Drinking the proper amount of water

[vivo]

i am baaaaaad at this. water has no taste. any luck with flavored water? i generally dont get more than 2 cups, maybe less. any water strategies? yes if u get sweaty you'll feel like having some. but then the amt u need i think is more than the normal amt /day. but probably better to do that and drink than to not and not drink.

[embrassezla]

I'm bad at drinking water, too. I found some teas that are yummy, so that's been working for me. They aren't decaf, but very low in caffeine. I'm drinking pineapple guava white tea at the moment :)

[BlueEyedFunOne]

Holy dehydration, batman! Maybe try a lemon/lime/orange slice in your water to add more flavor.

I think there's a standard for how much water people should drink in a day, but I'm not sure what it is. Either way, I definitely drink my fair share...3-4 Nalgene bottles every day. Hydration is very important to me. I feel crappy, tired and slow when I'm dehydrated.

I'm not sure about the flavored waters, but if it gets you to drink more, super!

[BlueEyedFunOne]

I'm drinking pineapple guava white tea at the moment :)

That sounds absolutely fabulous! :)

[vivo]

Holy dehydration, batman! Maybe try a lemon/lime/orange slice in your water to add more flavor.

I think there's a standard for how much water people should drink in a day, but I'm not sure what it is. Either way, I definitely drink my fair share...3-4 Nalgene bottles every day. Hydration is very important to me. I feel crappy, tired and slow when I'm dehydrated.

I'm not sure about the flavored waters, but if it gets you to drink more, super!

8 cups a day or 6-8 cups/day. although in dispute.

[embrassezla]

from here (http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/10_ways_to_boost_immune_health):

You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.)

So if you weigh 150lbs, you should be drinking 75oz = 9.4 (8oz) glasses of water per day.

[MetFanL]

I drink 2 gallons of water a day. Literally.

[dostoy]

from here (http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/10_ways_to_boost_immune_health):

You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.)

So if you weigh 150lbs, you should be drinking 75oz = 9.4 (8oz) glasses of water per day.
Whoa no fucking way.

[vivo]

from here (http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/10_ways_to_boost_immune_health):

You should be drinking, in daily ounces, half your body weight in pounds. (i.e. Body weight in pounds, divided by 2 = number of ounces of water per day.)

So if you weigh 150lbs, you should be drinking 75oz = 9.4 (8oz) glasses of water per day.

never heard that. damn too much for me. I weigh more than 150. I mean 8 is already a lot.

[embrassezla]

that's just one source, i'm sure others differ.

but remember, if you aren't used to drinking lots of water, your body will feel bloated, you'll have to pee constantly, etc, if you try. eventually, your body gets used to the extra, & it doesn't feel like that anymore.

[embrassezla]

I drink 2 gallons of water a day. Literally.
But you also work out like a madwoman daily, yes? So that makes sense.

Shouldn't the guideline depend on activity level? Hmm.

[WorkInProgress]

Some days I'm better about it than others. Like today, I'm dehydrated, and I know it. But I'm also busy with a quick deadline and working my ass off, so I forget to take breaks to drink water.

[MetFanL]

But you also work out like a madwoman daily, yes? So that makes sense.

Shouldn't the guideline depend on activity level? Hmm.
Yes. And, yes, as my activity level went up, I apparently needed more water. I think it has something to do with flushing out the lactic acid after I lift, but I could be making that up.

[biodork]

Yes. And, yes, as my activity level went up, I apparently needed more water. I think it has something to do with flushing out the lactic acid after I lift, but I could be making that up.
No I think that's right. Whenever I get a massage, they always tell me to drink a lot of water afterward because of all the lactic acid that's released. I would think it's the same with your lifting.

[Chameleon]

but remember, if you aren't used to drinking lots of water, your body will feel bloated, you'll have to pee constantly, etc, if you try. eventually, your body gets used to the extra, & it doesn't feel like that anymore.
I've tried upping my water intake and like clockwork, about half an hour after drinking a glass, I need to go pee. Taking 5-10 trips to the bathroom every day at work seemed a little excessive. How long does it take for your body to adjust?

