(Example: April weighs 94 pounds, her boyfriend Mark weighs 195 pounds. According to the formula, April
should drink 6 glasses of water per day [94 /2 = 47, /8 = 5.875 rounded up to 6]. On the other hand, Mark needs 14 glasses of water each day
because he spends an hour each day working out and runs 3 miles a day [195 /2 = 97.5, /8 = 12.1875 rounded down to 12, plus 2 for physical
activity].)
Your water intake should be spread out over the course of the day to ensure proper absorption. Overloading
your body with water at the end of the day because you failed to drink the recommended amount during the day is less beneficial for the body,
and may make you feel bloated and increase your need to go to the bathroom during the night.
Things to Avoid:
The following items may seem like common sense to many of us, in that they aren't great choices in the first
place. However, few people realize the different ways these things affect the body, particularly the skin. If you are really interested in
good-looking and healthy skin, then these are things you need to avoid:
Smoking and Tobacco products: Many people already see cigarettes, cigars, pipes and
smokeless tobacco products as unattractive habits. Not only is tobacco use linked to cancer, but it has also been linked to premature aging and
wrinkling of the skin. The nicotine in tobacco products causes contraction and weakening of the blood vessels and small capillaries, which
supply blood to the tissues. The result is decreased circulation and oxygen deprivation. In addition to wrinkles, you may also develop a
yellowish or grayish cast to the skin, and your skin can have a dull appearance.
Illegal drugs: The list of what are considered 'illegal drugs' is based on American laws,
and therefore include substances like marijuana and hashish. Other such substances include, heroin, pcp, crystal meth, cocaine, and any other
chemical substance used without the express prescription of a physician. These drugs have as serious an effect on the skin as tobacco. Use of
these substances interferes with the body's oxygen intake, preventing healthy cell growth. Aside from yellowing and graying of the skin, some
drugs can even aggravate serious skin conditions, like acne. Others can cause dryness and allergic reactions on the skin's surface.
Alcohol: The use of alcohol has an opposite, yet equally damaging effect on the skin. Heavy
alcohol intake over-dilates the blood vessels and capillaries. Repeated over-dilation will cause the capillaries to burst causing a flushed
appearance to the skin and red splotches in the whites of the eyes. Alcohol also dehydrates the skin by drawing water out of the tissues which
causes the skin to appear dull and dry.
Giving careful consideration to what goes into your body is the best way to ensure a good, healthy appearance
on the outside. Your skin is your first line of immunity defense, and an important factor in looking good. It is necessary that you give it the
care and nourishment it needs to be healthy.
