Having trouble drinking 8 glasses of water a day

SandyC04

I am seriously having trouble drinking all my water daily... I can do 4 no problem... Just wondering if anyone has some tips and tricks on how to attain my goal... I try carrying my water bottle everywhere with me but still having trouble getting to my minimum 8 cups...

RobynLB83

You don't actually need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Drink when you are thirsty. If your pee is light, and you have no symptoms of dehydration, you are getting enough water.

WhiteGirlWasted13

All I can tell you is to keep at it. Keep your water bottle close at hand, at all times. (I take mine literally everywhere.) After a while, you'll start to crave the water. I have my two cups of coffee in the morning, then it's water and nothing else. You could try to add some flavor to it, but I truly think you'd be better off in the long run just learning to drink it plain.

barbiecat

I am seriously having trouble drinking all my water daily... I can do 4 no problem... Just wondering if anyone has some tips and tricks on how to attain my goal... I try carrying my water bottle everywhere with me but still having trouble getting to my minimum 8 cups...

when I started I made a rule for myself that I had to drink 8 ounces before I logged onto MFP......I had certain times of day that I drank 8 ounces as a scheduled event just like a meal or a workout......I didn't wait to "want to" drink water, I drank it like it was a prescription from the doctor, an assignment from the teacher, a task assigned by the boss.

:bigsmile: good luck to you

mumtoonegirl

I drink 16 glasses a day because I eat so much protein.

I basically have my morning coffee and then move to my large water bottle, it holds 2 glasses of water in it so I basically drink 8 of those a day, I found the more I did it the more thirsty I felt on days I did not have enough water.

newmanel

You don't actually need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Drink when you are thirsty. If your pee is light, and you have no symptoms of dehydration, you are getting enough water.

Seconding this. You will be getting water from your food and there's no reason to stress your kidneys by asking them to do so much more work. I know this is not the prevailing opinion here at MFP but google around.

kellehbeans

I drink about 8 pints to 20 pints of water a day. Generally 8 are on a weekend when I don't have access to water so readily, and 20 is generally when I have been doing some heavy exercise. On a normal day, probably about 15. But, I like mumtoonegirl, I eat a lot of protein and I cannot stand a dry mouth!

abbyrae1

Do you have a water bottle you can refill throughout the day? If so, put rubber bands on it for how many times you need to fill it. Each time you drink one, slide it to the top, goal is to have it done by the end of the day.

I drink a ton of water naturally, but it does get boring, try "infusing" with different flavors, like lemon, lime, strawberries, mint, blueberries, this helps some people that get bored with water.

Last suggestion, get a half gallon (or gallon) and just try to make sure you drink 1 per day. I usually drink about a gallon and a half through out the day, depends on my workout, weather, etc.

shrimpydoo

Hi. I, like you, struggled in the beginning. I'd almost have to choke it down. The key is to not give up as it becomes easier over time. Here are some of the things I tried (that worked) and now I'm pretty much always drinking between 6 and 8 glasses a day--depending on the day, the exercise, and what I've been eating.
1. Buy yourself a really cool water bottle as a reward. Something really pretty.
2. Water bottles with straws work best. Something about drinking from a straw makes it easier.
3. Try adding fresh lemon juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice--just keep trying different things.
4. I find drinking hot water in a coffee cup works--especially when I'm at work or on cooler days.
5. Make homemade soups and add more than the called for amount of water--it's hard to track but you are hydrating while eating.
6. Eat canned fruit (in water)...again--it adds to your daily consumption
7. Weak tea--like a fruit blend or peppermint or something...try something new.
8. Don't worry what other people say. IT's really about getting water into your system. So if you have to add flavour to your water, or drink flavored water or even sparkling water, heck, even jello.... Getting liquid into you, even if it is not pure water, will still help to hydrate your body, add moisture to ensure your muscles are working at their best, and help flush away toxins...

Start slow. One day at a time. One sip at a time. It gets easier.

thisismeraw

You don't HAVE to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Drink what you can of water but if you're drinking things like coffee, tea, etc those still count towards your fluid intake.

Everything you eat and drink during the day hydrates you so don't get hung up on having to consume a certain amount of water a day. As long as your aren't thirsty and your pee is light to clear you are fine.

elisa123gal

try room temp water.. it can go down easier for some...also if you drink a glass first thing when you wake up..it gets you started. Many days if I do that.. i get most of my water in before i leave the house.

wlaura88

I second infusing your water. I find that when I infuse my water with cucumber and fresh mint, it is much easier to drink my 8 glasses/day.

