There are two things that everyone can easily do that will have a direct, favorable effect on their health, vitality, energy and well being. They are:

Facts about Human Beings and Water
We all have heard that drinking water is important. But, do you really appreciate just how important it is....

• 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
• In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.
• Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%.
• One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a Univ. Washington study.
• Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
• Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.
• A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
• Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
  

Water is one of the most important "ingredients" in any weight control program. Water naturally suppresses the appetite (as noted in the Univ.-Washington study). It also helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that consuming more water reduces stored fat in the body, while decreasing water consumption increases stored fat. Proper kidney function requires adequate water in the body. If there is not enough water, part of the kidneys function is taken over by the liver. Once the liver is doing part of the kidney's job it cannot do its own jobs as well -- one of which is to metabolize stored body fat.

Fluid retention is most often the result of not drinking enough water. This may sound odd, but the body resorts to "hoarding" water if there is not enough. The other common factor in fluid retention is too much salt consumption. The body reacts to too much salt by retaining fluid to dilute the salt concentration. Both of these common causes of fluid retention are best treated by drinking more water. In the case of excess salt, the extra water will flush out the excessive salt. In the case of "hoarding", once the body gets used to an adequate supply of water, it will stop "hoarding". To relieve fluid retention -- drink more water.

Water also helps relieve constipation. If the body does not have enough water, it will draw as much as it can from internal sources -- the most readily available source is the colon where water is absorbed -- creating constipation.
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Are you drinking enough water every day?

Drink eight glasses (8 ounces each) every day, under normal conditions. If you are over trying to lose weight or are dealing with any of the other problems caused by lack of water, drink four additional glasses of water for a total of twelve (8 ounce) glasses. In addition, if you are overweight, increase the amount of water by one glass per day for each 25 pounds of excess weight.

NOTE: Coffee, tea, soda, beer, juice and most other beverages do not replace the need for *plain* PURE water. In fact, most beverages have a negative effect on your hydration. Metabolizing the sugar in a soda uses water -- in order to "break even" you need to drink 5 cans on plain water for each can of soda you drink. Metabolizing alcohol also consumes water from the body -- the dehydration caused by metabolizing alcohol is the primary cause of a "hang over". Caffeine also has a negative effect on the body's supply of water.

Facts about Human Beings and Walking

Walking is a known stress reliever. Just a simple 10 minute walk can lower your blood pressure and refresh your mind. As you age, walking a little more each day will keep your body from losing its' tone and flexibility.

Make sure you walk in a safe manner, on good sidewalks or pavement. If you walk in a street or roadway, walk facing oncoming traffic, in parks and beach walkways be aware of bicyclists, skaters and other wheeled, fast moving, people.
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