water everywhere they go these days. In fact, it has become the second most popular drink (behind soft drinks). But water lovers got a jolt recently when we heard that a new report had found that the benefits of drinking water may have been oversold. Apparently, the old suggestion to drink eight glasses a day was nothing more than a guideline, not based on scientific evidence.The list of reasons our body needs water is as plentiful as the functions in our body, so due to space limitations, here are 10 good reasons to drink more water.

1. Our blood is over 80 percent water and needs water to make healthy new blood cells.

2. Our bones are over 50 percent water and, you guessed it, need water to make healthy new bone cells.

3. Drinking more water actually helps lessen pain in our body by getting our lymphatic system moving. The lymphatic system is a network of nodes, tubes, vessels, and fluid that move waste out of our tissues. It requires water to function properly.

4. Water helps to eliminate wastes and toxins from our body through the lymphatic system, kidneys, and intestines.

5. Water lubricates your joints and helps reduce joint pain and protect against wear and tear.

6. Water regulates our metabolism so if our overweight chances are we may need more water.

7. Water balances body temperature.

8. Water helps to ensure adequate electrical functioning so your brain and nervous system function properly. Your brain and nervous system send out electrical signals to function properly. Researchers estimate that your brain gives off about the same amount of electricity as a 60 watt light bulb. So, there’s some truth to the image of a light bulb going on when someone has a good idea.

9. Water alleviates dehydration (as already mentioned that most people are chronically dehydrated).

10. Every cell and organ in our body requires adequate water to function properly.
Helpful Tips for Drinking Water and Weight Loss

Measure your water intake. Even if you think you are drinking “a lot of water,” measure your daily intake for a while. You might be surprised how much water you are actually drinking. The only way I am able to keep track of my water intake is to use a quart jar. My daily quota is two quarts, so it has been much easier for me to keep track of two quarts of water (rather than eight 8-ounce glasses, for example). As soon as you become fully hydrated and have established a daily water drinking habit, you will not need to measure your daily intake. However, it’s always a good idea to check it once in a while, especially if you notice any dehydration symptoms

Drinking before, during and after meals. To optimize nutrient absorption from food, drink 16 ounces of water 30 to 60 minutes before each meal. Avoid drinking any beverages (especially ice cold drinks) during meals. Cold drinks and sugary drinks will inhibit digestion. If anything, it is best to sip filtered water or warm herbal tea during meals. If you like coffee, try slimming green coffee in the morning for an all-natural metabolism booster. Wait at least 30 minutes after a meal to start drinking water again. Drink your remaining daily quota in between meals.

Try cold water between meals. Some studies indicates that water that is lower than body temperature will help with weight loss. According to the researchers, water that is cooled to about 70° F increases the rate at which calories are burned. The reason for this is simple: the body has to use considerable amounts of energy to warm the cold water up to body temperature. I don’t recommend icy cold water, especially during meals, because it can inhibit the digestive process.

After the obese or overweight person has graduated from the sitting exercises, swimming and pool fitness is a great alternative. In the water, there is much less load on the joints and bones. This greatly reduces the chance of injury and serious strain.The special properties of water can provide you with excellent benefits if you are trying to heal a back injury. Being in water provides a safe environment for working out your muscles and stretching your body. It also allows you to do more than you would on land by eliminating the constraints imposed by gravity.

A wide variety of exercises can be done in the pool or other body of water. Jumping, standing breaststrokes or arm swishes, and leg lifts and kicks are all great exercise for the obese and overweight.

Types of exercise
Exercises may be performed with or without pool equipment such as hand & feet flippers, different foam floats such as “noodles” and weights. They may also be held in different water depths, with some deep water classes providing float belts to assist exercises. Generally you don’t even need to be able to swim to participate in water exercise classes. 

Water squats are great for toning your lower body as well: stand in hip-deep water with feet apart. Bend your knees and squat as low as you can comfortably manage, using the side of the pool to steady your balance if necessary (but don’t use it to support your weight or you’ll lose the effect of the exercise). Return to standing. Repeat 5-10 times.

Other benefits

• High calorie burning during and after a workout.
• Renews your energy level as it releases your stress and tension.
• Privacy of the water: if you hate the idea of jumping around a room full of people in tight gym clothes, exercising under water is a great alternative.
• Exercising in water requires you to support only 50% of your body weight, making exercises easier to perform.
• You don’t need any special equipment, although there is a variety of equipment available for increasing variety, fitness and helping with floatation if required.
• Water’s buoyancy lowers the risk of stress-related injuries that some land exercises have
• The water’s resistance against your movements results in a higher workout intensity compared to land exercises.
• A massaging effect is created when your muscles are surrounded by water.
• With indoor pools, it’s a great year-round activity; although in the hotter months it’s one of the best ways to get a total body workout without overheating.
• You’ll come out of the water looking fresher and smelling nicer than many other exercise classes: no sweat, and no wet hair!

Water exercise is commonly advocated for people with the following conditions :Arthritis ,Back pain ,Joint problems ,MS ,Soft-tissue injury ,Cardiac patients ,Obesity.

If you suffer from any of these conditions, however, you should speak to your doctor before undertaking any exercise regime.