Having a hard time with water.

momclp11

I am trying to follow everything that I need to do to lose weight. I have lost 24 pounds in about 5 months. The one thing I can't seem to do is make myself drink enough water. Also, I don't have time to run to bathroom every hour at work. Any hints? I am only drinking about 4 glasses a day.

livingleanlivingclean

Do you drink tea, coffee, juice, soda etc? They all count towards your fluid intake.

I drink 4-5 litres and don't spend all day on the toilet.... I think you get used to the amount of water

debsdoingthis

I'm with you OP. I drink 4-5 glasses a day, have been for months. Any more and I'm up at least twice through the night, totally destroying my sleep. Drink what you can. The 8 glasses a day came from somewhere back in the day and is a "recommended" amt. If you are peeing clear and your skin is supple, and barring any medical conditions, you're fine.

Lounmoun

I don't worry about getting an exact amount of water. I do drink water at every meal and whenever I am thirsty.

maidentl

momclp11 wrote: »

I am trying to follow everything that I need to do to lose weight. I have lost 24 pounds in about 5 months. The one thing I can't seem to do is make myself drink enough water. Also, I don't have time to run to bathroom every hour at work. Any hints? I am only drinking about 4 glasses a day.

Drinking water doesn't actually do anything to help you lose weight. As someone else said above, everything you eat and drink counts toward your fluid intake so as long as your urine is pale yellow to clear, you're good.

TavistockToad

Drink more after work instead?

malibu927

Just drink what you can. I'm unable to drink anything while I'm working, so that cuts me down and I usually only get in 4-5 cups a day as well.

jgnatca

I am guessing you are drinking enough. Post Bariatric patients must work at getting enough fluid because we can't eat and drink at the same time. I also can't gulp, just sip. My new habit is to have fluid (tea or flavoured water) at my side at all times. I start with a tea through the morning then fill a litre water bottle to be with me for the rest of the day.

There's something psychological about finishing off larger containers. I drink more since I super-sized my water bottle.

rosebette

I manage only between 4 and 5 glasses myself. I teach, so I don't want to have to pee all the time either. Remember, you also get water from other beverages, such as tea or juices, and it's in certain foods, especially fruits and vegetables. If your pee is pale yellow, you're fine. If it starts to get deep yellow, then you need to drink more.

Francl27

You don't need anywhere as much water as most people think. 4-5 liters a day is WAY overkill unless you're morbidly obese... A 'glass' of water typically counts as 2 now as glasses are bigger than they used to as well. As long as your pee is mostly clear, you're fine.

Just try and keep a water bottle with you at all times and take a sip regularly. I drink about 50 ounces of water a day, plus my coffee, so maybe 2 liters total, and I'm doing just fine.

Unknown

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maineapple

I have read over the years that we should not count caffeinated beverages toward the liquid count per day because they are diuretics. I have also read that with non-clear liquids only half of the liquid should be counted as part of liquid intake. Cannot remember exactly where I read these tips though.

forgtmenot

You really don't need 8 glasses of water every day. As long as your urine isn't overly concentrated and you aren't experiencing other signs of dehydration, you're getting enough water. If your urine is dark yellow and you still can't drink enough, try something like crystal light, mio or lemon juice to make it taste better.

livingleanlivingclean

maineapple wrote: »

I have read over the years that we should not count caffeinated beverages toward the liquid count per day because they are diuretics. I have also read that with non-clear liquids only half of the liquid should be counted as part of liquid intake. Cannot remember exactly where I read these tips though.

No.

zoeysasha37

People tend to think we must consume countless glasses of water per day. As long as you stay hydrated and try your best, you should be fine. I only drink about four glasses of water also per day but I also drink teas and coffee and so on. So just listen to your body.

SergeantSausage

If you're not thirsty, don't drink, right?

Some silly, baseless, arbitrary target number of ounces of water will do nothing for your weight loss nor your health.

losingin_2015

I drink ice tea only at meals.I drink water the rest of the day but I do notice that ice tea does make me go to the bathroom more but water keeps me more contented when I think I'm hungry.

Orphia

I agree that hot beverages, juice and alcohol all count as "water".

