8 glasses of water a day - this is hard

sasharfitness

Any tips on how to drink the recommend daily amount of water? I never really get thirsty and it's very hard to force all 8 glasses down throughout the day.

Charliegottheruns

Educate yourself on the importance water, learn all it's functions in the human body. This will help.

SherryTeach

Which also includes understanding that you get a lot of water from the food you eat and everything else you drink. You don't need 8 glasses of water every day.

jddnw

I can down a 16 ounce glass of water in under 5 seconds. I don't force it down, I just pour it in. It's easier if it is room temperature.

beachhouse758

I started adding True Lemon, True Grapefruit to my water bottles and it has made a tremendous difference.

KristinaG_is_losing_it

Buy a tumbler or bottle that holds a good amount of water and fill that up a couple times of day. I have one that hold 24oz. I try to drink that 3x while I'm at work. I also drink water when I wake up (usually just 8oz or so) and I also work out after work so I have a bottle with me then. I will also usually have water to drink with my dinner. I second the advice about using water flavorings, I used to drink the mio and crystal lights and now I don't need anything. If you drink soda or juice, cut it out! Or at least drink equal amounts of water for every oz of soda or juice you consume.

bigd66218

8 glasses a day is a target number, drink as much water as you can. Don't force it!!!

burnsgene42

I know I never could drink that much when I was working. If it's convenient keep a 24 oz. water bottle or glass near to remind you.
It's easier for retired people. just leave a 24 oz. class filled with water on the counter to remind you to drink.
I used to do hard outside physical labor out in the heat and I know I could not have drank that much water , and somehow I survived. Now I wear a camelback and easy drink 90+oz. during a ride.
You can form a habit of drinking water just like just like we form a habit of eating good.
Stay with it, good luck.

sasharfitness

Thanks for all the tips guys. I have a huge qwater bottle that holds all 8 cups and I just pour that into my small water bottle thru out that day. I have been using the water flavorings and I don't drink any sodas or juice just water. It's just hard because I just never drink that much liquid, before I got back on the healthy excerise routine I had maybe 2 glasses of liquid a day (which I know can't be enough).

earlnabby

I drink a 16 oz glass with lunch and dinner, have a big cup of coffee with breakfast, then keep an insulated tumbler around me all of the time to sip on as I desire. I typically hit 9-12 glasses a day like that.

ShandaLeaS

I had a hard time at first as I don't like water but now I drink 10-16 a day. Just keep working at it

LovelyIvy466

Stop drinking beverages that have calories, and exercise. Before, during and after my workouts are when I tend to drink the most water. I don't have to make myself, it's just something my body craves, especially during cardio. During yoga or weightlifting, it's a nice excuse for a quick break.

ksy1969

I have read more than one article that says the whole 8 glasses of water or so many an ounce per pound of body weight is all bunk. One was from the MAYO Clinic but I am not sure where the link is right now that I used to use. This subject comes up often.

As long as your urine is not concentrated yellow and you aren't swollen from retaining water, you are getting enough. In fact it doesn't even need to be water, pretty much any of the stuff we drink works. Also as another poster mentioned, a large portion of the foods we eat are made up of water and our body uses that towards hydration as well.

Yesterday I think I had one glass of water but had two large cups of coffee in the am and several glasses of Crystal Light Fruit Punch in the afternoon and I can assure you, I was hydrated just fine. Oh, I think there was even a 20oz bottle of that evil diet soda as well. Which is made up of primarily water so it counts as hydration as well.

esjones12

I'd rather drink a bit too much and have my body filter it out then be dehydrated, especially with having a very active training schedule. It took me a bit to get used to downing 8 cups a day....but my body adjusted and it's not as hard anymore. Days I exercise it is usually higher. I made it a fun game by earning "stars" each day I hit that goal. I actually have 5 goals per day I aim for. It seems to be working pretty well.

sarahlifts

get a 32 oz cup fill it up drink it down x2. I just finished 64 oz at 10:30 am. Drink it like its your job. Your body will thank you.

amitkatz0

I keep a 20 oz cup on my desk at work. I usually down 100 oz before 4pm. Just get used to small sips throughout the day.

HTECHS

I'm on 14 months of only water and counting... What started off as a 30 day challenge has just become a way of life. When water is the only thing you drink, it's easy to get all you need and then some... Not to mention all the calories I save!

