Did you know that there's one huge change you can make that is both healthy and affordable? I won't lie. Many people do have a hard time committing to this change, but once they do, they become hooked. What could this change be? My friends, all you have to do is start drinking water. Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Water......how is that going to save me money and why is it so incredibly healthy?" This week let's dive into the wonderful topic of water.

First of all, have you ever considered how much it costs to drink soda, coffee, tea, or alcohol? Not to mention that those prices could soon be even higher thanks to the need for new tax law ideas. Don't get me wrong, bottled water can be just as expensive. It can also be quite damaging to the planet. But, there are ways to save on water.

Tip 1: Skip flavored waters. Flavored waters are not only expensive, but they are harder for your kidneys to filter.

Tip 2: Don't fall for bottled waters. Some companies simply use tap water that isn't even specially filtered. Not to mention that the cost of bottled water can really add up.

Tip 3: Invest in a water filter. You can purchase models for your sink or simpler models that are inside pitchers. Either way, you'll get clean, tasty drinking water without the large expense.

Tip 4: Purchase a reusable water bottle. Having a reusable water bottle makes it easier to take water with you, leaving you with no excuse to drink other beverages.

Now, why is water so much healthier than other drinks? Water not only clears toxins from your system, but it helps clear your body of cholesterol and fat as well. It also keeps you hydrated, whereas drinking too much soda can actually cause dehydration. Water has even been proven to aid in weight loss and is of course easy for your kidneys to process.

There you have it. Water is not only healthy, but it also helps you live a healthy lifestyle while sticking to a budget.

Recently I gave up drinking regular soda such as Sunkist and Coca Cola due to stomach problems and concern about continued weight gain. I thought drinking juice would be a natural and healthy alternative to sugared drinks, boy was I wrong.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that while juice does have more vitamins and nutrients, the store bought brands are not much healthier than soda. Most juice products are not 100-percent fresh-squeezed juice. So the new juicing craze is designed mainly for those who can make or buy fresh juices out of oranges, apples, peaches, strawberries and other fruits.

Just one 150-calorie drink a day that is not whole fruit or vegetable juice can lead to a weight gain of 15.2 pounds a year! And how many of us stop at one? Not me. Two glasses equals 30.4 pounds, and three means 45.6 pounds per year.

So, I'm determined to stop reaching for juice. It would take 15 minutes of extra aerobics every day for me to offset the deficit, and it is just not worth it. Plus, the sugars and corn syrup in many juice drink blends cause a craving for more sugar, affect tooth health, and it is harder to make up for weight gain caused by sugar.

So, what is the best way to get vitamins and nutrients? Eat whole fruit or get a juicing system. This will definitely cut down on sugar intake for adults. I also plan to start taking more tablet vitamins. I love drinking something sweet, but that's a big part of the problem. I'd rather have juice than a piece of chocolate cake, which is a start, but when it comes to losing my excess weight for good, it is just not enough.

I suggest drinking one or two glasses of juice per week and focusing on water with lemon juice and whole fruits for health and sweet tooth purposes. Exercise is always a good idea anyway, and if that gets combined with the proper equipment and clothes, reduced sugar intake, fresh fruit, vitamins and juice, then we're all likely to come out winners at the end of each year. And that is why we're all fighting to stay thin or get thin.