Drinking water can be the easiest thing you do to lose weight. It is the only true 'magic potion' for weight loss. Water suppresses your appetite and helps your body release stored fat. When you exercise, your body begins to break down the fat cells. You need to drink plenty of water so your body can flush out the fat.



Drinking water also increases your basal metabolic rate. Your body has to process the water, and in doing so burns additional calories. Studies also show that drinking cold water burns more calories because your body first has to bring the water up to your internal temperature.

So how much water is enough? Probably not the eight glasses we've always been told. Eight 8-ounce glasses is fine if you only weigh 130 pounds. To calculate how much water you need, divide your weight in half. You should drink that many ounces of water each day. If you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water.

I know what you're thinking: "There's no way I can drink that much water!" But rest assured, you can, and your body will thank you for it. At first, you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom. But in about two weeks, your body will be fully hydrated and your bathroom breaks will level off. During those first few weeks of frequent pit stops, just think of it as part of your exercise program. Consider all the squats you're doing, and if you wear clothing like overalls, you'll be getting some good stretching in as you pull them on and off.

Drinking enough water helps your kidneys and liver function at optimal capacity. This is important because these organs are directly related to weight loss and more importantly fat loss. If you're not getting enough water, your kidneys can't function properly. When the kidneys don't function properly, the liver steps in to take on some of the kidney's work.

One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into energy. If the liver is helping the kidneys, it can't function as its optimal capacity, which results in less fat being metabolized.

Keep in mind that other drinks can count towards your water goal. Watch the calorie count so you don't end up drinking too many extra calories. Flavored water and iced tea are good substitutes if you don't especially care for the taste of water. But drinks with caffeine don't count towards your goal, and in fact count negatively. If you can't resist your morning coffee and aren't willing to switch to decaf, you'll need to increase your water consumption by that many additional ounces.

Try to reach your water goal by dinner. Don't try finished those last twenty ounces of water right before bed, because adequate sleep is also an important factor in losing weight.