How important is water drinking to your weight loss?

[brewstate]

My husband and I have both been on low carb of some form on and off for a long time. He has never been thrilled with the idea as he is a major emotional foodie and has a really hard time restricting himself from ANYTHING but I've decided this time I'm going all in and NOT giving up because of him like I have so many times before. So for now he is cooperating. I have lost about 10 lbs in a couple weeks but he really hasn't lost very much (about 4 lbs) and I don't think he is cheating. I thought it would be more than that considering he is quite a bit heavier than me. My question is could it be because he is not drinking enough water? How much water stall you guys weight loss and how much helps you lose extra? He is 6'3 and weighs 335 lbs and probably doesn't drink more than 50 or 60 ounces a day.

Thanks guys!

[lowcarbs4me]

Water is important for flushing out toxins. I feel like it makes a differernce with weight loss, too.

[Strawberry]

60 oz a day should be plenty.

His total body water is not going to be that much more of someone his size at ideal body weight. I'm sure someone will show up to quote some equation for a higher amount of water that increases as you weigh more... but he is getting enough to stay hydrated.

In terms of hunger control, sometimes not drinking enough will cause you to think you are hungry, when really you are just thirsty... and the liquid helps fill up your stomach.

[brewstate]

Also I forgot to add that we have both been horribly sick as well. He has had a mild case of strep and I have upper respiratory infection. Does sickness affect weight loss? We have eaten appropriate foods but just haven't been very hungry at all. I would assume that it would cause you to loose more but that might be completely backwards.

[thestreets]

I don't think water makes you lose weight per se, it's just that when you are drinking water you aren't drinking things like diet sodas, sf things, etc, which can stall some people and increase their appetite.

Also, how sure are you of what he is eating? I have done diets with people before and when they weren't losing it was usually because they were sneaking things and not being honest. I would consider this esp since you said he is an emotional eater- all this change and seeing you losing weight could be stressing him out and that's why he could be eating. Of course, I am not saying that he is doing this but it's something to consider.

ETA: I think the formula is half your body weight in ounces, so around 168 ounces. But, that includes all liquids, not just water. I don't think 60 is enough for him, I drink between 50-75 a day of water.

[cakes289]

Water does not seem to affect my weight loss. I drink diet pop most of hte day and still lose at quite a clip. My guess is he is sneaking food. Good luck

[Lylotte]

I had been wondering the same thing about water and did some looking around on the internet and found a few articles that were saying that your body will adjust itself to whatever level of fluids you give it if it's consistent. That being said there is a certain amount of water one needs but I remember one specifically had a doctor who said as long as you drank when you felt thirsty then that was enough. I was retaining water when drinking 3.5 litres of water a day, approx 122 oz. I am still able to retain water at 2 litres, 64 oz. My body seems to just want to do what it wants so it leads me to believe the articles I read.. and truthfully I am happier not trying to force myself to consume unnatural (for me) amounts of water and it give me a bit of room if there is a specific reason I might need to flush my system. That being said one can always find info on the internet that will support your point of view and there are probably just as many articles out there saying the opposite. Honestly when I read your posting I instantly though that perhaps your husband is cheating on the diet. My husband decided when I started Atkins that he was going to 'eat healthy' (not LC) and he gained 5 lbs in 2-3 weeks. Since being on Atkins for 3 weeks he's lost 15 lbs and he's only in the 230lb range.

ETA: I only drink water, no coffee, pop, tea etc.

[babykinz]

what kind of meds is he taking? That may be it.

[metqa]

Being sick can affect your weight. Iknow a lot of folks who when they get sick they stall or gain.

I think Streets is right about the half the body weight=ounces. At least that's doable for me and I hate forcing liquids. but I consider watery foods to be part of that. like cucumbers or tea.

If your body's balance is not right then it will hold water to keep the balance so good nutritional foods with vitamins like potassium can help. But also if you have plenty of water coming in the body doesn't need to hold old water to keep balance and will release it more readily so your weight should be more average than if you drink a lot one day and none another.

