How does drinking water help you lose weight?

[Lemmonie]

as above really

[Odie]

It doesnt I dont think (correct me if im wrong), but if you are reducing the amount of food you eat (calorie counting etc), you need to increase the amount of water you drink (not by that much though, iirc we need 3.5ltrs a day in total) as the majority of the water we need a day comes from our food.

Personally I found that when I craved foods that I shouldnt be eating having a glass of water alleviated the craving, that from personal experience and I felt it was more about taking affirmative action that the actual water itself.

[Chris Type R]

http://loseyourappetite.com/how-does-drinking-wate...

[S10GTA]

It fills you up, suppressing your hunger.

[Hoofy]

You feel full unless you're actually hungry. It's really useful when fasting.

It also helps to avoid water retention.

[Chris Type R]

Hoofy said:

You feel full unless you're actually hungry. It's really useful when fasting.

It also helps to avoid water retention.

And if you're anything like me you do loads more running (to the toilet every 15 minutes).

[goldblum]

S10GTA said:

It fills you up, suppressing your hunger.

Correct. It takes the edge off hunger pangs, at least that's the theory. No magic involved whatsoever.

[Hoofy]

Chris Type R said:

And if you're anything like me you do loads more running (to the toilet every 15 minutes).

Are you just downing the cups of water or sipping?

[Chris Type R]

Hoofy said:

Are you just downing the cups of water or sipping?

Lots of little sips.

[theshrew]

You need a piss sack.

Are you supposed to sip away or down it ? Or doesnt it matter ?

[Hoofy]

Chris Type R said:

Hoofy said:

Are you just downing the cups of water or sipping?

Lots of little sips.

Ok, you're doing it right in theory. So you'll have to put up with extra toilet visits!

[CaptainSensib1e]

Also, a lot of the time when people think they are hungry they are just dehydrated. If you have a glass of water then you'll lose your appetite because your body doesn't actually need any additional calories.

[Xerstead]

CaptainSensib1e said:

Also, a lot of the time when people think they are hungry they are just dehydrated.

This for me.
Mild dehydration can lead to feelings of tiredness/lethargy and poor concentration. Feeling low on energy and distracted from work, I'll grab something to snack on.
Being properly hydrated allows your body to perform better during exercise so you put more effort in to burn calories before you're exhausted.

[goldblum]

CaptainSensib1e said:

Also, a lot of the time when people think they are hungry they are just dehydrated.

Your username is ironic, yes?

[Lemmonie]

So, today I drank 2L of water and it didnt work, despite lunch i was still hungry! :-(

[theshrew]

Get some more down ya neck ( water )

[Hoofy]

Lemmonie said:

So, today I drank 2L of water and it didnt work, despite lunch i was still hungry! :-(

It's also your food choices. Some foods breakdown much more quickly than others. Try a packet of crisps or a Mars Bar and you'll see what I mean. Maybe 20 minutes later you'll want something. Check out the GI diet for ideas on what digests slowly (makes you feel fuller for longer).

Also, hunger's just a feeling. Ignore it. You won't die assuming you're eating well when you do eat.