Sunday, January 6, 2008

Dieting Myth #1 - Drink lots of water.

The Discovery Channel has a show called Mythbusters where a couple of oddball characters attempt to debunk, or potentially prove, a series of myths, most of which I have never heard of. While I believe it's pretty popular, I have only seen this show once. It seemed to be geared towards young people with an interest in science, of which I am neither...young or scientifically inclined.

This isn't stopping me from shamelessly ripping off their idea.

As I struggle through this process of losing weight, I am going to share my personal discoveries on some popular, or possibly obscure, dieting myths. This is my first entry.

Diet talk. I know you are all trembling with anticipation...

Myth #1-Drink lots of water, it will make you feel full and help you shed pounds.

I can honestly say I have given this theory a thorough test in the last week. I have sipped so much water I could fill a small pool. With my pee. I know, that was classy wasn't it. But really, how do people who are NOT Stay at home moms manage this crazy water intake? And when I get hungry, I drink some more. And you know what, I feel full. Of water! And still starving to death. Because it turns out my body can tell the difference between water, and say...a cheeseburger.

As for helping me shed pounds, all I can figure is the path I am treading up and down the hall to my bathroom might count as some kind of physical activity. And the fact that I now drink water instead of chocolate milkshakes. That might be helpful too.

16 comments:

painted maypole said...

haha. I am glad to know it is not just my stomach that isn't fooled by this.

i think perhaps, though, you and I take it overboard. instead of drinking a small lake's worth of water, what if we drank a bit more before and during dinner, mixing it in with food? Rather than when we are hungry trying to fill that need with hunger? I dunno, just a thought. i haven't tried it or anything.

thirtysomething said...

My tummy didn't fall for it either. Sigh.
I try this--drink a full 8 ounces before you sit down to each meal. I find that I eat much less and still feel satisfied. Then, for more water intake during the day, I munch on fresh fruit. One apple is equal to a cup of water, and tastes much better! Good luck!

Chrissy said...

Ha. I have an idea for your second dieting myth to debunk: "Getting up early and exercising will make you energized all day."

Kyla said...

I think I'm going to like this series. :)

Lynn Stallworth said...

Just think of all the toxins you're flushing out of your body by drinking all that water. That might help a LITTLE-lol! Drinking lots of water is definitely a habit that is very hard to get into. I like Chrissy's idea for myth #2. Fortunately the boys LOVE their wagon. I hope that pulling about 50 pounds up and down the street for 30 minutes is burning something. Good for me they hate getting out of it. Their temper tantrums encourages me to do more laps.

Chaotic Joy said...

Chrissy & Lynn-That actually was my idea for the first myth to test. The problem is I haven't actually hauled my butt out of bed at 5:45 to test it. Ah well, there is always tomorrow for that insanity. :)

Unknown said...

lol...exactly! have you watched the biggest loser? i find that very motivating and have become an addict. eating ice cream as i watch...j/k...lol...it really does make u wanna go out and run a marathon (or something like that)

Christy said...

The only way I think that the water helps you too lose weight is by making you get up, and have to physically walk to the bathroom so much! I can't handle that :)

Christy said...

The only way I think that the water helps you too lose weight is by making you get up, and have to physically walk to the bathroom so much! I can't handle that :)

Lori said...

Actually, I recently heard Bob Greene admit that we don't really know whether drinking water has any positive effect on weight loss. It is still good for you (to a degree), but I think you might be right on this one!!

Does Diet Coke count as water? I sure hope so...

Lynn Stallworth said...

C'mon you know you can wake up at 5:45 am and try out this myth. Try to debunk this one for the women of the world. Take one for the team. And we'll all send you some Godiva truffles :o) Probably with bites already taken out of them.

Sarahviz said...

I honestly do the 64oz. of water thing when I am dieting. I swear it works for me. I feel so bloated that I'm not as hungry. Truly.
And then when I'm in "training mode" (meaning doing actual physical exercise when the weather is above 40 degrees in New England), drinking that much water helps me with my running. I stay hydrated and feel so much better after a run if I've been diligent about drinking water consistently.
Kind of a nerdy response, huh?

Christine said...

well i know there is debate about the water thing, but if you keep at it eventually you won't pee so so much. but the peeing is good because you are getting rid of extra water (retained from pms, salt, etc.)and waste (burned fat has to get out somehow. it gets released through breathing, sweating, peeing, etc.

but like anything you can drink too much, so don't go nuts.

and don't beat yourself up over the ice cream sandwich. i have one every day. no lie.

Running on empty

nutmeg said...

Ah, but I bet your skin looks beautiful!

Carrien Blue said...

It's not that it makes you feel less hungry, though it can slow you down a little bit. It helps you lose weight because your body works better hydrated, you are less likely to crave sugar hydrated, (we associate sweet with water because of fruit), it helps flush out toxins and, here's the main reason, your body can't get rid of fat id there is not enough water to carry it out. Water helps your body use and burn fat more efficiently. Now ya know.

All that peeing will help your behind get in shape, just imagine you're peeing fat. (okay, that's kind of way too disgusting now that I think about it.)

Good luck.

Lesha C said...

I agree with everybody I think :) My tummy is not fooled by water instead of food at all. I have heard for a while now that you are supposed to drink half your weight in ounces every day. I try my best to do that. Really because drinking water throughout the day and at meals keeps me from drinking something else. I used to be a big fan of sodas. That was pretty much the only thing I would drink. Since I'm trying to get so many ounces of water everyday it is just easier to not drink soda and get those ounces in. Secondly, from what I understand from a health course at college, water is good for controlling weight because of your kidneys and liver. Your liver is really what tells your body how to use fats. If you are not well hydrated, your kidneys do not work at full capacity. When that happens, your liver has to pick up the slack and stores that fat until later when it is not working in place of the kidneys anymore. So, maybe, it's not so much that water makes you lose weight, but rather just keeps you from gaining weight.