Water? Why does it work?

Does anyone have any idea of WHY chugging water all day (I swear I'm going to drown...) makes the scale so happy? I've finally found a way that works for me to get that "at least 2 litres" of water down my throat each day, but can't figure out why my weight isn't going UP. What about "water weight?" Instead of bloating, every day when I hop on the scale it's down another tiddleybit.

Kelly-Anne (the confused)

 I think it helps flush out toxins and keep the body regular. Also, since your body is working hard you need to keep it hydrated. If it does not stay hydrated it cannot burn your calories as efficiently. (It's like if you are breastfeeding and don't get enough water your body cannot produce as much milk) 

Also on gastricbypass dot com I found this:
"Why drink so much water?

When you are losing weight, there is a heavy load of waste products to eliminate, mostly in the urine. Some of these substances tend to form crystals, which can cause kidney stones. A high water intake protects you, and helps your body to rid itself of waste products efficiently, promoting better weight loss.

Water will also fill your stomach, and will help to prolong and intensify your sense of satisfaction with food. If you feel a desire to eat between meals, it is because you did not drink enough water in the hour before."

Hope that helps!

I had a kidney stone once years ago and just avoiding that nightmare is worth chugging 2 litres a day! Thanks!

Kelly-Anne

 Not Drinking Enough Water - Adipose tissue, ie. fat, is mobilized through a process called hydrolysis. As the word suggests, hydrolysis requires plenty of water. Insufficient amounts of water in your body will hinder effective breakdown of fat. If you're exercising, or if your environment is warm and/or dry, you need to drink more water. If you are in active ketosis, you need to drink more water to flush the ketoses out of your system. How much is enough? A bare minimum recommendation is 64 fluid oz (that's 8 - 8 oz glasses) of water a day. Some experts suggest you should divide your current weight in pounds by 2; this number is how many ounces you should drink each day, but no less than 64 oz. There is no disagreement on the need to drink sufficient amounts of fluids every day, but there are some arguments that it's not necessary to drink only plain water. If you choose to not drink large volumes of water, you should ensure that you are consuming adequate fluid in the form of calorie and carb-free liquids. Note that coffee is neither calorie nor carb free. Three small 6 oz cups of coffee yield 12 calories and 2.4 carb grams. Add in the cream and packets of sweetener .........hmmm. Teas and herbal teas are generally close to zero carb, as well as diet sodas and mineral waters. Be careful that some diet sodas contain citric acid as a flavoring, as this has been known to stall some folks. It's best to strive to drink as much plain water as possible; at least half of your day's intake, more if possible.

I'm afraid that plain water and I aren't friends yet, so I asked my nurse what she considered "water." We agreed that Crystal Light, herbal tea and decaf coffee qualify.

So - my system at the mo is to make up a 2-litre jug of Crystal Light or cold herb tea each evening and leave it on the counter alongside a glass. Before I start making each meal I force down 2 glassfuls. Before each of my 2 snacks - down goes another glassful. That gets it all in by early evening, then I can celebrate with my usual 2 giant mugs of decaf coffee. (not until an hour after supper) I told my husband tonight that if he took a close look into my eyes he'd see little wavelets...

So I went to a new dr. yesterday.  Funny thing he told me.  I mentioned I was having trouble getting in 8 glasses, lucky if between water, and milk I get 4.  He said that it is not true that we need 8 glasses a day and that two would be sufficient.  Basically he said that this whole 8 glasses came when someone asked one dr and the dr off hand said 8 glasses and it just picked up as the rule.  Mind you he also told me that eating 60grams of protien a day was overload and I should not each over 40 but 35 would be best.  I dont think I will be taking his advise anytime soon!

im sure that protien amout is fine pre surgery.. but post surgery... 70-80 is the norm.
sarah

Hey Kelly,
  Don't let yourself get caught up with the 5% goal that the internist talks about.  The decision to recommend you to surgery is from the whole team.  I'm not sure where you are at with all of your other appointments but your dietitian would not support the ensure loss for sure.  I found myself doing the same things as you right before my second internist appointment.  Do you have any of the sleep study or anything to do?  Is psyc done with you?  These are all part of the big picture.  I am not trying to be nellie negative on you but I know how disappointed I was when the internist said good job...now lets see what everyone else thinks. 
Hope this helps ...keep working hard it will pay off

Deanne

Hi Deanne,

I looked at the bottles in the fridge door, then made my usual meals. I just don't have it in me to go to all shakes before I actually have to.
I have a question that's been niggling at me. The weight the Dr said I have to lose - that's 5% of what I weighed at intake? If so, I've already done it. I was 281 at intake - 5% is 14#, which would be done at 266#. I thought she said 260#. (she was talking really, really fast)
My nurse told me that Carlene would be going over details about surgery at my next appointment, which got me all excited and fretting about the weight I need to lose instead of just keeping on with the program. She also asked if Carlene had told me to start separating eating and drinking yet - she hadn't. I've started doing it on my own though, largely because by the time I've drunk 2 glasses of water before starting to cook each meal (my method of forcing down all tha****er) I have little interest in drinking yet more during the meal.
I have another question. Do you ever adjust to swilling down all the water? Honestly, I feel like I'm always in the bathroom.
About appointments. So far I've seen my nurse, dietitian, internist, OT and physio. The nurse said I don't need a sleep study based on one of the many papers she had me fill out. Internist said she didn't need to book anything for me (is that a good thing or bad?) I'm booked to see my dietitian on the 27th, and both nurse and physio on the 12th.
Oops. iPhone wants to be plugged in so I'd best shut up now.

Kelly-Anne