It's calorie-free, inexpensive and easily obtained - yet few people follow the old fashioned advice to drink eight glasses of water a day.

Most people drink when they are thirsty, but usually not enough and certainly not when trying to lose weight.

On average we drink two or three glasses of plain water a day, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey and the total fluid intake by adults is said to total about two quarts of water a day including water from foods and other beverages.

Drinking fluids, particularly, water, during exercise reduces cardiovascular stress and improves performance. After a strenuous workout, you have to replace the fluids you have lost. Otherwise, you will suffer chronic dehydration. Drink water before, during and after exercising, and remember that water reduces body temperature thus making the whole exercise process safer. It can help you exercise longer and more efficiently and this alone would be enough to help you lose weight but water does more ? much more.

Water nourishes your cells, flushes out toxins, prevents constipation and crankiness (no relationship between the two) and it can help keep your skin healthy, youthful and glowing.

But here is the good news.

What if I told you that water is also a NATURAL APPETITE SUPPRESSANT, A GLASS PRIOR TO EATING HELPS CURB YOUR APPETITE BY FILLING YOUR STOMACH and it can HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP IT OFF PERMANENTLY.

Who should drink water?

All of us of course, but pregnant women, nursing mothers, people wanting to lose weight and athletes should be especially careful to drink a sufficient amount. When it is hot or humid, upping water intake is also wise.

Water can be especially helpful for people with a history of kidney stones because it dissolves calcium in the urine, reducing the risk of stone formation. Among physicians, urologists are probably most likely to extol the virtues of water. And it has been documented that drinking water mostly before 6 P.M. can reduce the likelihood of nocturnal bathroom visits.

It is interesting to note also that water helps prevent urinary tract infections, both for men and for women. Dark-coloured urine often suggests you are not drinking enough water.

Here's how to start drinking more water every day. Get into the habit by starting with a glass of water with every meal, preferably with a glass during your meal and then add a glass between meals.

You can learn more about Weight Loss at http://www.weightlosstheeasyway.com and http://www.weightlosshealthprograms.com

Robert Tracz is a speaker, researcher and author. You can find more free weight loss ideas at http://www.weightlosstheeasyway.com and http://www.weightlosshealthprograms.com