[coll214]

I make a conscious effort to, but i'm doing good if I get in 5-6 a day, maybe slightly more if I exercise. Having crystal light can help to add some taste to water and no calories. I do notice though that I get headaches if I only have 1 or 2.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I usually get my 8+ glasses of water daily. I don't mind the taste of water as long as it's cold, but obviously I'll drink water if it's warm too. And I noticed since living out here in Phoenix, I drink a whole lot more and I tend to carry a water bottle with me all the time during the summer months.

I was told that other drinks (as long as they don't contain caffiene) count towards your every day water intake, but still the majority of your liquids should be water.

[weary]

i drink water almost exclusively unless i go out for a drink or dinner w/ friends. but yeah, upping the intake def makes you go pee all the time and that's a PITA. interesting equation on how much you should drink daily...

[CityGal]

Lately I have been really good at having the recommended 8-10 glasses. Although sometimes it can get tough.

[and1grad]

I drink 3-4 liters of water a day. One thing that helps me is bringing drinks I can dilute. Tea helps also.

[Kitty]

I'm horrible..I drink maybe a cup of water a day, if that. I've managed to live this long..

[Chameleon]

One thing that helps me is bringing drinks I can dilute.
When I'm home I tend to drink a glass of half cranapple juice and half water, mostly because I think most of the fruit juices are too sweet with all the high fructose corn syrup in them. The suggestion to add a splash of lime/lemon juice is a good one and though I tend to run away from anything with artificial sugar, using Crystal Light (sp?) might be a good way to add flavor to your water without adding calories.

[weary]

this will probably sound gross but it actually tases really good....

water with slices of CUCUMBER in it. i usually add a lemon or lime wedge too...but i's very tasty w/ even just the cucumbers!!

[and1grad]

this will probably sound gross but it actually tases really good....

water with slices of CUCUMBER in it. i usually add a lemon or lime wedge too...but i's very tasty w/ even just the cucumbers!!
I've heard its really good but I never remember to try it.

[weary]

I've heard its really good but I never remember to try it.
you should try it . it's good. almost reminds me of watermelon, but not sweet - if that makes any sense.

but give it a try. new things are good. gotta be EOE, right? ;)

[Trillian42]

When I'm home I tend to drink a glass of half cranapple juice and half water, mostly because I think most of the fruit juices are too sweet with all the high fructose corn syrup in them. The suggestion to add a splash of lime/lemon juice is a good one and though I tend to run away from anything with artificial sugar, using Crystal Light (sp?) might be a good way to add flavor to your water without adding calories.

I try to drink the Ocean Spray 100% juice. They do not have sugar (corn syrup) added. There are lots of other juices you can find without the added sugar. I think Juicey Juice is like that too.

[EmberMae]

I struggle with drinking enough water. When I try to force myself to only drink water I often get dehydrated because I don't like the taste of it and I only drink enough to quench immediate thirst. Most of the flavored waters with no sweetner might smell like something good but they don't really taste like much. They just have a weird aftertaste. I think I prefer plain water. I LOVE Propel though. It does have sweetners though but I think it only has about 20 calories a bottle. I stopped drinking it though because it was too expensive. My company has a water cooler with free spring water so I drink that as much as possible.

At home I drink a lot of Crystal Light and 100% juice, and some bottled water. I cannot drink tap water. The tap water where I live tastes like crap.

[embrassezla]

I drink diluted juice pretty often as well. Very diluted. Most juice is just too sweet for me straight up.

[wordsmith]

I don't like anything diluted. I do like water with lemon or lime squeezed into it, and I do like the cucumber thing (esp. with lots of ice).

[SmilesSoSweet]

I cannot drink tap water. The tap water where I live tastes like crap.

I have a Britta pitcher that I constantly use. I even use the water from the Britta to make ice. I've been using a Britta pitcher since my college years.

