A drink a day melts the fat away

Want the secret to easier weight loss, especially after 50? Drink more water.

Burning fat isn’t magical because you drink more water. It is however something that becomes much easier for your body to do when you’re well hydrated…

That’s because when you’re dehydrated your body is under stress. Under stress it’s not going to shed weight easily — in fact, it’s more likely to store fat. That’s Mother Nature’s well-intentioned way of protecting you.

Can you stay hydrated with other liquids and fruits?

They can help up to a point. But some fruits have a lot of sugar in them. Most beverages do as well (and food manufacturers are getting sneakier about disguising how they name sugars — artificial and natural) or they may have caffeine.

So, the short answer is… nothing is healthier for you than water for hydrating.

If you have trouble drinking as much as you should, you can try infusing it. Any of the combinations below or fruits solo for that matter may make water more enticing for you.

• Cucumber and mint
• Grapes and watermelon
• Lemons and limes

You can try a simple “lemonade” of fresh-squeezed lemons and a few drops of stevia to help reduce your sugar intake (which can be dehydrating) and create a sweeter drink.

The important thing is to just choose a healthy option that pleases your pallet, and then keep it in front of you: a large glass pitcher on the counter or a large water bottle of your favorite mixture on your desk, so you don’t forget to sip it throughout your day. You can even set a timer on your computer or phone to remind you that it’s time to drink.

Tips for an all-day fat boosting hydration:

• Drink a tall glass first thing in the morning.
• Drink half to a cup of water every hour.
• Drink more during extended exercise, particularly in the heat.
• Drink the majority of your water between meals rather than at meals.
• Consider drinking a glass of water right before you go to bed.

What’s measured matters

Track your water intake for a short time. You may be surprised by how little you’re drinking. Rather than shoot for the recommended eight 8-oz glasses all at once, try just adding a cup a day more to your current total.

A recent study published in the journal Nutrients found that even if you replace just one sugary beverage per day with a glass of water, your health — and your weight — will be a lot better off.

Your body will get used to it gradually and you shouldn’t be spending any more time making pit stops. The following week add another daily cup.

How much is enough?

Your body will tell you. The first positive signs may actually be better digestion. Soon though, you may also be getting more compliments about your skin and someone may ask if you’ve lost weight. You may not need the once-arbitrary eight glasses a day. You may need more or less. The telltale sign of pale urine is a simple way to know. Though most of us are dehydrated on a daily basis, it is possible to drink too much. Find your goldilocks of hydration and your health and body will thank you.