When you consider the obesity statistics throughout the Western world, it is no wonder that people the world over are searching for the one wonder pill that will help them eliminate fat, shed the unwanted pounds and bring back the vestiges of their lost youth. The diet industry and the infomercial people know this, which is exactly why these industries are as big as they are.
To take fat loss further, explore our range of weight-loss and fat-burning products.
But the problem with the fad pills is that they do not work. Routinely you will hear announcements from the Food and Drug Administration ordering some supplement off the market because of unhealthy side effects.
So rather than taking a pill, I want to talk to you about natural weight loss supplements that are not pills at all, but simply steps you can take to lose weight and, most importantly, keep it off.
The best weight loss supplement in the world is free
The one I want to highlight in this article is, in my opinion, the best weight loss supplement in the world, and you can get it for free: WATER! That is right, I said water. Here is why I say it is the best weight loss supplement there is.
- If your stomach is filled with water, then you cannot be hungry. And if you are not hungry, then you are not consuming calories.
- Water has zero calories. Your body needs copious amounts of it in order to function properly (right now you are made up of approximately 60 to 70 percent water). This means that if you were to stay away from alcohol and sugary drinks, you could save hundreds of calories a day.
- Water is a natural metabolism booster. Studies highlighted in Men’s Health magazine have shown that drinking 16 ounces of water immediately after waking up can lead to a 15 percent metabolic boost for up to 90 minutes.
- Most importantly, another study showed that by drinking 16 ounces of water before a meal, you end up consuming 15 percent fewer calories at that meal.
Why water works for weight loss
Water helps in two simple ways. First, it physically fills the stomach, which blunts appetite and helps you stop eating sooner. Thirst is also frequently mistaken for hunger, so a glass of water often settles a craving that would otherwise become a snack. Second, water keeps the body running efficiently; staying well hydrated supports normal metabolism, digestion and energy, while even mild dehydration can leave you sluggish and more likely to reach for food.
Replacing calorie-laden drinks with water is also one of the easiest wins in any diet. Sodas, juices, sweetened coffees and alcohol can quietly add hundreds of calories a day that do nothing to fill you up, and swapping them for water removes those calories without any feeling of deprivation.
Putting the numbers together
It is astounding how much water can help the weight loss process. Let me show you how to use the facts above to move toward your goals. Suppose you were to make just two changes to your life:
- Dropping the alcohol and sugary drinks and drinking water exclusively.
- Drinking 16 ounces of water before every meal.
How would these two changes help you? Think for a moment about the juices, milk, beers, lattes, cappuccinos and sodas you drink during the day. If you switched to water, how many calories would you save? 300? 500? I think 300 would be a minimum for most people. After all, go to a coffee shop and you are probably drinking at least 400 calories there, but for the sake of argument let us call it a saving of 300 calories a day.
Now add the second part: drinking water before every meal so that you eat 15 percent fewer calories. With the average person consuming 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day, that is again a saving of at least 300 calories a day.
So we have just saved 600 calories a day. What does this translate to? 18,000 calories a month. And since it takes about 3,500 calories to burn one pound of fat, we are talking about losing roughly 5 pounds of fat a month, just by drinking water.
This is around 60 pounds a year!
How to drink more water
Making this work is easy if you build a few simple habits. Start the day with a large glass of water before anything else. Keep a refillable bottle with you so a drink is always within reach. Make it a rule to have a glass before each meal, and reach for water first whenever you feel a snack craving. If plain water feels dull, add a slice of lemon, cucumber or a few berries rather than sugar. Most healthy adults do well aiming for roughly two litres a day, adjusting upward in hot weather or when exercising.
Water beats the pills, every time
Compare this with the fad pills. They cost money, sometimes a lot of it, they carry a long list of possible side effects, and many are eventually pulled from shelves. Water costs nothing, has no side effects when consumed sensibly, and works through plain, well-understood mechanisms rather than marketing. It also supports the rest of your body while it helps with weight: better hydration aids digestion, skin, joints and concentration, none of which a diet pill can claim.
None of this means water is magic. It works because it removes empty liquid calories, curbs appetite and keeps your metabolism ticking over, all of which make a calorie deficit easier to maintain. Pair it with reasonable food choices and regular movement and the two simple habits above become a foundation you can keep for life, rather than a crash diet you abandon in a month.
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I drink to lose weight?
A common target is about two litres, or eight glasses, a day, including a 16-ounce glass before each meal. Needs rise with heat and exercise, so use thirst and urine colour as a guide.
Can drinking water really boost metabolism?
Studies suggest a temporary rise in metabolic rate after drinking water, partly because the body works to warm it. The effect is modest but real, and it adds up alongside the appetite and calorie savings.
Is it possible to drink too much water?
Yes, in rare cases drinking extreme amounts in a short time can dilute the body’s sodium. For normal daily hydration this is not a concern; simply spread your intake across the day.
So forget the pills, potions and powders. Not only will they empty your wallet, but many are unsafe. Stick with the most natural of weight loss supplements, the one that is free, all-natural and will help you lose the weight you are looking to lose: water.
