How Much Water to Lose Weight?

It's a common fitness question: How much water is necessary to lose weight? Well, the simple answer is that most people need to drink about 70 - 80 ounces of water per day for maximum weight loss and fitness success. The not-so-simple answer is that it varies by individual. In his Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle ebook fitness expert Tom Venuto states: "...8 to 10 (8-oz) glasses of water per day is okay as a ballpark...but water needs vary depending on a number of factors... large individuals need more water than smaller people... highly active individuals need more than those who are inactive ... Climate can also affect your hydration needs..." (Note: In the book he provides a detailed method for calculating exactly how much water you need to lose weight, as well as a list of good water-alternatives.)

An important thing to remember about hydration is to not wait until you're thirsty to begin drinking water. By that point you're actually quite dehydrated. One of the best fitness habits you can develop is to carry a large bottle of water with you throughout the day and sip from it constantly. That ensures you're always well-hydrated and that your fat metabolism is functioning as well as it can. Also, when trying to calculate how much water to lose weight, always err on the high side. Drinking too much water is much better than not drinking enough!