But I have a question about the MFP water counter. Does it actually DO anything? It seems to exist just for something to obsess about.

vixtris

I carry my water bottle with me everywhere. It is hard to remember ... maybe tie a string around your finger? just kidding. Some people set alerts on their phone ... other people have different ways of remembering. I'm sure you can think of something that is best for you. It is good that you have a realistic goal set for yourself.

momclp11

I am kind of obsessing about it, but I do drink a couple of cups of coffee in the morning and iced tea sometimes. Thanks for the advice. I work at a campground and work outside quite a bit so as the weather gets warmer I will probably need to drink more.

jgnatca

maineapple wrote: »

I have read over the years that we should not count caffeinated beverages toward the liquid count per day because they are diuretics. I have also read that with non-clear liquids only half of the liquid should be counted as part of liquid intake. Cannot remember exactly where I read these tips though.

I double checked and the diuretic effect of caffeine does not outweigh the hydrating power of coffee or tea.

http://www.beverageinstitute.org/expert/laying-the-caffeine-dehydration-myth-to-rest/

I reconstitute 1/3 cup powdered milk with one cup water so I'd say one cup milk is one cup water equivalent.

forgtmenot

I will say though that I carry around a 1000ml jug of water/crystal light lemonade every day and it does help when I just want to put something in my mouth, but am not actually hungry. So if you are a boredom eater it may help with that.

momclp11

That's a great idea. I just wish I didn't have to use the bathroom constantly.

earlnabby

momclp11 wrote: »

That's a great idea. I just wish I didn't have to use the bathroom constantly.

Sip while at work. You won't need to pee as much but will still get a couple of glasses in.

earlnabby

SergeantSausage wrote: »

If you're not thirsty, don't drink, right?

Some silly, baseless, arbitrary target number of ounces of water will do nothing for your weight loss nor your health.

Actually, if you are thirsty, you are already somewhat dehydrated and thirst is your body's way of telling you it needs fluids NOW. Prevention is always easier than curing.

Otherwise I agree. Different people need different amounts of fluid intake and the 64 oz recommendation is an average target for people to shoot for, but not an absolute for everyone. I drink closer to 100 oz. Then again, I am on a water pill to combat edema from chronic anemia so I need extra. I also like sipping on water because I can be a mindless snacker and having a beverage (no or very few calories) instead of food nearby helps.

Toadstool_

That's something I have been having trouble with too. I was drinking 3-4 cups a day, and when upped to 7-8 was up every half an hour to go to the bathroom and having to get up in the night too. I've upped to 6 for now and getting along fine with that. I do wonder whether the 8 is really necessary but will see if I can up to that eventually once I've gotten used to 6.

sijomial

momclp11 wrote: »

That's a great idea. I just wish I didn't have to use the bathroom constantly.

Either you have bladder problems or you are drinking too much.

momclp11

That is probably true. I will just keep trying to stay hydrated and ask the doctor about it next checkup.

sixxpoint

Out of sight, out of mind. It's easy to drink plenty of water if you get one of those shaker cups and refill it throughout the day. Also, remember to count coffee, tea, etc. I don't count high calorie items like milk, beer, or juice though.

I regularly drink 2.5 to 3 quarts of water each day. I'm also very active and constantly moving around. I can go many hours without peeing despite drinking nearly a quart of water in just 10 minutes time.

Don't go by the urine color rule alone if you're taking a multivitamin; your pee will be bright yellow for the majority of the day anyway.

harpsdesire

So the thing I noticed is that when I first started adding a LOT of water to my intake (I went from about 1 cup of water + 12 oz tea, to closer to 64oz water a day), I was running to the ladies room hourly and it was a major inconvenience, but after a few days it seems my body got more used to it and I am 'going' at a more normal interval. Still more than I was when I only drank 20oz a day, though.

My trick to drinking water, which I don't care for much, is to infuse fruit in it. I just get one of those big plastic tumblers with a straw, throw in a few chunks of whatever fruits I feel like (orange is my current fave), fill it up with water, and then refill on top of the same fruit when it runs out.

K3rB3ar89

What really helped for me since I thought water was boring was I bought a soda stream and started carbonating my water and adding lemon, lime ect.. Helped ALOT!