If I have trouble with water, I'll set a hourly timer and take a big gulp each hour. A gulp is about half a cup for me so from waking to bed I manage 8 cups and tha's if I don't drink between the hours, which I do.

[brewstate]

Thanks guys! I was afraid of that... but I don't have any proof. He eats breakfast and lunch at work so who knows what he eats. He says an omlet with veggies for breakfast. Lunch at restaurant with salad or meat and veggies which sounds good but who knows. He has always been a food sneaker since I met him and has major emotional ties to food. I just don't how to help him break it. Its like he doesn't care how much he weighs as long as he can have the food he wants. He is acting dedicated so maybe when I begin to lose massive amounts of weight he will be shamed into it. Every other time he has dragged me out of the way of eating but this time I will leave him behind if I have to. Harsh I know...

[crissy003]

Originally Posted by brewstate

Thanks guys! I was afraid of that... but I don't have any proof. He eats breakfast and lunch at work so who knows what he eats. He says an omlet with veggies for breakfast. Lunch at restaurant with salad or meat and veggies which sounds good but who knows. He has always been a food sneaker since I met him and has major emotional ties to food. I just don't how to help him break it. Its like he doesn't care how much he weighs as long as he can have the food he wants. He is acting dedicated so maybe when I begin to lose massive amounts of weight he will be shamed into it. Every other time he has dragged me out of the way of eating but this time I will leave him behind if I have to. Harsh I know...

I can relate to what you're going through because my husband is not really on board with eating LC, either, even though, like me, he is insulin-resistant. I have finally come to the conclusion that all I can do is to continue to do what I know is necessary for my own health, and he will have to decide on his own what he wants to do. I cannot force him to make these changes, nor can I allow his choices to sabotage my own. I know it's difficult, but there's really nothing else you can do. Good luck!

[Stacey222]

Water is filling and healthy. Way good for ya. I'd say it's important for weight loss.

[fawn]

and you both need to stay well hydrated during times of illness.

Water does help to flush toxins.

[susan41]

For me water intake is very important on so many levels. I have a bit of high blood pressure(non medicated and I am sure with weightloss it will be better) and flushing my body of the sodium i take in, it seems to keep that a bit in hand. I also feel like it keeps the mail moving too if you know what I mean.

Big thing with water intake for me it is my constant reminder that I am trying to change my eating/nutritional habits. I could go to the fridge and get a diet soda if I wanted to. But if I choose a water instead then I feel I have made a better choice for myself. For me water is a priority.

[LustfortheMoment]

brewstate, I think that you're better off focusing upon your OWN program than your husband's. If he's motivated to stick with it, he'll lose. If not, he won't. He has to really be ready to diet in his own place and time.

[brewstate]

I'm not giving up on him yet...LOL but I am going to have to stay dedicated even if he is not. I hope maybe we are just waiting for the big whoosh that hasn't come yet. He has had strep so maybe its just that. I can't completely give up on him because I am worried for his health. We have 2 small children (3 years old and 11 months old). I don't want him to die and they have to grow up without a father but you're right I also need to be concerned about my own weight. We are actually in a little bit of a competition. If I get to my goal first I get a brand new kitchen (cabinets, countertops, floors, the works) and if he wins he gets a brand new car of his choosing... I hope that's incentive enough for either of us, I know it is for me.

[Strawberry]

It seems like its usually the other way around - a wife will be struggling along, faithfully following the plan, and losing slowly... while the husband (men lose easier than women) will be dropping lbs like crazy while throwing in cheats here and there!

Hope you get your new kitchen!

[Houston Heather]

I drink about 3 quarts to over a gallon a day, depending. My medicine dries me out so I have to drink a lot.

I do tea and water only. Diet soda now upsets my stomach. But... I will be very interested to see my weight loss now that I've kicked the can.

