FAQs

Earlier this week I asked for your questions, and here are a few of them, answered:

How much water should I be drinking each day?

Eight glasses has been a common suggestion, but lately a good rule to follow is half your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 180 pounds, drink 90 ounces of water a day. Eleven 8-ounce glasses could be tedious so you may want to find a nice 16-20 ounce tumbler and fill it up with each meal and keep near you throughout the day.

Do other beverages like coffee and tea count toward my daily water requirement?

Experts disagree on how much other beverages should weigh in on your daily water intake goal but the majority of them say probably not. The reason is that other beverages often contain sugar, sodium and dehydrating agents that are more toxic to your body than cleansing. Pure water regulates body temperature, aids brain and lung function, lubricates joints and strengthens bones. Water metabolizes fat for conversion to energy. The average adult body is made up of about 70% water.

Does exercising at different times throughout the day have the same effect as exercising all at once?

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that you can break your exercise time up into smaller increments and still get the same effect. If you find it difficult to get a 30 minute break in your day to walk, try walking for 15 minutes during a lunch break -- especially if you sit at a desk all day, and 15 minutes after work.

How do I know how much I should weigh?

One way to gauge this is to measure your BMI (Body Mass Index). This simple calculation takes your height into consideration and provides ideal weight ranges. A BMI of 18.5 or less is underweight, normal is 18.5-24.9, overweight is 25-29.5 and obese is 30 or higher. If your BMI is in the obese range or borderline obese, please consult your physician about potential health risks and begin a monitored weight loss program. At my highest weight this past Christmas, my BMI was 32 -- clearly obese. Today it is 28, still in the high overweight category but moving in the right direction.