Recently, I was asked my opinion on appetite suppressants and fat burner supplements. As a certified personal trainer, I am not permitted to provide meal plans or supplement lists to clients. However, I can give my personal advice and share the things I have seen to be most effective for weight loss with my previous clients.
Many people do not realize how vital water is to the human body. Dr. Edward Group III (DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) states, "the body is about 72 percent water." Without adequate amounts of water, our bodies would not function properly. I have trained many clients who tell me they feel fatigue or experience muscle cramps while exercising. One of the first questions I always ask my clients is how much water they have consumed prior to exercising and on a regular basis. It is conclusive that deprivation of water may explain the solution to their problem...drink more water.
How much water should I drink?
The minimum amount of water our bodies need to maintain basic function is about eight glasses per day. However, experts suggest a better estimate is one half your body weight in ounces. For instance, someone weighing 110 pounds should consume approximately 55 fluid ounces, or just under half a gallon of water daily. By drinking the proper amount of water for your body, you may potentially enhance your mood, appetite and physical and mental performance.
How can I remember to drink that much water?
One of the simplest and easiest ways to drink enough water is by creating a routine. The best time to drink water is the moment you wake up and 30 minutes before a meal. By doing so, you speed up your metabolism which causes your body to burn more calories, and it will clear out any toxins built up from the previous day. One of the best ways to build up your immune system is to drink lemon water in the morning. I try to drink at least two glasses of water before consuming breakfast. This allows me to not confuse thirst for hunger. By creating daily habits like this, drinking water will no longer feel like a chore.
In college, energy drinks and caffeine seem to be a daily essential. However, many times they will leave you feeling more fatigued. This is because artificial stimulants such as caffeine and sugar are diuretics. Diuretics dehydrate the body resulting in loss of energy and mental focus. Next time you are feeling tired, try drinking a bottle or two of water before reaching for caffeine. This will allow your body to function optimally, and will not leave you with an unwanted caffeine crash.
My last tip for drinking water would be to have fun with it! There are so many cute water bottles you can find in stores and online today. My two favorite water bottles at the moment are the S'well Water Bottles and the Zig Anything Water Bottles. Also, you can find so many easy and fun water flavoring recipes online.
Below are my favorite water flavoring recipes, and I hope you give them a try! 