[rose1]

I'm just being nosy. What is his goal weight?

Rooting for your new kitchen.

[Dovelette]

Here's the thing. There really isn't any scientific data that backs up the claim that we need 64 to 80oz of water a day. The original study that this number is quoted from is MIS quoted...it goes on to say "most of which we get from food."

Our bodies are super cool and super super smart. It can separate the water from steak, chicken, even from BREAD and use it as hydration. So, it's pretty unlikely that our bodies have trouble sorting out the water from, say, Crystal Light.

Also, numerous studies have been done on the dehydrating effect (affect?) of caffeine. Two findings have come out of this. First, if you drink caffeine regularly, it may have a MILD dehydrating affect initially, but your body acclimates to it quickly and then it doesn't really have an affect. Second, caffeine has no more of a "dieuretic" affect on your body than water does. Caffeine has also been shown to boost metabolism, and could be considered good to drink for weight loss. So even if it has a slight dehydrating affect, it should not NOT be counted toward your daily intake. This particular study had to do with the affect (effect? lol) of water vs. caffeinated bevvies during workouts. There are other studies, many of them, that also show this. Google is your friend.

Another interesting finding is that the whole "if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated" and "if your pee is dark, you are dehydrated" ideas aren't really true either. How many of you drink tons of water a day and wake up thirsty? I'm not dehydrated, I drink tons in a day (I live in a very hot environment, workout regularly and am a WLS patient so water really fills me up, hence the drinking), yet I'm SUPER thirsty when I get up in the morning. It's not whether your pee is DARK, but whether it's not CLOUDY that matters. Thirst, it turns out, actually IS a pretty good indicator that you need to drink, but it doesn't mean your dehydrated...just that Ok, time to drink to keep my body happy!

Water hasn't really been shown to flush toxins or fats or really to stick with us long enough to stave off hunger for too long of a time. Researchers, who investigated these claims and who found no scientific studies to support the theories, say for those of you in moderate climates, try to drink 5 cups a day. Warmer climates, drink more. If you work out and sweat, drink more.

Everyone should do what they want, and if YOU feel that bevvies help you stay on plan, fill you up, make you feel happy, by all means enjoy! But if I'm not mistaken, even Atkins in his original book says to drink as much water or calorie free beverages as thirst requires. Don’t restrict fluids… but it is not necessary to force them either.

Anyone can look up these findings, I believe there were several research teams that came to the same conclusion, one in 2003, maybe in England? And one I believe from Dartmoth, and that is the study that has got so many people talking.

BTW, beer under 3.5% alcohol also counts partly as water

[FloridaShell]

I drink lots of water because I feel better when I do. Far as aiding weightloss, I dunno.

[qbert]

It must be very important on my plan cause I have to get in a certain amount of liquids. I mostly drink water.

[Kaimi2008]

Originally Posted by FloridaShell

I drink lots of water because I feel better when I do. Far as aiding weightloss, I dunno.

exactly the same here.

[brewstate]

Well as far as drinking more liquids I really drank a lot yesterday (probably around 100 ounces or so) and when I weighed this morning I was down another pound from yesterday but my husband said his weight stayed the same. The funny thing is I have been with him all weekend and I did not see him cheat AT ALL. So I'm wondering if there is not something else behind it. For example yesterday he had (I had the same thing just a little smaller portions):

B: Sausage Cassarole (egg, beef sausage, spinach, cheddar cheese, onion, mushroom)

L: 3 chicken legs w/ lower carb wing sauce (about 4 carbs) 4-5 deviled eggs

D: no dinner because he wasn't hungry

Also we usually eat more veggies than this but my husband was cooking yesterday instead of me KWIM

but NO weight loss this morning. He started at 340. Had a 5 pound loss about a week ago then nothing since then. I just don't know what's going on. BTW his goal weight to get the car is 240 and mine is 140.

