6 Things You Should Know About Water (But Probably Don't)

A glass of good old water can cure everything from headaches to fatigue. Gulp down the latest information on getting your fill, deliciously.

Whatever the latest food trend—chia seeds, coconut flour, kale chips—you're on it. But you might be skimping on the most basic thing you can do for your health: chugging enough water.

"I see this happening a lot with busy women," notes Pamela Peeke, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and author of Body for Life for Women. "They become so absorbed with work, answering e-mails and texting that they neglect to grab a water bottle." Soon they're parched and draggy. 

Other signs of mild dehydration: muscle cramps, dizziness and headaches. Women who are even slightly dehydrated may find it harder to concentrate than those who aren't, according to a recent study in The Journal of Nutrition. And if your body is regularly running low on water, you're more likely to be constipated, too.

Dehydration tends to happen most during the summer months. "On top of transporting nutrients to your cells and protecting your kidneys, water regulates body temperature," Dr. Peeke explains. As you heat up, your skin starts pumping out water to cool you off, which can put you at a deficit if you're not careful. But don't sweat it—our expert guide makes it easy to stay quenched all season long.

How much fluid should I drink every day? 
You've probably heard you should have eight glasses daily, but it turns out that's a little low. (This popular recommendation has been around mainly because it's easy to remember—8 ounces eight times per day.) "A good baseline is 2.2 liters, or about 9 cups of fluid a day," Dr. Peeke says. You may need even more if you're overweight, live at a high altitude or are working in extremely hot weather, all of which are dehydrating factors. Experts agree that your best gauge is that time-tested one: checking your pee. "You want it to be the color of lemonade," says Kim Larson, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. If it's medium to dark yellow, down a glass, stat. Sorry, but you don't get any bonus points for clear urine, a sign that you're actually drinking more than you need. According to a major review published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, there's no significant evidence that guzzling extra glasses will help flush your body of toxins, improve skin tone or reduce headaches any better than being adequately hydrated will.

But wait—don't I have to get more when I exercise? 
That depends. If you'll be indoors and have managed to stay hydrated all day before the workout, then no. But if you're in the summer heat, you can easily sweat out the equivalent of 4 cups of fluid in an hour-long outdoor session. In that case, drink 20 ounces of water an hour before, and try to take in about one half of a cup during every 15 minutes of activity, Larson advises. Going for a jog first thing in the morning? Have a drink beforehand. And if you're training for a marathon or playing a sport for a few hours, weigh yourself before and after, says Leslie Bonci, RD, a sports nutritionist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: "For every pound you've lost during your workout, drink 24 ounces of fluid to get hydrated again."
Does my daily morning coffee count? 
Surprise: It does, per a new study from the University of Birmingham in England. Researchers asked java drinkers to sip either coffee or water and found that caffeine isn't dehydrating. There's a caveat, though. If you never drink caffeine and then have a cup of coffee, it acts as a diuretic and draws water from your body, explains Leslie Spry, MD, spokesperson for the National Kidney Foundation. "But if you have coffee regularly," he adds, "your body becomes habituated and it doesn't have the same effect." Other beverages, including tea, milk, OJ and sports drinks, also work, although you don't want to overcaffeinate or down too much sugar. What to avoid? Soft drinks, even diet kinds. "They have salt, which dehydrates you," Dr. Peeke says. "So many women think, Ahh, how refreshing! But soda just sucks fluid out of your cells."

How much does the water that I consume from foods like fruit matter? 
Water in food accounts for about 20 percent of people's daily fluid needs, according to the Institute of Medicine. "And the hydration you get from food is just as good as what you get from drinking water," says Dr. Peeke. For example, a grilled chicken breast, served with cauliflower and one-half cup of spinach, nets you almost a full cup of water. There's even a hidden perk to watery bites: They may help you slim down. (Here are 7 Foods That Help You Lose Pounds.)

