To drink water or not to drink water, that is the question..

We all know the importance of water, or at least we've heard a couple of the facts, like.. our bodies are made up of 60% of water, or the rule that everyone should drink 8 glasses a day. I'm really excited to be blogging about water today for many reasons, but one being its a simple life change that affects every part of your body. Want to learn how? 

LETS DIVE IN...(ha just made a pun)

:)

MY WHOLE LIFE

The thought of drinking water as a hobby made me gag.

 NOW

Water has become my best friend.     

"If you're thirsty, then you are already feeling the beginning effects of dehydration" -Wisdom from my college music teacher.

If a waiter were to take my drink order two years ago, you better believe my answer would have been Sprite, Mountain Dew, or good ol' Sweet Tea. I remember my friend Troy would always get on my case about how i never drank water, i scoffed at him, and at the thought of drinking such a tasteless liquid. Really though i hated water, literally the thought of drinking it made me gag, and would just put me in a bad mood. I mean who doesnt love to eat pizza or a burger and fries with a nice cold Sprite, or wash down popcorn during a movie with Cherry Coke?

As i started to workout and slowly change my eating habits, i found out quickly that chugging a mountain dew after a run, not only made me sick but also defeated the purpose of that run with the sugar i was putting in my belly. I started noticing after workouts i would crave Water, which is natural because hello, when you work out you sweat, and your body needs you to refill its water level, and the only way to do that is SIP SIP SIP.

Today i can proudly say my only drink of choice is a nice tall glass (or bottle) of WATER. I literally have cut every other drink out, including Juices, Soda, Teas, Lemonades and yes ladies even Coffee.

Now im not saying you have to do what i did to have results, you just need to be aware of what your putting into your body. Remember Knowledge = Will Power.

For example:

                             Drink                                      Calorie Count

• Sweet Tea from Mcdonalds                           280
• Medium Coke at a  restaurant                       210 (think about how many refills you get also)
• Can of Mountain dew                                    165
• Tall Caramel Mocha Frappuccino                    320

I typically try to stay under 1200 calories a day and i don't want to waste those calories on something im just washing my food down with. Not to mention even more importantly most ingredients in drinks include hazardous ingredients that are not good for the body.

So you might still be asking..

                         "Sarah why should i choose water over The Dew"?

• Water is a free and easy cleanse for your body to flush all of those toxins out.
• Helps you POOP because it cleans out your colon.
• Drinking a glass of ice cold water when you first wake up in the morning will jump start your metabolism by 40%, and also its a Japanese secret that doing this also fights against major diseases.
• Regulates body temperature.
• Transports oxygen and nutrients into our bodies cells.
• Water is a source of energy and will give you an energy boost.
• You look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity.

What i personally do through out the day:

• I bought a half gallon water jug that holds enough water to cover my intake for the day, not only helps you keep track but also saves the cost and waste of using multiple water bottles.
• First thing i do every morning literally before anything else is go to the kitchen and drink a glass of ice cold water with my breakfast bar.
• I drink water all day long, literally, all day.
• I make it a point when eating out or at home to take a drink of water after every bite of food, this will not only ensure intake but also help you become full faster.
• I also love to add lemon slices to my water, not only does it add flavor but lemon is proven to help cleanse your kidneys and fight hunger cravings.

ONE LAST WORD OF ADVICE:

DO:

Do drink water before and after a workout :)

DONT:

I know you just ran a 5k or walked for an hour but pouring water over yourself might attract some attention from the opposite sex, but would be much better if it goes in your mouth :)

HAPPY NUTRITION MONTH EVERYONE!

I am so excited to share with you my tips, tricks, and knowledge iv learned along the way..because lets face it ladies..ignorance is not bliss..and KNOWLEDGE = WILL POWER!

Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

Thank You for reading, Many more blogs to come, Sarah Hupp

Knowledge = Will Power

Major weight loss is an interesting thing to go through. It takes no time to put on the extra weight, but when you go to take it off, it proves to be a bigger challenge. 

When you make up your mind to start a journey to better health and fitness sometimes the end goal can seem impossible to reach. But iv learned in the past two years that anything is Possible, cliche?, Yes But its true. Our very being and foundation is set on Faith, so why not practice that not only in your spiritual life but also in every area of your life.

I want to encourage you, if your reading this and have been wanting to make a change towards a healthier you, DO IT NOW. Please dont wait. Iv reached way farther that i have ever thought was possible, my Friend Maria Fleming, who was and still is a huge support system during this process would often tell me during workouts when i felt i reached my limit, "You are more stronger than you think". This statement is truth, we put so many limits on ourselves with our minds, when fact is God made these bodies in his image, and they are so strong and can endure, the only thing that holds us back and sets limits is ourselves.

My Journey to health and fitness began June of 2011. I had just finished my third year of bible college. It proved to have been a very stressful year, between working full time and going to school full time, i was a very busy girl who didnt make time to workout and ate as cheap as possible. While in school my meals consisted of Fast Food drive through's, roman noodles, or hamburger helper. I can remember going to McDonalds and eating a breakfeast meal, then going back through the same drive through for a big mac meal at lunch time. I was twenty one and my college diet crept up on me quickly. One day  i was looking at pictures of myself from a weekend trip and couldn't believe my eyes (it was the picture below of me in the gray marshall shirt). When and how did i get that big? Was that really me in the picture? I was so ashamed that i had let myself get so overweight and unhealthy. I was very unhappy with myself, and my self esteem was at an all time low. In that moment i decided right then and there that i was going to change, i didnt care how hard it was going to be, i wanted to get into the best shape of my life. I embarked on a journey that has proved to be the best decision i could have ever made.

I went from a size 16 and now currently a size 6. 
Weight wise i went from 212 lbs to 135lbs.

Many people have asked me how i did it? ..and many times i think people expected my answer to be found in a weight loss shake, Jenny craig, weight watchers,  nutri system, liposuction, or that magical stuff you sprinkle on your food and it makes all the calories melt away..Not that these methods are wrong, but iv learned that most of those are good for twenty to thirty pounds and then most people hit a weight plateau or they realize they cant drink shakes the rest of their lives or spend more money on pre made foods,so they give up.

So you want to know how i did it? ...Wait for it...Prepare to be blown away......its crazy.....

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My Method was and is.....I did it the 'old fashioned way'!

Below are the three major changes i made:

1. Drink Water
2. Work out
3. Calorie Count

Stay tuned as i go into detail and break down in my next blogs each of the above changes i made! I am so excited to share with you my tips, tricks, and knowledge iv learned along the way..because lets face it ladies..ignorance is not bliss..and KNOWLEDGE = WILL POWER!

Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

Thank You for reading, Many more blogs to come, Sarah Hupp.