Quick.  How much water have you had today?  Any? Or are you subsisting on diet soda and coffee?

Water is the single most important beverage that there is.  Plain old water.  Yet, studies have shown that many of us aren’t drinking the amount of water that our bodies need to stay healthy and strong.  Lack of hydration can cause headaches, muscle cramps and even fatigue.  Being well hydrated can help with clearer skin, a more effective metabolism, and even can help you to eat less food – a great bonus if you are actively trying to lose weight.

True story time: I am a big water drinker. Huge. I carry around my own reusable bottle and drain it several times a day.  I’m not fussy – it doesn’t have to be filtered – plain tap water works well for me.  The bottle holds 24 ounces, and I probably fill it five or more times a day, not including meals.  So, my body is used to lots of water.

Beer or no beer? A study of 25 college students was performed a few years back and found that beer may have some positive influences on the body after a long tough workout. The students were split into two groups and asked to exercise in 104 degree weather. One group was given beer and the other group was given water to help them recover. The study was conducted for several months and according to the professors and scientists in charge, the students that were given beer appeared to be better hydrated than those given water. They believe that beer helps you retain liquid better than water and the carbohydrates in the beer help replace lost calories.

On the other hand, most of us exercise to lose weight and drinking beer after exercising pretty much defeats the purpose. (The average light beer has 103 calories, 5.7g carbs and 14mg sodium.) Why put empty calories back in your body after trying to burn them? I recommend drinking plenty of water while exercising and then eating a healthy meal or snack after the bout of exercise to help replenish the body. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to as soon as possible.

Have you tried all those creams and ointments on the market in hopes of obtaining that glowing, radiant skin you’re seeking? Have you tried products from the grocery store? Did you even consider your diet and the foods you eat as a means of obtaining that flawless skin you desire? Below is a list of skin beautifying foods. Try them out first!

• Water. Good hydration plays a vital role in keeping skin looking healthy and even young. Though the amount you need per day varies, a good amount to shoot for is around eight glasses a day. Water helps to keep your cells hydrated, while moving good nutrients in and toxins out.
  

Whether its for you, your significant other, or your child/children it is important to pack a healthy lunch. Buying groceries and packing your lunch is a great way to cut down on additional food cost and help you control exactly what you are putting into your body (calorie, fat, sodium, etc.). Below are some key points to remember when packing your lunch.

1. Remember your fruits and veggies! It’s recommended to consume 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies a day. So take advantage of your lunch to really rack in some servings.

- A salad is an easy way to score big on veggies, with fresh greens, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, or any vegetable you want. You can also add some dried or fresh fruit and you will be feeling good. You’ll be scoring big for your health without having consumed a lot of calories (remember veggies and fruit are very nutrient dense, meaning you get a lot of nutrients and small amount of calories and fat). However, keep in mind to pick an oil-based salad dressing and to remember to lightly pour it on… you don’t want to drown your salad in dressing.

It’s likely that you’ve been on a diet at one point in your life. And everyone can easily name a few friends or family members who’ve been on one. Did you succeed? Did they? Or did you find yourself right back where you started? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then you’ve likely made one or some of the most common dieting mistakes.

1. Have you ever followed a crash or fad diet? These are the ones that promise unrealistic weight loss, like 10 pounds in a week, or have you consume terribly low calories, like >1000 each day.

2. Skipped breakfast to stay on schedule? You can get where you need to be sooner and you’ll save yourself a few hundred calories, that’s what you’re telling yourself. However, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and you should make the time to eat it.