It’s no secret that we live in an era of instant gratification. We know what we want, and we want it now. From faster internet, to netflix binges. From online shopping to uber and social media. These days, all of our immediate desires can be met at the click of a button.
So when it comes to things that actually take time, like weight loss or clearing our skin, we have become more impatient than ever. We are desperate for a quick fix.
I will be the first to say I don’t really believe there is a quick fix for anything that has to do with long-term health and fitness. Seeing results takes time and most importantly consistency. Screw the diet pills, detox teas, and juice cleanses. That shit just doesn’t work.
But, there are some things that can be “fixed” in the moment that will ultimately help you achieve these long-term health and fitness goals, with my favourite tool in your toolbox…a glass of water.
Drinking more water was the first habit I added to my day-to-day routine that set me on the path to my successful weight loss and overall lifestyle change. When I added more water to my diet, I noticed it affected 4 major things:
1. Hunger Cues
Have you ever had a snack-fest in front of the couch where you were just eating everything in site, not really getting full. Then all of a sudden, you drank some water and boom! You couldn’t be more full, to the point you actually feel sick? This has happened to me so many times and it is because it is so easy to mistake our thirst cues for hunger cues. Often times we think we are hungry, but really we are just thirsty. This causes us to overeat to feel satisfied, making the thirst more real, eating more, and the cycle goes on and on. So now, what I like to do, is have a glass of water a few minutes before I eat. Whether it’s a full meal, or a quick snack, try and have some water. Wait a couple moments and then see if you are actually hungry, or if you really needed that large of a portion you served for yourself. This is a really good habit to get into that can stop excessive overeating.
2. Sugar Cravings
Similarly to hunger pangs, our sugar cravings aren’t always what they seem – simply craving sugar. Sometimes we are tired so our brains are triggering us to take action to wake ourselves up – like grabbing something sweet to eat. Other times, you guessed it, we are just thirsty. Our minds do an incredible job at convincing us we need to have something sweet after a meal. And, obviously, I give in most of the time. But when I am trying to be more mindful, I come back to this tool, grab a glass of water, and I can promise that nine times out of ten, my sugar craving actually goes away once I have that water. It isn’t rocket science and it sounds super easy. But I know more than anyone that convinving myself to have water when my brain is craving sugar is no easy fete. So don’t be hard on yourself if you aren’t able to sub the chocolate for some H20 every day. You are human after all.
3. Exhaustion/Mental Fog
On the days I feel my groggiest, like I never properly woke up, I know right away it’s because I haven’t had enough water. Our bodies are made up of over 60% water. We need to constantly replenish these amazing, intricate systems that keep our bodies alive by fueling with water. But what do we do when we feel tired and sluggish? We grab a cup of coffee or have some sugar. And I don’t need to tell how you dehydrating that can be. This is why I always preach to have a glass of water first thing in the morning, before your coffee. Try the same tactic in the afternoon. Have a large glass, wait a few minutes and if you still feel overly exhausted, reach for alternative sources like green tea or fruit with natural sugars.
4. Headaches
My lack of headaches was the first major change I noticed when I started drinking more water. I was pretty much an Advil addict, taking 2 every single day without realizing. I would go through Costco-sized bottles of those little green gel tablets like it wasn’t a big deal. I cringe just thinking about it. When I started swapping in water, without specifically targeting my headaches, I was able to completely get rid of them. It was mind blowing to me! This was several years ago, but even to this day, if I start to feel a headache coming on, I will have a glass of water first. You know the drill, wait a few minutes, and if the headache persists, I’ll then take something if I have to.
Drinking more water really can be a quick fix to help reduce pain, exhaustion, hunger and sugar cravings. But I do know it’s not easy so I will leave you with a couple suggestions on how to incorporate more water into your diet:
1. Always start your day with a glass of water before you do anything else
2. Keep a refillable water bottle in your bag
3. Add lemon or fruit to make it taste better
4. Set a reminder in your phone every hour to drink
Do you have any other tips to help you drink more water? Share below!
xoxo