Certified Health Coach Amy Bowers of Optimum Wellness & Nutrition recommends starting your day off with water and lemon (and optional apple cider vinegar). Warm water and lemon aid with the digestive system and the liver and wakes them both up in the morning! It can also help boost your metabolism, and the lemon gives an extra immune boost of vitamin C (win-win!).
How much water should we really drink?
When you start your day with 8-16+ oz of lemon water first thing, before coffee, or anything else, it will also help us get to our daily water goal. We should be drinking about 8-10 8oz. glasses of water, daily. You can also remember to drink about half of your weight in ounces in water. In other words, if you weigh 150 lbs., you should drink 75 oz. of water. Becoming dehydrated can be very dangerous. It can cause headaches, lethargy, dizziness, and many other serious health issues. If you become dehydrated, try adding a pinch of sea salt to your water. It will help with electrolyte replenishment.
It’s true, we are mostly water:
About 60% of the human body is made up of water. Water is essential for our existence. Every cell and organ needs water and it is especially important for our kidneys to function. We lose water every day through sweating, activity, and even just simply breathing. It is SO important that we replace that water we lose.
Lose weight with water:
Water aids weight loss (YAY!), helps with digestion, detoxifies the body, lubricates the joints, regulates body temperature, hydrates the skin, and gives us energy. Water also helps regulate our body temperature and removes toxins through perspiration and regular bowel movements.
Loosen up with water:
Water is also vital for lubricating joints and protecting the brain. Drinking water plays an important role in our daily functioning. Water also ensures that information is passed from tissue to tissue. There are SO many reasons to drink water and stay hydrated!
Although it is always better to drink your daily intake of water through pure, filtered water, black coffee and tea also count towards your daily recommendations (Wahoo!) Carry your water bottle around with you all day and refill every time it gets low!
Tip:
Bored with plain water? Make spa water by infusing fruits/veggies and herbs in your water or sparkling water (AKA Mocktails!). Some good options are lemon and lime, cucumber and mint, strawberry and basil, or orange and rosemary!
Certified Health Coach and Integrative Health Specialist Amy Bowers believes in bio-individuality and works to create a personalized plan to help clients reach their health and wellness goals. For more enticing recipes, follow Amy on social @optimumwellnessandnutrition