Drink Up!!

Getting enough fluids is important, but beware the liquid calories that can sabotage any weight-loss effort. When you're on a weight loss streak, the best drink of choice is water--and plenty of it. Recent studies show that water may play a role in the regulation of your metabolism--your body's calorie-burning engine.
For one thing, if you become dehydrated, your metabolism tends to slow down, meaning that you won't burn as many calories as normal while at rest. In addition, ample water may reduce appetite and control food intake by making you feel full and dilutes sodium levels in the body, making it the best remedy for fluid retention.
If you're eating more protein and fiber and exercising more, as The Biggest Loser weight loss and exercise program recommends, you'll need more water than normal. Aim for 6 to 8 one-cup servings of water or more a day.

Take It Ice Cold
If you can, drink your water ice cold. Your body needs to heat up this water in order to use it properly. Metabolically, heating up water takes energy. In other words, it burns up calories and helps with weight loss. In fact, you can automatically burn up an extra 50 to 100 calories a day by drinking just 4 to 8 cups of ice cold water.

Drinking water doesn't have to be boring, either. Try flavoring a pitcher of plain water with herbs like mint or basil, or slices of citrus fruits or cucumber.

• No-calorie flavored water • Coffee or tea, caffeinated or decaffeinated • Diet sodas (limit to one or two a day) • Herbal teas

What about Alcoholic Beverages?
While you're following a diet, alcohol isn't necessarily off limits, because you can build it into your daily calorie count. However, here are some points to consider carefully prior to imbibing: Alcoholic beverages supply calories (usually in the form of sugar) but few nutrients. A 12-ounce regular beer contains about 150 calories, a 5-ounce glass of wine about 100 calories, and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits about 100 calories.

Drinking alcohol may also interfere with your body's ability to burn fat. Another benefit of abstaining: Drinking lowers your inhibitions and stimulates your appetite, making you more likely to splurge on poor food choices.While you can certainly enjoy alcohol every now and then, be careful because it could interfere with steady weight loss.