Where does it go....

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2004
Where does it go....
8
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 9:29am

I apologize if this is too elementary, but...Where does the fat you lose go? Does your body burn it off as energy or does it really get flushed out your urine when you drink your 100 gallons of water a day like my Mom always told me? Seriously, I never knew if that was a wives tale or true?




Edited 1/13/2005 9:39 am ET ET by smltwngirl70
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 9:56am

your body converts it to glucose and "burns" it as energy to operate your body. oversimplified, the formula is FAT + OXYGEN = ENERGY + CARBON DIOXIDE + WATER


the carbon dioxide is released from your body as you exhale.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 9:58am
sorry for using my "CL" screen name, sometimes i forget to sign out and back in when on other boards.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2004
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 11:09am
Thanks! So where does the drinking of water with weight loss come in to play? I've heard a lot of talk on tv and radio lately about the myths (their word, not mine, Im just enquiring not agreeing) of increased water consumption above what normal thrist requires?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 7:39pm

No problem Jen- thanks for answering the question.


...and Elle, I'm not quite sure what your next question was asking; could you rephrase it for us?

~IslandGirl


:~:~: Moderation is Key :~:~:

Getting Fit In Your 30's
cl-vi_islandgirl

_____________________________________________________

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2004
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 9:42pm

I'll try...

I have always heard that when you diet you should drink a lot of water (more than when not dieting). Recently my husband heard a "Dr." (Im not sure what his credentials were) say that increasing your water above what is normally needed isnt going to increase your weight loss. I also read this in a book (I think it was Gwen Shamblin, but Im not 100% about that). So my question (if anyone knows the physics) is what role does drinking water play in the chemical process of weight loss? Places like Jenny Craige just always really pushed the water consumption and I wondered why?

I'm not sure if that is any clearer. If not it's not important, I just thought someone would know.

Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Thu, 01-13-2005 - 10:48pm

Here's some info I found specific to what you are asking:



Can Drinking Water Speed Weight Loss ?

While the abundance of diet books and programs may be confusing, there are several principles that they all have in common. One is the value of exercising in conjunction with dieting. Another is the recommendation to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water. In fact, these recommendations are so common that the average “dieter” tunes them out. Drinking water may also seem like too simple a recommendation to help you lose weight. The theory behind this recommendation has always been that drinking sufficient amounts of water may actually make you feel full, and therefore, be less likely to want to overeat. Some people also believe that drinking sufficient amounts of water may help your body to clear metabolic waste products more efficiently. However, a new report from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (12/03) suggests that drinking sufficient water may actually increase the metabolic rate, or the rate at which people burn calories. While the researchers admit that the impact of their findings were small, this information could still potentially help with weight-control programs. In weight management, small daily improvements and behavioral changes can accrue for a significant long-term result.


This study, conducted at Berlin's Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center, was a very small one. Researchers tracked caloric intake and energy expenditures among seven men and seven women who were healthy and not overweight.


After drinking approximately 17 ounces of water (slightly more than 2 glasses), the subjects' metabolic rates increased by 30% for both men and women. The increases occurred within 10 minutes of water consumption and reached a maximum after about 30 to 40 minutes.


Interestingly, the increase in metabolic rate differed in men and women. In men, burning more fat fueled the increase in metabolism, whereas in women, an increased breakdown of carbohydrates caused the increase in metabolism seen.


The researchers estimate that over the course of a year, a person who increases his water consumption by 1.5 liters a day without making any other changes would burn an extra 17,400 calories, for an additional weight loss of approximately five pounds. They suggest that up to 40% of the increase in calorie burning is caused by the body's attempt to heat the ingested water. Obviously, larger studies would be necessary to confirm these preliminary findings. Regardless of whether they are confirmed, drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day is an easy, harmless, and free first step for dieters.



Created: 3/9/2004

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 01-14-2005 - 7:09am

a lot of people say to drink a lot of water to feel full, others say it doesn't work like that. also, because it's good for general health and fitness.

most people say to drink before you get thirsty and to drink more than you are thirsty for, because your body doesn't feel thirsty until it is already getting dehydrated - like the low oil warning light on your car. you don't want to wait until that goes on to put oil in!

i've never heard before about any scientific studies that say drinking water will raise your metabolism, but it's certainly possible. your body needs water to run on, and a lot of people are dehydrated chronically and so maybe that would account for any rise in metabolism after drinking water? continuing with the same metaphor, your car doesn't run as well once it gets low on oil.

in any event, experts generally recommend about 64oz of water a day, more if you exercise. it's definitely good for your body whether it helps you lose weight or not, so go for it!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-27-2004
Fri, 01-14-2005 - 8:08am
Thank you both, that was exactly the info I was looking for!