NotQuiteNorm

I hate water, but found that drinking it in the form of herbal teas makes it much easier - it still counts I believe as it's about hydration etc

katinachaos

Make note of your skin and your sleep now and then again after sticking with drinking more water. It will encourage you. I personally drink a TON at work because getting up to fill my cup (or pee) is a good excuse to not be stuck behind my desk. At home on the weekends I don't drink nearly as much and I definitely notice that how I feel is different.

earlnabby

NotQuiteNorm wrote: »

I hate water, but found that drinking it in the form of herbal teas makes it much easier - it still counts I believe as it's about hydration etc

yup, it counts. The only thing you shouldn't count as water is alcoholic beverages (at least that is what I have been told)

emdeesea

I really try to hit that 8 a day, but never do. It's not that I don't like water, but for me I just don't feel it's entirely necessary most of the time. I maybe get by with 5 or 6, and that's not counting the tea and fruits and veg I eat.

Obviously it's different when it's 100 degrees outside and I'm working in the yard. Yeah, I'll probably get up to 8 and even 10 on those days. But on your average day, I really go by my thirst and what color my urine is. If it's a very pale light straw color, I'm well hydrated.

jkwolly

Just do it

I drink 20 cups a day now and love it, coming from hating water.

fuhrmeister

I have a fun cup with a straw and I keep a tally on my note pad at work. I carry the bottle around the hall with me when I go to other peoples offices or check the mail. I have nothing else to do while I'm walking so I sip on the water. I also try to have at least 1 cup before my morning coffee. The coffee feels like a little reward.

sjohnson__1

CharlieRuns7225 wrote: »

Educate yourself on the importance water, learn all it's functions in the human body. This will help.

Definitely recommend the above comment. I personally have a 1 gallon jug that I fill each morning, take with me to work, and put a small packet (made for 12oz's of water) of Crystal Light in the gallon. I drink this throughout the day, everyday. Way more than 8 glasses... might be overkill depending on your activity level, so obviously I'm not saying you need that much, but it doesn't ever hurt!

Maries_wine_calories

my only tip that helped me was to get a "sippy cup". LOL find a nice tumbler with a lid that you like by colour or pattern - double wall style with a straw. Measure out if it fits about 2.5 or 3 cups and work your way through 3 of those a day. Morning/Lunch/Afternoon. I'm trying for 4 but I literally can not stop to pee that often at work...

kmbweber2014

sasharfitness wrote: »

Any tips on how to drink the recommend daily amount of water? I never really get thirsty and it's very hard to force all 8 glasses down throughout the day.

My understanding is that it isn't necessary. However, I drink around 94+ ounces a day. I have a nalgene bottle that I carry with me everywhere. I usually sip on it when I start thinking I want to snack, to determine if I am actually hungry or not. I easily get in plenty of water.

galaxyeyed

I've always had trouble with drinking enough water/liquid too. I recently got a camelback, and suddenly it's super easy! It might be because I have a nervous habit of chewing on things, so the soft mouthpiece of the camelback is nice...but not sure. I may just be weird!

CSARdiver

You're building up a healthy routine, so it may not feel normal at first. Keep a bottle handy at all times - drink a glass as soon as you get up. Keep a bottle in the car and drink during your commute. I keep a bunch of Mio type additives at home/work/gym bag to mix it up.

sjohnson__1

sjohnson__1 wrote: »

CharlieRuns7225 wrote: »

Educate yourself on the importance water, learn all it's functions in the human body. This will help.

Definitely recommend the above comment. I personally have a 1 gallon jug that I fill each morning, take with me to work, and put a small packet (made for 12oz's of water) of Crystal Light in the gallon. I drink this throughout the day, everyday. Way more than 8 glasses... might be overkill depending on your activity level, so obviously I'm not saying you need that much, but it doesn't ever hurt!

The one gallon jug I use is pictured here:

https://instagram.com/p/0x2gZAj0KW/embed/

jasonraygagnon

SherryTeach wrote: »

Which also includes understanding that you get a lot of water from the food you eat and everything else you drink. You don't need 8 glasses of water every day.

First time hearing this......

Tiffaspiff

When I first started it was super hard for me also. I have found drinking out of a container that has ounce markings or a bottle I know is exactly 16oz for example help me keep my eye on my goal. It's become pretty easy for me now. I average AT LEAST 6 glasses a day but usually 8-10 Good luck!!