The colour of urine and appearance of stools gives us a clue how hydrated we are...

Since starting to drink water, the correct amount every single day starting last Sunday (we are in week 1!) I have read a lot around the topic of water. Water goes in and water goes out so natually, I'm going to discuss it "at the other end..."

Starting with urine colour.

Below is a chart which indicates that urine should be straw coloured, and not yellow or dark.

Compare yours - do you need to drink more water? It is healthy to check each time and make a mental note if you need to drink more. <Not only make a mental note, but actually drink more, too!>

We should be visiting the loo once in every 2 hours if our water systems are flowing properly with a straw colour to the urine. Make time for this in your work day especially.

Next, onto stools. Using the Bristol Stool Scale, I found a lovely explanation of the different types of stool below:

I am focussing on the Type I and II stools because these are the dehydrated ones which have been in the colon far too long.

In an ideal situation, a colon cleanse in the form of colon hydrotherapy would be best in order to keep the colon hydrated.

We are aiming for a Type 4 stool which is like a sausage or snake and easy to pass.

So, that's my discussion on excretion for a day - pop over and leave some comments on my Facebook Page if you wish!

Helen x

Migraines

A migraine is a result of chronic dehydration of the body at a cellular level. All things start out as cells, we are just a bunch of walking cells, so let's think about the poor little mites for a moment...

Migraines are caused primarily in the body by dehydration if it’s truly a migraine headache. Now, it could be several other different kinds of headaches being diagnosed as a migraine, but if it’s truly a migraine headache the primary cause is dehydration at a cellular level, and it’s simply your brain saying:

HELLOOO! You've forgotten about me, again! I run your body for you every day, I regulate your breathing, your digestion, I do EVERYTHING for you, and I don't ask for much, but can you please give me some water??

When I say water I’m talking about some good clean water with no added chemicals, and you need to be drinking half of your body weight in ounces every single day if you want to overcome these migraines.

Half of your body weight in ounces every single day, and it takes you 90 days to be completely hydrated at a cellular level.So if you have a heavier body weight obviously you need more water. This is to dilute the toxins, and have the body to operate with some efficiency. This is no quick fix. We have to be comitted to our bodies and our cells, for life as they are stuck, with us!

To follow me, changing 52 things about my life in 52 weeks, 'like' my Facebook Page!
Helen x

"I never feel thirsty..."

You may never feel thirsty so feel that you don't need to drink plain water. 

Chronically dehydrated people usually feel no thirst. The long-term dehydration has deleted their thirst instinct. The thirst will return when you start to drink more water on a daily basis. 

I read an article 13 Symptoms of Chronic Dehydration and the reason I began drinking water was because of extreme, constant fatigue. I remember the 8 glasses seeming like such a challenge back then but it helps tremendously. I started to notice other things improving too such as digestion and it's wonderful when you start to quickly notice the benefits. 

I keep thinking of those nice plump hydrated cells, which are more like grapes than raisins in my body. They are much more likely to function well because I am giving them what they need. 

Week 1: 2 Litres of Water

Water is the essence of life, and our bodies are 60 - 70% water , so it is important that we have some intake for the body on a daily basis. 

Dehydration causes stress, and stress causes dehydration. It's time to break this cycle for more short and long term health benefits than we care to recognise!

Although we know that 2 litres is essential for a functioning cells, most of us do not drink this amount per day. 

It is important that the 2 litres consumption is broken down over the course of the day and it may be advisable to start, if currently you drink no plain water, at 500ml per day and make your way slowly up to 2 litres. If you instantly start on 2 litres, the body will quickly start to eliminate toxins and you may feel unwell so build up slowly, you have all week! 

In the beginning, when you start to drink water you may notice your amount of toilet breaks increase significantly. After approximately 4 days your body will become used to this and use the water, rather than letting it 'run straight through'. Imagine a plant, where the soil is bone dry becuase it has not been watered in a while. The water will run through it, before it starts to be absorbed properly. 

I must make clear what I mean by 2 litres of water in no uncertain terms! This is plain water, no additives, flavourings, fizz, and certainly tea and coffee do not count. These drinks can be consumed in addition to the water and yes I am aware it seems like a lot. 

So - getting on to HOW to get started. See the picture below with the bottles. Which method to you seems like the easiest to consume your 2 litres? 

I prefer the 4x500ml bottles. On a work day, Monday - Friday, I make sure I have drank two in the morning and two in the afternoon. In between each of my patients I will take a sip. 

At weekends it is much more difficult and I prefer the 750ml bottles. This way I can have one in the morning, one in the afternoon and the other half a bottle, usually with lunch.
Whichever is the easiest method for you, which fits around your lifestyle. Let me know what you plan to do, pop your comments on my Facebook Page, these are all helpful for my course. 

Once this has been made into a habit, your body will let you know when you aren't drinking enough. 


More information coming in the week, for now, get your water bottles ready!

Helen x