When I start to coach a new client for a transformation, the number one strategy I like to implement in their lives is to introduce the habit of drinking water as they wake up.
I advise them to drink from 700ml to up to 1L of water as soon as they wake up with lemon and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt.
Long ago, my grandpa used to wake up every morning and drink water as he got out of bed. He used to tell me this was one of the best things he could do to help his “wellbeing”. I never really bothered to understand why when I was kid but as I became a health coach and the more I read about it, It became clear that there are many benefits from drinking water as you wake up, most importantly, it will help you on your weight loss journey.
Imagine that you have a busy, time restricted lifestyle which doesn’t allow you to eat your breakfast at home and leave in time for work.
You might need to commute and sometimes there are many interruptions to your journey such as delays on trains, traffic jams, road closures etc. In many ways your trip to work can become a stressful event.
By the time you arrive at work you’re so hungry and prepared to devour pretty much anything in front of you, like cereals, sugary breads, and the list goes on. The last thing on your mind will be following your diet plan and eating the foods you need to keep you lean and healthy.
Now imagine a scenario where you are ready and prepared to take on the world. You’re still unable to eat at home, however, you have your breakfast meal packed and ready to go, cooked the night before. You drink your morning 700ml of mineral water with lemon, which contains the appetite retardant pectin, and a pinch of pink salt full of minerals, you are set for work and you will be able to deal with adversity with a totally different mindset.
I will highlight, in my opinion, the 5 best benefits of drinking water in the morning and why it is so good for your health.
1- Lemons are high in potassium and vitamin C
This alone will help boost your immune system, assist nerve function and control blood pressure. If you don’t like drinking water – loads of people don’t! Adding natural flavour such as lemon, mint or cucumber will definitely do the trick for you.
2- Lemons have a natural occurring thickening, gel-like polysaccharide called pectin
Pectin has has many beneficial functions and helps to retard your appetite.
3- Lemon is a diuretic
In other words, it will help flush toxins out of your body and and help to keep your urinary tract healthy. You could call it an alkalizing drink, by combining all three ingredients (mineral water, lemon and salt) it will help balance your natural pH and therefore give you more energy throughout the day.
4- Electrolyses the body
Ionised salts will help you stay hydrated for longer. If you exercise and sweat often, drinking lemon and salted water is a great source of electrolytes. Often times we think we’re hungry when in reality we are thirsty. Always keep a bottle of water near you and make sure you drink 3-4L a day.
5- Refresh your skin.
Because of the many health benefits, including acid detoxification of the liver, it is very likely that lemon water and salt will make your skin look better. Himalayan salt is packed with as much as 84 trace minerals. Combine this with the highly potent vitamin C from the lemon and you’re in for the most natural anti-aging treatment ever !
I’d like you to try this for at least 3 weeks and get back to me. Let me know how you’re feeling, if you follow these small steps combined with a clean diet, I guarantee you will feel more energized and focused than you ever have before.