Dehydration is the leading cause of daytime fatigue and most people aren’t even aware of it. “Well I drink lots of fluids during the day,” people will often report but how much actual water are they drinking? Not all drinks are created equal If you are sipping coffee and tea throughout the day you should know that they are both diuretics, which means that they will actually increase the production of urine and have you running to the bathroom more often. That will add to your dehydration and you might not even know it because you think that you’re drinking lots of liquids. Drinking diet drinks are not a good substitute for water either as the artificial sweeteners have been linked with serious health concerns. Fruit juices and smoothies hydrate but experts advise avoiding sugar, as this can cause energy dips in the day. Don’t wait for the signs Many people believe they are dehydrated when they start to feel thirsty, yet other symptoms of dehydration appear before this, including fatigue and tiredness, headaches and poor concentration. Don’t wait to feel thirsty – take regulars sips of water throughout the day to ward off fatigue. You’ve tried all the fad diets and now it’s time to look no further than your kitchen sink. Water is an easy adjunct to any diet and exercise regime and will help you lose weight without extra effort. Curb your appetite Drinking eight ounces of water before a meal will help reduce your hunger and help you to eat less. When you feel like a snack, try substituting a large glass of water instead. Burn those calories Every time you eat or drink your body has to process what’s coming in. Drinking ice-cold water boosts your metabolism even more because your body burns off more calories by warming up the water. Lubricate your work out If exercise is part of your weight loss regime (it should be) drinking water before and after a work out will energize you and help your muscles and joints work more efficiently. Energize Can’t make it to the gym? You may be feeling fatigued because of dehydration. Drinking more water will keep you energized. Sweet dreams Water is essential for almost all of your bodily functions, especially brain function. Being dehydrated may disrupt healthy brain function while sleeping. If you are well rested, you’re more likely to make it to that spin class. Flush it out Drinking water removes by-products of fat and flushes toxins from the body that can lead to disease. The hard facts Researchers estimate that over the course of a year, a person who increases his water consumption by 1.5 liters a day would burn an extra 17,400 calories, for a weight loss of approximately five pounds.    
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