I started a little earlier than him and started at roughly 225. I lost down to about 217 then got sick, hung there for a while and was 215 this morning. Is there something wrong with the menu. The only thing I can think of is he is sick or he is not drinking enough to account for the salt.

[wall]

Originally Posted by brewstate

Well as far as drinking more liquids I really drank a lot yesterday (probably around 100 ounces or so) and when I weighed this morning I was down another pound from yesterday but my husband said his weight stayed the same. The funny thing is I have been with him all weekend and I did not see him cheat AT ALL. So I'm wondering if there is not something else behind it. For example yesterday he had (I had the same thing just a little smaller portions):

B: Sausage Cassarole (egg, beef sausage, spinach, cheddar cheese, onion, mushroom)

L: 3 chicken legs w/ lower carb wing sauce (about 4 carbs) 4-5 deviled eggs

D: no dinner because he wasn't hungry

Also we usually eat more veggies than this but my husband was cooking yesterday instead of me KWIM

but NO weight loss this morning. He started at 340. Had a 5 pound loss about a week ago then nothing since then. I just don't know what's going on. BTW his goal weight to get the car is 240 and mine is 140.

I started a little earlier than him and started at roughly 225. I lost down to about 217 then got sick, hung there for a while and was 215 this morning. Is there something wrong with the menu. The only thing I can think of is he is sick or he is not drinking enough to account for the salt.

I like that youre helping him...

But Ill say as a dude, I'd rather hear him talk about why he thinks he may not be losing rather then 2nd hand through you.

If he wants some advice, inspiration or a kick in the pants get him to join up and discuss his WOE for himself so he can work through it and figure it out.

He can say howdy here: Boot Camp Charlie - May 2009 Edition

[Lylotte]

Perhaps your husband is metabolically resistant or has an underlying medical issue. Would he be willing to try a fat fast or egg/meat fast to see if that helped? Or maybe head to the doctors for a look-see?

[brewstate]

That's actually a good idea. I don't know if I can get him to the doctor or not as he is so worried that they are going to tell him you are morbidly obese and going to die that he doesn't want to go (AKA I already know that but I want to avoid someone else saying it). Now that you mention it though, his mother has an underproducing thyroid has to take thyroxin ?sp? as well as her and his uncle are both diabetics. Are these genetic? (you can see why I'm so worried for him)

I know he has lost weight in the past and I *think* he is really trying. I don't know if he could do the egg fast or not but it might be worth a shot.

Thank you all so much for your help. I wish he could do this alone but I know that he won't unles I help him so I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for him.

[flatferenghi]

that the chemistry of weight loss takes place in an aqueous solution. The blood stream ought not be deprived of water. I do not believe it all has to be straight H2O. I do drink more water in the hot weather than in winter, but I am sure that can be said for most species, terrestrial or not. I attributed my weight loss (when i WAS losing) to walking and low carb eating. Once I WAS able to walk, I was doing it for hours and hours. (jogging and running makes me sick (nauseous sick). One cannot underestimate the need for fluids. I think a person knows instinctively when he/she needs water, and when he/she has had enough. Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI

[Lylotte]

What about making an appointment for both of you and tell him that you want some moral support through this process and feel it's very important and it'll so great to see the progress at the end etc etc.. I got my husband onto Atkins myself though he is only 30-50 lbs from goal. I have to track my husbands food and calories and prep his breakfast lunch and dinner and even sometimes tell him ideas for snacking. I've learned over the years that I need to micromanage my husband at times in order to help him through things.. I went to my doctor at 329lbs and a new one at that and she didn't say boo about my weight, I think when you're that big it's kinda obvious that you know you are fat. And if you're there to say "Hey I'm trying but need some help to figure things out" then the doctor is going to be very happy that you understand it's time to do something about things.

[TennisBum]

I rarely drink more than 24 oz of water each day, and most of that is usually water mixed with some sort of sugar free mix to give it flavor. I've done pretty well without drinking a lot of water although I know I should drink more.