If I drink a lot one day, does it make a difference if I don't have as much the next? 
Reality check: You are not a camel. Human bodies weren't designed to store excess water. "After a couple of hours, you just pee it out," says Bonci. The reality is, you need to reach your H2O goal every single day to sidestep energy dips and other health troubles. If you tend to skimp, especially at times when you've got a lot going on, tap an app to help; try Waterlogged, which will send you reminders to drink up. The good news is that even if you get seriously thirsty and realize that you haven't been drinking enough water, your body will rebound after you down a glass or two. Cheers!

Do I need a water filter?Despite mandated monitoring, "there can still be trace amounts of impurities in tap water, including lead that leaches from plumbing," explains Cheryl Luptowski, home-safety expert for NSF International. Even very low levels of lead in water have been linked to cognitive issues, particularly in children. First, call your supplier to get your water report. A simple carbon filter may be enough. But if there's just a tiny bit of arsenic, lead or perchlorates, you'll need a home filtration system designed for your issues.


H2Glow 
Four sneaky things that parch your skin—and how to keep your complexion radiant:




The superhigh office AC 
"Cool air lacks humidity—which means it takes water from elsewhere, including your skin," says Debra Jaliman, MD, author of Skin Rules. Apply a refreshing gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which locks in water better than your average moisturizer.
 



Fun in the sun 
Exposure can deplete your skin's natural oils, even if you wear sunscreen. And pool chlorine can be extremely drying, so shower off ASAP and rub in lotion while skin is still damp. At night, apply a facial moisturizer with glycolic acid, such as Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir.                       











Happy hour 
Alcohol is dehydrating, and summer faves like margaritas and Bloody Marys are also salty. Head off problems by having a glass of water between drinks—with a cute little cocktail umbrella, if it helps.

 


Your bedtime routine 
You may be tempted to use an alcohol-based toner in the summertime to clear up excess oil, but it can leave your skin too dry. Better to go with an oil-removing cleanser. Try Biore Deep Pore Charcoal cleanser


 

A Core Workout for Flat Abs in 4 Simple Moves

Flat abs in four weeks
Whittle your waist with this 20-minute routine based on Kira Stokes’s super-hot Core Cuts. These standing ab moves require lots of balance and stability, giving your core muscles an extra challenge.

Do this workout 3 times a week (plus 40 minutes of intense cardio 4 times a week)—and you can lose 2 inches off your midsection in just four weeks. Do all the moves once, then repeat the entire circuit 2 more times.

Standing oblique crunch
A. Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, with your weight on your right leg and a 3- to 5-pound dumbbell in your left hand. Stretch your left hand up and overhead to the right so you feel a stretch in your left side waist (aka your oblique).

B. Crunch your torso to the left, bringing your left knee up and left elbow down toward each other as if trying to crack a nut between your ribs. Return to previous position. Do 12–15 reps, then switch sides and repeat.

Trainer tip: For maximum core challenge, tap the ball of your foot on the floor after each rep instead of putting your whole foot down.

Upside-down pendulum

A. Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart and knees slightly bent. Hold a 3- to 5-pound dumbbell between both hands, and extend your arms toward the ceiling.

B. With head between arms, bend to the left as far as possible, keeping hips and shoulders square. At the last moment, rotate toward floor, then rotate back to forward-facing position and return to arms overhead. Repeat on other side, moving smoothly (like a pendulum). Do 10 reps per side.

Warrior III balance crunch
A. Stand with feet together, holding a 3- to 5-pound dumbbell with both hands. Extend arms and slowly tilt forward at the waist, lifting left leg so it and your upper body are parallel to the floor and your arms are by your ears.

B. Bend elbows to bring the weight in toward your chest. At the same time, bring left knee in toward your chest so elbows and knee meet at the midline. Return to previous position. Do 12–15 reps, then switch sides and repeat.

Squat sweep

A. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a 3- to 5-pound dumbbell between both hands. With your shoulders and hips square and knees pointing forward, lower into a squat and bring the weight down by your right hip.

B. Push from your heels up and out of squat position, sweeping the weight diagonally across your body until it’s above your left shoulder. Do 15 reps; switch sides and repeat.

Trainer tip: Need help maintaining proper form? Hold a yoga block or ball between your legs.

