"Somebody Bring Me Some Water!..Can't You See I'm Burnin' Alive!"

Since Shane posted a classic rock lyric, I felt I needed to follow suit.

At this time of year, unfortunately we take an all too close look at ourselves, for a week or so...and then go back to doing whatever we were doing before the holidays. I am guessing that Weight Watchers™, and exercise equipment sales go up at this time of year more than any other.

Being one who has had many New Year's Resolutions go South by mid-January, (to avoid the cold weather, presumably), I know this can be a rough time. I don't make them anymore. That way, they won't fail.

But one thing that you can do, that does not take a huge commitment in time, money, or effort...is drink water. Yup...it's that simple. Pledge to drink more water.

The biggest change I made in my life over the last year, was drinking more water. And every time I have a lapse in judgement and will power, water saved me.

When you think of your body as a machine, Food is the fuel and Water is the oil. You would never think about NOT putting oil in your car, right? Water is of paramount importance in kidney and brain function, colon and bladder health, joints and muscle function...the list goes on.

Link: Google-ing water and weight loss...

I am a big believer in Purified water as opposed to spring water. It tastes better and is filtered of chlorine and other "stuff". I buy a case and throw it in my van.

A case of the store brand purified water at Wal-Mart, is $2.48. That's 24 - 16 ounce bottles.

How many sodas can you buy for $2.48? I drink at least 4 a day, (that is the gold standard of water consumption: 8 - 8 oz glasses a day.) But I usually end up drinking more. Divide your body weight by half, and that is how many oz. you should get, some sources say. The most resistance I hear about drinking water: "I'll be in the bathroom all day!" Just consider that every time you are in the bathroom, you are dropping weight...it's a fair trade off.

Water keeps you from eating junk just because your bored. Water keeps your system chugging along, washing out toxins, and helping your joints feel better. If you like salty foods, drink even more water to help from feeling swollen and achy. I love salty foods, (my weakness), and I can really feel the difference when I don't flush my body with water after a salty meal. My joints and especially my hands, really hurt.

Click Here for some interesting info when and how to consume water.

Although I have changed my diet significantly, and my activity level has increased, I truly believe that without the water regimen, I would still be fat. I was terribly dehydrated most of my life, and only looking back now, did I realize that a lot of my health problems, were tied to that. Most notably the kidney stone I had some years back. (Ouch!)

FYI....Through the holidays, I have eaten pretty much whatever I wanted, without going overboard, of course...(well maybe a little overboard), and have maintained the same weight roughly, (185-190 lbs). My secret....I carried a liter bottle of water around like a ball and chain. For every soda, glass of wine, little smokey, summer sausage...there was some water to wash it down, and keep it moving.

I raise my glass (of water)......Happy New Year. I hope that 2012 finds you all healthier and happier.