“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
There are many generous women who are constantly on the move, unable to say “No” and always putting the needs of others first. These are the same women who are always the dependable ones, running the show, available when no one else is available, the one who is so organized…… Are you one of these women? If not, I’ll bet you know a woman who is! She’s kind and generous… and stressed!
Always helping others and not putting yourself first to keep up your energy level does not result in good health. The All Woman must learn to take care of her own needs first before taking care of others to have the stamina and energy to carry out all she needs (and desires) to do.
Nourishing our bodies has to be a priority. In our busy lives there is one thing that the All Woman can do to better herself, and it is so simple. Hydrate. Quench the thirst of the body. Drink water.
In my business, I try to encourage others to eat their raw fruits and veggies due to their dense nutritional content, however, our bodies also need water to cleanse and flush the system. Please note that I am not a doctor or working in the medical field, however, it is my passion to research healthy options and share it with others.
Our bodies consist of 70% water. Water transports nutrients throughout your body. Water regulates our body temperature. Our organs also need the water to do their jobs flushing and cleansing, too. Did you ever consider that your skin is an organ? If you want healthier hydrated skin, save your money on expensive, fancy moisturizer goop for your face and drink more water.
Water is water. Don’t be fooled that any other beverage is a substitute for plain old water. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. If you drink any beverage that has caffeine, you must follow with extra water as caffeine will dehydrate your system. If you are exercising, if it is hot outside, or any activity that is dehydrating you, add more water to your 8 glasses of water per day.
Taking more trips to the bathroom when you start drinking more water is common. As you build up to 8 glasses a day over a few weeks, your body will adjust to all the water and your trips to the bathroom will become less, however, consider, too, what the body is doing. It is cleansing and flushing your body of waste and toxins and that is a very good thing.
If you’re trying to lose weight, it is imperative that you drink water. You will never lose weight without the water helping you, so increase your water intake when you start making those new, healthy nutritional choices and increasing your activity. Also, don’t fall for the fallacy that we need to add more protein to build lean muscle mass. Our muscles are 78% water, so give your muscles what they need – water! Talk to a nutritionist or registered dietician about a healthy balanced diet that is right for you and you alone.
Drinking water before, during and after exercise also helps cushion and lube your joints. It will aid in keeping you energized throughout your workout, even if you’re just walking the dog. Also, hydrated muscles are less likely to cramp. (Remember to stretch, stretch, and stretch after any exercise.)
If you enjoy having a can or two of pop per day, please consider the amount of sugar in one can: about 12 teaspoons! I also urge you to do some research on the effects of aspartame in the diet soft drinks. Consider substituting one can of pop with one glass of water per day. It will add up to pounds lost over the year due to the decrease in sugar consumption or just a healthier you! Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go, as well. This way when you are thirsty, you can avoid the vending machines which are so tempting.
We need to cut waste from our body through urination and regular bowel movements and not enough people pay attention to this. Adults need at least 25 grams of fibre per day in their diets and need the water to make sure the movement through our system. If you are not having at least 2 bowel movements per day, get that water going.
Falling asleep at your desk at 2 pm? Well, you could be getting dehydrated! Grab yourself a glass of water and get re-energized.
The type of water you drink is important, too. After personal research on chlorine in my drinking water, I decided to invest in a water filter for my kitchen sink that removes the chlorine and makes my water taste great. I also have a portable water filter that I take with me when I travel. Whenever I can, I remove the chlorine from my drinking water. As an aside, by putting this filter in my home, I actually SAVE MONEY on bottled water, and that is a very good thing, too. For more information on water filters, please feel free to call or email me.
So, All Woman, take your “time out”, now. Reflect, rejuvenate, meditate, count your blessings, praise God. Light a scented candle. Sit back with a big, fancy glass filled with nourishing water. Toss in a wedge of lemon or lime and an ice cube. For added decadence, drink from a bendable straw .….. ahhhhhh..…
*Patty Minall is a legal assistant with a home-based business which helps bridge the gap as it relates to whole food nutrition. Through her talks and articles, she inspire others to take control and be accountable for their own health and happiness. Visit her website at www.nutritionsavesall.com