HEALTH A good watering

A good watering


Veronica Mannion

Water, water everywhere, but still we don’t drink enough. The old adage that we should drink eight 240ml glasses a day has been called into disrepute, but a common sense approach still holds: If you’re thirsty, drink some water. It’s not rocket science, and there are lots of health benefits.
One of the most important things you can do to lose weight is to drink water. Why? Because your body’s metabolism needs water to function properly. Dehydration means a sluggish metabolism, which means fat does not get metabolised as fast as it should.
Fatigue, particularly the ‘afternoon slump’, is often due to dehydration. Keep an eye on your water intake. It’s also important to stay hydrated while exercising, as you will lose it by sweating.
From my own experience, I find drinking a large glass of warm water along with my herbal tea is a great way to start my day. Not only am I rehydrating, I am also helping to cleanse my body of any toxins.
Drinking herbal teas is another great way to get water into you. If you are tea or coffee lover, watch out – these drinks are diuretics, and diuretics dehydrate. Why not replace one cup with an herbal tea or a slice of lemon?
Drinking green tea in the evening time can boost your energy. Studies have shown that green tea can stimulate metabolism, helping it to burn another 80 calories a day if you drink four to six cups or take a supplement containing green tea.

Veronica Mannion runs EasySlimFitness classes in Westport, Castlebar, Claremorris and Ballina (www.easyslimfitness.com). She can be contacted at 087 2308946 or easyfitveronica@yahoo.com.