The Ultimate Tummy Toner

Reverse Crunch

Lie on your back on a mat, and place your hands behind your head. Bend your knees and lift your feet off the floor, pointing your toes toward the ceiling. Contract your abs and curl up your tailbone, slightly lifting your lower back off the mat. Return to starting position, and repeat for 1 minute.

Trainer tip: Raise and lower your tailbone slowly to best target your lower abs.

Side Twist - A

A. Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Raise both arms out to your sides and bend elbows to 90 degrees, pointing your fingertips toward the ceiling. Extend your left foot to the side, and twist your torso so your left arm is in front of you and your right arm is behind you.

Slide Twist - B

B. Twist your torso back toward the left, and raise your left knee toward your chest. Continue this motion for 45 seconds, then  switch sides and repeat.

Trainer tip: Keep your abs tight throughout the move.



Pilates T-Stand - A

A. Sit on the floor or a mat with your left leg extended and right leg bent, right foot tucked under your left calf. Shift your weight onto your right hip, and put your right hand on the mat for support. Lift your hips and place your right knee on the mat. Raise your left hand toward the ceiling so that your upper body is shaped like a T.

Low Hover

Start in modified plank position, supporting your weight with your forearms and the balls of your feet; your body should be in a straight line from your feet to your head. Hold this position for 30 seconds, then bend your left knee and lower it to the mat beneath your right knee. You should feel this part of the move in the muscles on your sides (known as your obliques). Straighten your left leg to return to the starting position. Repeat with your right leg; alternate legs for 30 seconds.

Trainer tip: Make sure you don’t arch your back or let your tummy droop while you’re doing this move.

5 Tips for Staying Active With Kids and Family

If you’ve got kids, of course you want to make sure they grow up fit and healthy. But you also know it’s hard to juggle work, family, and physical activity. Still, setting a healthy example is a good start. So if you’re looking for ways to get your kids involved, check out these tips.

Help your family get active

When it comes to heart health, it’s important that we think not only of our own cardiovascular health but also that of future generations. A study last year found that obese children and teens have as much plaque in their arteries as a 45-year-old adult, setting them up for heart disease and other serious health conditions much earlier than their parents.

If you’ve got kids, of course you want to make sure they grow up fit and healthy. But you also know it’s hard to juggle work, family, and physical activity. Still, setting a healthy example is a good start; research shows that parents who are physically active increase the likelihood that their kids will be active as well. So if you’re looking for ways to get your kids involved, check out these tips.

Plan outdoor activities

Set aside one day a weekend to do something active as a family: swimming in the summer, sledding or hiking in the winter, or biking in the spring and fall. Taking along a picnic lunch—and splurging on some healthy snacks after a good workout—will help the day go by without a complaint.

Take classes together

Ask around at fitness clubs and community centers in your area about yoga or aerobics classes offered to parents and kids together. If your little one is too young to participate, look for classes that help you burn calories with your baby by incorporating them into your yoga moves or pushing them along during stroller workouts. No kids? Check out partner yoga or even doga—yup, yoga for you and your dog.

Redo your family room

Too often, family rooms are the center of laziness in a home: a comfy couch, a video-game console, a shelf full of DVDs, and nothing to encourage fitness or physical activity. There are ways to add in subtle reminders, however, without overhauling your entire room or dragging in a giant piece of workout equipment. Set a time limit on weekly television viewing and incorporate these Skinny House essentials to keep your whole family moving.

Make chores fun

Instead of relegating each member of the family to doing separate chores by themselves, turn chores into a game you can all do together. Race to see how fast you can get the house cleaned, and then try to beat your old time the next week. Play music while you’re doing laundry, and enlist the kids to sing and dance while helping to fold and put clothes away. Take the dog for walks together, and squeeze in some running, roller-skating, or jump rope while you’re at it.

Make over your meal plan

This isn’t necessarily a fitness tip, but it’s also worth mentioning: Families that eat healthier also tend to have other healthy habits, such as regular physical activity. If you want to slim down after having a baby or just want to eat better overall, get your entire family involved and you’re more likely to succeed. Take kids to the farmers' market, let them pick their own fruits and vegetables, and involve them in the food preparation. They’re much more likely to enjoy their meals—and to clean their plates.

7 Foods for Better Sex

Enough about oysters, already!

