I’ve mentioned in previous posts, and in the 90 Day Low Carb Challenge, that I’ve been experiencing an extended weight loss plateau. For about 3 1/2 weeks straight, I was stuck at 160 pounds on the scale.
This was quite frustrating, as I’ve never experienced a “stall” like this before. Certainly not at this weight, or for several weeks on end!
I decided to research solutions, and in my post on How to Break a Weight Loss Plateau one of the solutions was “drinking water to lose weight.”
I had already tried several of the other options on the list, and finally gave in and started drinking water to lose weight. Fast weight loss is what I usually experience on the low carb diet, until I get closer to my ideal weight at least. Usually close to a pound a day, even. So even though I’ve never been a water drinker, I was willing to try anything to break this stall! 😛
For the first few days, I made an effort to drink 60 ounces per day. I felt bloated and the scales didn’t move. I can’t say whether feeling bloated had anything to do with drinking water, as I think I was feeling that way before I started. I started to wonder if the water was even going to work.
But then 3-4 days into it, I woke up one morning feeling “skinny” – and I knew I had finally beaten the stall! Unfortunately I was traveling and didn’t have access to scales, but I could feel it. 😀
Sure enough, I came home and the scales no longer mocked me with that dreaded “160” number that I’d seen every day for almost a solid month. YAY!
I’ll give an official weigh-in tomorrow, along with photos of my (delicious!) low carb meals while traveling this past weekend, so keep an eye out for that post…
Drinking Water To Lose Weight Fast
There is very little actual research, and varying evidence, that drinking water to lose weight actually works. One article I read last week stated that “research says that water helps to break down fat more effectively.” Even this article on Discovery News includes a lot of “might” and “maybe” wording, and they focus mostly on the concept of drinking water before meals to feel less hungry – and eat less food.
However, it’s a bit different for those on the Low Carb Diet.
Water is necessary to flush out excess ketones, prevent constipation, burn fat more effectively (which is what we are doing, instead of burning carbs and sugar), and it also aids in what is commonly known as “The Atkins Flu” by reducing some of those pesky symptoms.
After trying everything else, and literally eating “fish and mayonnaise” for days on end (lol, I know!), it was adding in the water that finally did the trick and got my scales moving again.
So grab a bottle of water and join me! Let’s drink up! 😉 *cheers*
Katerina says
Great article Lynn! Also research shows that drinking cold water at least 2-3 glasses has been shown to boost your metabolism as well.
Lynn Terry says
I read that too. It’s interesting how little there is to back up any of the benefits of drinking water. But I am definitely experiencing good results with it on the low carb diet!
Marge Burkell says
I drink water, LOTS of water every day that I can as the supplements I take flush toxins out of my body (that fat feeds on) so to flush those toxins OUT one needs to drink LOTS of water! If one doesn’t flush them out they will be simply reabsorbed by one’s body and no one wants or can afford that when trying to lose weight! I’ve lot lots of pounds and inches so far and I’m not done yet!
Lynn Terry says
Congrats, Marge! π It has come a bit easier to start the habit than I expected. Or than it was for me in the past. My goal is drink at least 60oz/day to start.
Samantha @ 24 to 30 says
I was so, so addicted to pop, specifically Diet Coke since my teens. I was drinking 3-5 a day. I read an article about all the nasty things pop does to your body, so I gave it up on Sept. 10th. It was so hard. I quit smoking 4 years ago and I have to say that giving up pop was almost as difficult. The headaches were ridiculous. Now I drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning, and 6-8 glasses of water a day. I feel great and it really does help with Atkins, I think.
Lynn Terry says
That’s great, Samantha! A huge accomplishment. π I drink maybe one or two Diet Cokes a day, mostly coffee – and even less now that I’m drinking so much water. My goal is to give up the diet sodas and artificial sweeteners, though I’m doing it gradually instead of cold turkey… *cheers*
Tammy says
Hey Lynn,
Awesome post! π I drink tons of water every day. I try to drink 5 to 6 bottles of water per day. You actually should drink even more! I’m working up to more. You should drink 50% of your weight. Here is a link that will explain a bit more…(not an affiliate link) lol
You can actually drink too much water. π
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090528102253AAstZTA
Marge Burkell says
I have actually been “advised” to drink 1/2 of my body weight in ounces of water per day.
So if one weighs 150 pounds you should drink 75 ounces of water per day. That’s a lot of water for most people. I know I had to make a conscience decision and sit here with a BIG glass of ice water at my elbow all day… that’s the easy part… the hard part is when I am away from my desk! I never remember to take or drink it!
Lynn Terry says
I’m starting with 60 ounces a day as I mentioned earlier, which has been easy, and working my way up to more. I’m trying to listen to my body and determine how much I need. It has definitely helped with the headaches!
Tammy says
Oh, I’ll be watching out for your post. π Thanks!
Lynn Terry says
It’s here in case you missed it π
http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/3455/low-carb-meals-on-the-road/
Diane says
Hi Lynn
One really frustrating thing for me is that the more water I drink the more times I need the bathroom throughout the day. One solution to this is to drink one glass of water every hour. Eventually the more you drink the more you actually crave. Love your ideas and suggestions. Keep them flowing.
Lynn Terry says
“Keep them flowing.” <- No pun intended, right? π LOL... A friend of mine suggested I should drink a bottle of water for every cup of coffee I drink. I said, "Do you KNOW how much coffee I drink?!" π― LOL I'd drown! π I'm working on cutting down on my coffee, by the way. Because between that and the water, I may have to rearrange the house out of convenience. Heh.
Marge Burkell says
Hey Lynn… that’s really not so bad. I attended a seminar this weekend and the Doctor on staff that is the company’s medical expert says that to “compensate” for one glass of soda that one must drink 32 glasses of water…yes, THIRTY-TWO! How crazy is that???
Lynn Terry says
LOL I’d really drown then, hey? π
Tina says
thank you…I needed this. Been LC for about 2 weeks…only .2 loss (and I have over 50 lbs to lose), thinking loss would be easy in the early stages, as I have so…much…to lost. NOT HAPPENING =(. So today, I begin with water.
Lynn Terry says
How’s it going with the water so far, Tina? I would be curious to hear what you’re eating, and how many net carbs per day you consume. I stick to 20/day or less – most of that in green vegetables.