you eat (to prevent swelling). It is impossible to completely exclude salt from the diet (to prevent disorders associated with the existing water-salt balance);
- If an unbearable feeling of hunger appears in between main meals, it should be quenched by drinking water. Often, signals sent by the brain are often incorrectly interpreted by the body;
- The process of drinking water should be slow, in small sips;
- A single serving should be limited to 200-250 ml (more liquid will cause stomach distension);
- To increase the effectiveness of weight loss, you need to take care of a fasting day on one product that is included in the list of healthy foods before starting.
Existing varieties consist of two main categories. What is constant for both species is the correct way out of the water diet.
- The first category includes the mono-diet itself, or, more simply, fasting, which is often practiced to cleanse the body, which is saturated with various toxins. It lasts no more than three days. The water mono-diet is dangerous to health, but at the same time quite effective in terms of weight loss. Three days of such fasting are enough to really get rid of 4-5 extra pounds.
- The construction of the second category is due to the principle associated with limiting the food consumed and its calorie content and simultaneously increasing the amount of moisture consumed (namely water, and not any other liquid). The difference between these categories is only in the duration of the observed regimen (from 3 days to 4 weeks). The result of weight loss with such lightweight options on water is less pronounced, but quite significant. How long can you stay on a water diet? For example, seven days with a limited range of products is enough to get rid of 3-4 kilograms.
How to drink water by the hour?
8.00
Scientists have proven that after waking up, it is very important to immediately drink at least 1 glass of warm water, adding a slice of lemon to it. Drinking a glass of water will “start” the body, help normalize hydration levels, and prepare the body for eating.
11.00
At this time, drink a glass of clean water (preferably at room temperature). The main goal is to reduce your appetite, which means you will definitely eat less at lunch.
13:00
You need to drink two glasses of clean water: half an hour before lunch and during. Some people stubbornly believe that you shouldn’t drink water during meals. This is partly true - it is better to give up juices and carbonated drinks. But water at room temperature will only improve digestion.
You can add lemon or lime slices to the water (Photo: pixabay.com)
16:00
Many people fill the time between lunch and dinner in different ways, consuming sweets, snacks and other not entirely healthy snacks during this period. It’s better to fill it with water and drink at least 2 glasses.
Benefits and harms
Every person knows about the benefits of water. To maintain health and energy throughout the day, you need to remember to constantly replenish lost fluids. If its entry into the human body stops, his death will occur literally within three days. It is better to drink more than less. Oversaturation of the body is impossible. All excess moisture will naturally leave the body.
A hydrated system helps maintain optimal health. Is a water diet healthy? Health benefits can be provided. The main thing is to follow certain rules. No harm will come to you. Among the main advantages of the described scheme, the following should be highlighted:
- Weight loss. This process occurs not due to the loss of fluid, but due to a decrease in the need for food. The stomach on such a system will be constantly filled, the person will not experience hunger. You should find out what you can eat on a water diet.
- Cleansing the body. The functioning of numerous organs directly depends on the cleansing of the organs. This fact is confirmed by numerous studies. Necessary nutrients reach all cells of the body. The organs are also freed from unfavorable decay substances. Accumulated toxins can be flushed out with fluid volume. Just as it washes away the usual external dirt, the inner part of the body is cleansed of toxins in the same way. A water-salt diet significantly improves the health of the body.
- Normalization of blood pressure. If a person suffers from pressure surges, one can judge that there is simply not enough fluid in the body. The vessels have to constantly contract and expand to allow blood to fill the hematopoietic system. If you go on a water diet and follow a proper drinking regime, you can quickly get rid of high blood pressure.
- Optimal regulation of body temperature . This is especially true for summer. People who have heart disease and blood pressure problems should drink constantly during this period;
- Significant improvement in the movement of joints and organs. If a person consumes little fluid, this will automatically have an adverse effect on the entire body system. Even if you already have some diseases, consuming the required amount will allow you to restore your internal organs.
- Rejuvenation. A water diet for men helps improve the functioning of the body. At the same time, it starts regeneration. Cells filled with moisture rejuvenate much faster, accordingly, wrinkles on the skin go away, hair becomes healthy and strong.
Important! This procedure must be followed for one month. Then there is a break for a month with consumption as usual. The procedure can then be repeated.
Is a water diet harmful?
Among the shortcomings we mention the following:
- if before using the technique, a person’s fluid intake was limited, in the first days discomfort may be observed due to increased kidney function;
- Drinking excessive amounts of liquid is not recommended. This will lead to the leaching of both harmful and beneficial substances;
- consumption of vitamins and minerals.
Water diet results
The main result is that the way of eating does not require much effort. The decrease in body weight is slow but constant. This method of eliminating extra pounds has little effect on the general well-being of women and men, has virtually no contraindications and is quite cheap, since it does not require the constant purchase of expensive ingredients for dietary dishes.