If you want to put some sizzle back into your sex life, food can help you set the mood. There’s nothing better than a romantic, home-cooked dinner, featuring some R-rated foods to help turn up the heat. “There’s a growing body of evidence that some of the vitamins and components in foods can enhance sexual function and sexual experience,” says Jennifer R. Berman, MD, the director of the Berman Women’s Wellness Center, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Here are some of the food ingredients (and my own favorite recipes) that have been major players in aphrodisiac history and lore, and also have modern-day science to back up their claims.

Avocados

The Aztecs referred to avocados as, ahem, testicles, because of their physical shape. But the scientific reason why avocados make sense as an aphrodisiac is that they are rich in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat, making them good for your heart and your arteries. Anything that keeps the heart beating strong helps keep blood flowing to all the right places; in fact, men with underlying heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED).

Almonds

Topping my list of feisty foods, almonds have long been purported to increase passion, act as a sexual stimulant, and aid with fertility. Like asparagus (another one of my favorite sexy foods), almonds are nutrient-dense and rich in several trace minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction, such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.  “Zinc helps enhance libido and sexual desire,” says Dr. Berman. “We don’t really understand the mechanisms behind it, but we know it works.”

Strawberries

The color red is known to help stoke the fire: A 2008 study found that men find women sexier if they’re wearing red, as opposed to cool colors such as blue or green. Strawberries are also an excellent source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps ward off birth defects in women and, according to a University of California, Berkley study, may be tied to high sperm counts in men. This Valentine’s Day, try making dark-chocolate-dipped strawberries. And while we’re on the subject, there’s a reason we give chocolate on Valentine’s Day: It’s full of libido-boosting methylxanthines.

Seafood

Despite their slippery and slimy texture, oysters may be the most well-known aphrodisiac. They’re also one of the best sources of libido-boosting zinc. But other types of seafood can also act as aphrodisiacs. Oily fish—like wild salmon and herring—contain , which are essential for a healthy heart.

Arugula







Arugula has been heralded as an arousal aid since the first century. Today, research reveals that the trace minerals and antioxidants packed into dark, leafy greens are essential for our sexual health because they help block absorption of some of the environmental contaminants thought to negatively impact our libido. 

Figs

These funny-shaped fruits have a long history of being a fertility booster, and they make an excellent aphrodisiac because they are packed with both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is important for heart health. Plus, high-fiber foods help fill you up, not out, so it’s easier to achieve that sexy bottom line—or belly.

Citrus

Any member of this tropical fruit family is super-rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid—all of which are essential for men’s reproductive health. Enjoy a romantic salad that incorporates citrus, like pink grapefruit or mandarin oranges, or use a dressing made with lemon and lime.

Real Superpower Man who eats everything

Michel Lotito has a stomach lining which is twice as thick as normal, and it is a rare condition that most doctors are not sure how it occurs. This man can eat metal, glass, as well as toxic and poisonous material. He also consumes mineral oil and drinks tons of water. His gastric juices, or digestive acids, are unusually powerful, which is the only explanation on how he can digest metallic feasts. He entered the Guinness book of records after eating an airplane. It took him TWO YEARS to finish it (from 1978 to 1980).

Here is the list of items consumed by Michel Lotito

Bicycle - 18
Shopping cart - 15
Television - 7
Chandelier - 6
Bed - 2
Skis - 1
Cessna aircraft - 1
Coffin - 1
A steel chain - 400m

Michel Lotito died of natural causes on June 25, 2007, ten days after his 57th birthday.

Zeus - Guiness World Record for Tallest Dog

Zeus from Michigan in the United States has entered into the Guinness World Records 2013 Book for World's Tallest Dog. The 3-year-old dog measures 44 inches from foot to shoulder. Standing on his hind legs, Zeus stretches to 7-foot-4 and towers over his owner, Denise Doorlag. Zeus is so tall, in fact, that he can drink water from the kitchen faucet without even standing on his hind legs. Zeus breaks the record of previous record-breaking Giant George, who is 1-inch shorter. Zeus eats an entire 14-kilogram bag of food every day and weighs in at 70.3 kilograms.