Growing up my parents had a water softener and I liked drinking that water all the time.

[EmberMae]

I have a Britta pitcher that I constantly use. I even use the water from the Britta to make ice. I've been using a Britta pitcher since my college years.

Growing up my parents had a water softener and I liked drinking that water all the time.
Yeah I actually got a Brita pitcher just for that reason. But it didn't help enough for me to drink the water straight up. Still tastes bad to me. I do use it for making tea, coffee, etc because the tap water tastes that bad, it is noticeable even when mixed with other things.

[OpticalWasp]

All water found in what you eat & drink count towards your daily water requirements. A great way to tell if you're drinking/getting enough is to look at your pee (yes, I'm serious). It should be pale yellow to clear. If it's darker, your pee's more concentrated & you need to drink more fluids. If it's clear & you're going to the bathroom every 10 minutes, you can back off until it gets more color.

Coffee, teas, juices, milk, water-filled fruit/veggies (lettuce, watermelon), yogurt, etc. all contribute to your water intake.

Here's a good article (http://www.webmd.com/content/article/105/107848.htm) from webmd.com

[hellboy]

For all tap water junkies...

Ya'll should know that Chlorine is added before water comes out of tap. The best way to remove it is to fridge water for 10 mins and all the Chlorine evaporates. I think adding ice cubes straight up doesnt help.

[mishl982]

I don't think I'll ever have the problem with not liking water. I love it. It's so refreshing to me. I also HAVE to have ice cubes in it otherwise it's bleh. I'll even drink ice cold water when it's freezing outside!

One thing that helps me make sure I drink a lot of water is to have a big water bottle. I have a Nalgene bottle that is about 24 ounces, about half the size of the huge bottles, so it's less overwhelming to try and drink it all.

[labrat2111]

For all tap water junkies...

Ya'll should know that Chlorine is added before water comes out of tap. The best way to remove it is to fridge water for 10 mins and all the Chlorine evaporates. I think adding ice cubes straight up doesnt help.

I love my brita water but I find it amusing that my cat much prefers tap water. If he has a choice between cold brita and cold chlorinated tap water he unhesitantly chooses the tap water. Of course he also likes to drink milk, iced tea, and beer if you leave your glass unattended.

[CTGirl]

I don't think I'll ever have the problem with not liking water. I love it. It's so refreshing to me. I also HAVE to have ice cubes in it otherwise it's bleh. I'll even drink ice cold water when it's freezing outside!

One thing that helps me make sure I drink a lot of water is to have a big water bottle. I have a Nalgene bottle that is about 24 ounces, about half the size of the huge bottles, so it's less overwhelming to try and drink it all.

Totally agree, I've always been a big water drinker, and ever since my battle with anemia, I'm totally hooked on ice in my water as well, lol.

At work, I have a water bottle that I keep on my desk and just drink out of it all day, usually refilling it about 4 or 5 times (it's just about 20 oz)

[cache]

How sad is it that I sometimes get a craving for garden hose water? As a kid, when I was out playing, that was always the 7th inning stretch refreshment...I guess it hooked me :huge:

[wordsmith]

I grew up with well water from a deep aquifer. I can't stand anything chlorine treated.

[CTGirl]

How sad is it that I sometimes get a craving for garden hose water? As a kid, when I was out playing, that was always the 7th inning stretch refreshment...I guess it hooked me :huge:

Oh man, that was good stuff, and always so cold!

[coll214]

I grew up with well water from a deep aquifer. I can't stand anything chlorine treated.
me too for awhile... once we moved my mother started with the Brita pitcher and it does help some with city water.

[embrassezla]

I'm good with tap water run through a Brita, as long as it's cold.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I'm good with tap water run through a Brita, as long as it's cold.

I have to have cold water. I'll rarely drink room temperature water. I think that's one reason why I'm not a fan of hot drinks (except for the occasional hot chocolate during the winter months). I prefer my drinks (especially water) to be cold.