REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE DRINKING MORE WATER

Health and fitness expert, Olivia Williams, shares the benefits of drinking water and how to incorporate more of it into your diet

Are you thirsty?

Most Christians are running around all day and forgetting to drink enough water. This kind of dehydration is easily mistaken for hunger, which causes the urge to eat instead of satisfying your thirst. Dehydration causes your body to secrete aldosterone, a hormone that causes water retention which can cause your body to store fat and reduce body temperature.

A miracle cure!

Water is the most foundational aspect of health, as our body is made up of about 70% of it. It’s no wonder God “founded and established the earth on the waters” (Psalm 24:1), as without it there would be no life!

Water beautifully describes our identification as believers with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus used water to symbolise the Holy Spirit and it’s often referred to as a miracle cure, because it is!

What are the benefits?

Water keeps your body hydrated; without it, your body won’t function at its best and maintain proper hydration. When you drink water, it assists the cooling system from hot flushes, aids digestion, assists weight management, removes toxins, keeps joints subtle, and gives you firmer, fresher skin.

Is it OK to drink tap water?

I don’t recommend tap water because of the many impurities it can contain. Purified water flushes out the poison and toxins from the body that cause weight gain and disease. Drinking water can reduce your appetite and will make you feel full.

What are the signs of dehydration?

Your urine colour may be an indication of dehydration. Some body signals of dehydration include headaches, fatigue, mood changes, weakness, confusion, and other symptoms. On your next trip to the bathroom, check how dark your urine is; gradually increase the amount of water you drink daily and aim to lighten it by the end of each day. There are various recommendations on how much water to drink every day — try to aim for at least 6-8 glasses.

Time to hydrate yourself

Here are some tips that can help you drink more water today.

1. Ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” If the answer is no, drink a glass of water and wait 30 minutes before asking yourself the question again.

2. Make a rule that each time you exercise you’ll finish the bottle. It’s important to replace the fluid lost through sweating.

3. Don’t like the taste of water or never been taught the importance of drinking it? Try adding a slice or two of lime, lemon or fresh fruits.

4. Sometimes even finding a straw or water motivational bottle can make all the difference!

5. Drink water first thing in the morning, before having your first cup of coffee. Drink at least 500ml of warm water with a dash of cinnamon (it increases fullness). Be careful, as caffeine and sugar 'steal' water from your body, which can cause more harm than good.

6. If you’re still struggling to consume enough water, then experiment with eating water-rich foods, such as watermelon, cucumber or celery.

Now, take a minute to think about why water carried so much power in the Bible and the power it has to help you lose weight and transform your health.

Creating healthy habits

Next, think about trading one unhealthy habit in for a healthy habit. For example, drink water instead of consuming fizzy drinks or concentrated fruit juices. If you take the time to give your body what it needs, it will improve your health more than you think!

Here’s a challenge

Challenge yourself to drink clean natural water instead of reaching for a soft drink this week. And don't forget to ask God to help you find ways to keep you hydrated so you can avoid being thirsty.

Are you ready to up your water game?

If you’ve loved what you’ve learnt and want more, why not head over to www.scriptfit.com to download the full guide? Also, if you have any health and fitness-related questions, email me at olivia@scriptfit.com