The one myth that won't die: You need 8 cups of water

Unknown

This content has been removed.

heartsstarspll

lemurcat12 wrote: »

sixxpoint wrote: »

More people are dehydrated in the world than water-logged.

I don't really care about the 8 cups a day guideline, but it's true that sometimes drinking huge amounts of water is elevated as some special diet magic, and that's silly.

I find it hard to believe that any significant number of people are dehydrated, assuming liquid is available to them. Seems like one would have to be extremely dysfunctional to not just naturally drink as much as one needs (insert thing about urine color being the best way to check here) ;-).

So great, drink your water, but don't stress about it or think that if you don't get at least 8 cups of pure water per day that means you can't lose or some silliness.

Disclaimer: I have always loved drinking (that too, sadly, but here I just mean anything thirst quenching) and I've never liked drinking calories, so guzzling lots of water throughout the day (without counting it) is just something I've always done, and it's always amazed me that people can eat a meal without having water or something else to drink too. So maybe some people really let themselves get dehydrated (when not in hot weather or engaging in athletic activity) but I can't really understand how that would be a common thing such that we have to actively try to drink water and count it.

That said, I usually do count my water at least up to the 8 cups, since it's an easy way to check something off and I like checking things off. The importance just seems oddly inflated, especially when people start insisting that tea can't count or some such.

I know what you mean! I don't see how people can eat without something to drink! Especially stuff like crackers or popcorn.. anything dry(or peanut butter!). I have to have something by my side to drink all the time, lately my mouth has been really dry, probably from my medicine. I typically drink diet coke though, because I really like it and no calories. But I know I need to get back into drinking water again--when I do, I chug that stuff like crazy, mostly because I don't like the taste. When I did drink water I could drink up to 8-10 bottles a day. I don't think it's necessary for health to drink that much, but for me to be satisfied and not thirsty it is. lol

heartsstarspll

[/quote]

Are you also British by any chance? I'm guessing tea plays a bigger role in hydration for us than it does for most American posters on here![/quote]

I'm Canadian but I've lived in England for several years and have a British husband (who, oddly enough hates all hot drinks... The weirdo!) . I did drink lots of tea before I moved there though as I think us canucks do tend to drink more tea than Americans. I've had some hilarious responses from waitresses in the states when ordering tea in the summer there. Yes... Even in 30 degree (Celsius) I want hot tea lol.

[/quote]

I hate all hot drinks too. I tried coffee maybe twice in college, even got it with vanilla flavoring, which I love. But I just couldn't bring myself to drink more than a sip. And the second time I managed to spill it on myself. lol Haven't touched the stuff since that. I need cold liquid, and often.

Hollywood_Porky

I drink water because I am thirsty - I drink a lot of water throughout the day but only when I am thirsty. I actually dislike drinking water just the sake of it - doesn't make sense. Same with food - eat food when you are hungry - but if you are full, why eat food.

earlnabby

Annr wrote: »

I am old, and observing this odd behavior of having a water bottle near you 24/7. I have catagorized the need for a water bottle in groups.
If you live in the desert, you might need a water bottle.
If you have just exercised, you might need a water bottle.
If you are on medication for something that might dehydrate you, you might need a water bottle.
but.....
If you are heading to a grocery store and are gone from you place for 30 minutes, you don't really need a water bottle.
If you carry a water bottle as a fashion accessory, and have "blinged it up"...then you don't really need a water bottle.
I live in Oregon... there aren't deserts and hey if we really get dehydrated then we just stop and drink hose water....I know...we are dangerous like that.

I agree with you, and I am a huge proponent of drinking lots of water. It is silly to have water with you all of the time. I do have something to drink at my desk, on the table when I am watching TV, and by my bed all of the time but I don't carry it with me unless I am going on a hike in warmer weather. I don't take it with me when I walk my neighborhood or cool weather hikes, but I do make sure there is plenty to drink afterwards.

It is really silly to take it with you shopping. If you suddenly need a drink, stores and malls all have bubblers available (drinking fountains for all of you not from Wisconsin) and few people are going to keel over from dehydration while walking through Target.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

snickerscharlie

I, too, have a bottle of water on my desk, since I work from home on the computer and spend lots of time here. When I go out, I usually have a bottle of water in the car, but don't see the need to carry it around with me like some misplaced beacon of health and fitness or something.

bpetrosky

So is this The One Thread That Won't Die?

Seriously, being sufficiently hydrated is a good thing and it's hard (not impossible) to overdo. It won't magically make you lose weight, but it is necessary for the metabolic processes that help you lose. It also helps you feel less hungry simply because many people confuse thirst for hunger.

The 8 cups a day guideline is just that, a guideline. The actual necessary amount is determined by body mass, activity level, how much you lose through sweating, and other factors, and giving people a formula to determine that is of little benefit. Keeping the message simple is better in this case.

Considering how many other weight loss myths won't die (starvation mode, "clean" eating, bogus pills and shakes), this one seems like a lot of wasted energy.