Most of the nutrients, vitamins, mineral salts, etc., necessary for the human body during a water diet, continue to enter tissues and cells, which contributes to their normal functioning. Such fasting does not interfere with the functioning of the immune and hormonal systems.
Since the basis of this diet is liquid, the structure of the skin and its elasticity are not affected, as with most food restrictions. In addition, the entry of excess water into the tissue cleanses the cells, rejuvenates them, restores hair and smoothes out wrinkles on the skin.
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Many experts consider it quite important that the use of a water diet does not have a depressing effect on the human central nervous system, does not cause depression, and allows you to remain cheerful and full of energy. Delicious food is an influx of positive emotions, and a water diet allows you to preserve them.
Using this method of fighting weight develops the useful habit of drinking plenty of fluids in the morning and 2 hours before bedtime. In addition, people who have used a water diet must learn to replace constant snacks with a glass of plain water, which will help them maintain optimal shape even after the end of the period of water restrictions in food.
Water diet menu
When considering the nuances associated with following a water mono-diet, it should be remembered that the procedure associated with such a weight loss regimen is absolute fasting, potentially dangerous to human health. It is strongly recommended to limit the mono-diet to three days. If negative phenomena are detected, the procedure is stopped ahead of schedule. Not every body can withstand even a three-day course without harm.
A water diet, limited to 1-2 fasting days or a three-day mono-diet, is very simple. It consists of drinking exclusively water (a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice is allowed) and completely avoiding any other solid or liquid foods.
Drinking clean water is necessary whenever you feel hungry. During the day you should drink from two and a half to four liters. The process of losing weight is combined with deep cleansing of the intestines, which is important for the fastest reduction of volume in the abdominal area. After such a fast, you should not immediately resume your usual diet. The recovery period after a 3-day water mono-diet should be from 10 to 12 days. At this time, the nutritional diet should be modified by the gradual and consistent introduction of basic macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats).
The rules of the water diet do not provide for serious food restrictions. It is enough to exclude some foods that can damage the digestive system.
Experts recommend eating small portions.
Sample menu
Normalization of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract is achieved through daily consumption of 1 glass of low-fat kefir or yogurt without added sugar before bedtime.
If you can’t completely give up tea and coffee drinks right away, you can replace them with herbal infusions. For example, mint, lemon balm and chamomile have a beneficial effect on a losing weight. You can also add a slice of lemon, 2-3 rose hips or ginger: this will add flavor to the drink and saturate it with vitamins.
Water diet menu for 7 days
The water diet for weight loss in 7 days involves not only drinking water, but also some food restrictions. It is necessary to follow a water diet for a week according to the sample menu.
Should be excluded:
- Salt and all salty foods;
- Sugar and products that contain it;
- Coffee;
- Foods with complex carbohydrates, such as porridge.
The menu table below contains a water diet for 7 days for weight loss at home. Please note that snacks are allowed, but only unsweetened fruits or dried fruits in small quantities.
Day of the week | Breakfast | Dinner | Dinner |
Monday | Boiled egg – 1 pc. Rye bread Cheese - a small piece | Boiled chicken fillet Salad of cucumber, tomato, cheese and herbs (can be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil) | Lean boiled beef Stewed vegetables |
Tuesday | Cottage cheese (preferably low fat) Rye bread Herbal infusion | Low-fat boiled fish Rye bread Vegetable salad (can be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil) | Boiled eggs Cabbage and tomato salad Rye bread Small piece of cheese |
Wednesday | Vegetable salad (can be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil) Boiled chicken fillet Rye bread Tea (preferably green) | Soup based on vegetables and lean beef Rye bread | Steamed fish cutlet Fresh vegetables Rye bread |
Thursday | Boiled egg Fruits Tea (preferably green) | Boiled chicken fillet Salad of any vegetables (can be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil) | Baked fish Fresh vegetables |
Friday | Cottage cheese (preferably low fat) Several nuts Rye bread A piece of cheese | Veal broth soup Rye bread | Vegetable salad (can be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil) Lean boiled meat |
Saturday | Rye bread Hard cheese Fruits | Vegetable soup Boiled chicken fillet Rye bread | Fish casserole Fresh vegetables |
Sunday | Boiled egg Rye bread A piece of cheese Green tea | Vegetable stew Rye bread | Lean baked veal Vegetable salad (can be seasoned with vegetable or olive oil) |
The water diet for weight loss allows you to lose up to 10 extra pounds, 3-4 of which will soon return.
Do's and Don'ts
When choosing a water mono-diet, the only product acceptable for consumption will be the filtered liquid itself. Its taste can be varied only with a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice. The results of a water diet depend on your diet.
A monotonous mono-diet menu makes the following diet more attractive:
- eggs (chicken/quail);
- whole wheat bread;
- low-fat cottage cheese/cheese and liquid fermented milk products;
- various vegetables;
- honey;
- fruits (primarily apples and citrus fruits) and dried fruits;
- nuts;
- lean meat and poultry;
- cereal porridge;
- lean fish and seafood;
- various teas, freshly squeezed juices.