Metallux

you don't HAVE to do anything-- like you don't HAVE to take the garbage out of you house if you don't want but that's gross. drinking water is like taking the garbage out, that is constantly accumulating, out of your body!

but I feel ya. my solution was to swap coffee for tea at work. I have a coffee pot at work, so I just keep it full of plain water, not coffee. then pour cups all day with various herbal teas and lemon. I end up getting closer to 20 oz a day that way.

Mokey41

There is no data to say you need 8 cups of water a day. If your urine is pale yellow then you are hydrated. Any fluid you take in will hydrate your body and most food is comprised of a large amount of water. An apple is 85% water. The whole guzzling water to lose weight thing is a myth. The only effect it has is to keep you feeling fuller and occupied with running to the bathroom so you don't have time to snack.

ParrosFan

I drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. In the morning, while I'm in the beauty chamber, I drink a 16 oz container of water. When I get to work, I have one cup of coffee and then I drink my 24 oz bottle before I go to lunch. I drink another 24 oz bottle before I go home. Then I typically drinkg another 16-24 oz when working out.

Most days I do good, others, not so much.

brit__2006

Here is a website that may help you out. It's a hydration calculator.

http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

KombuchaCat

You don't actually need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Drink when you are thirsty. If your pee is light, and you have no symptoms of dehydration, you are getting enough water.

I totally agree with this. 8 glasses is a guidline, depending on your specific body and the amount of water you get from food you might not need this. You should never choke water down and force it.

tzig00

Drink 1 glass for every hour you're awake. You'll get it in easy peasy...

chandanista

I used to have a problem drinking that much liquid in a day too. I had to build it up slowly, and for a while I didn't allow myself to drink anything BUT water until I had my 8 cups in. Now I drink it much more easily; it was a habit I had to actually build.

sueclare38

I have a 750ml lucozade sport bottle that I fill with water, that equals 3 cups, I can easily get through 2 bottles during a hiit workout or an hour at the gym, that's 6 cups already. I have it next to me all day and if I'm concentrating on something I'll drink a bottle without realizing it, it's just become a habit.

SquidandWhale

Sometimes I fill my two liter camel back up and carry it around with me all day. I find I'm more likely to meet, or exceed, my water intake requirements if I do it in a way that amuses me.

JustAnotherGirlSuzanne

Try drinking 2 cups before each meal and remember that a typical glass is sometimes larger than a cup or 250 ml. Try to measure it out that way. If you eat 3 meals a day and drink 2 glasses before each meal you'll easily get to six cups. Over the course of the evening make sure you drink two more and you're good to go!

An added plus is that it's easier to eat less at meal times when your stomach already has something to fill it up. It also digests food easier.

hannah1011z

Statistically your body can process up to 4 oz every ten minutes. Knowing this, 8 glasses a day is supposed to be the minimum. I have made it my goal to drink a good long drink of water about every 10-15 minutes and my pee is clear lol. But i used to have trouble drinking water too, I didnt like that it didnt have carbanation or flavor ect. So I found ways to work with it and now I actually perfer a big glass of cold water to a soda. Im amazed at saying that because two months ago i was drinking like a 2 liter every day thinking i was getting proper hydration. So some things I used to help convert toward water and away from other drinks is:

Crystal light- 10 calories in a pack and it has lots of flavors. I like the hawiian punch ones and theyre better then coolaid ect!
Carbonated Falvored water- theyre like .69 cents, mainly water, and a awsome switch from soda because it tastes so similar.
Propel Water- I love propels theyre 1 dollar each and very yummy and help keep your electolytes up too.

I also went to Ross and found a super neat super cute water bottle to help influence me and it really works cause its my favorite cup i have, and I will only drink water/crystal light in it. I normally drink about 5 of my 24oz bottles a day, and every other one is crystal light.

Ps. If you look at my food/excersize diary its pretty acurate to what a good diet is except the last two days cause its been in the 90-100's so ive kinda fallen a little without letting my calories go past 1300. good luck you can add me if you want.

hannah1011z

Water also helps your metabolism speed up which helps lose weight. it also helps all of your body function a lot better giving you more energy to do more which helps lose weight. I drink lots of water and even though im over weight, i feel healthy, am healthy, and can move constantly with the help of water. Its also been proven that 8 glasses a day keeps the doctor away because it boosts your immune system and detox's your body especially if you add a little lemon in your water...water does a lot for your body.

HannahJDiaz25

Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up. Then drink another right before you head out the door in the morning. It will kick start you thirst mechanism :-) If I do this I am thirsty all day and usually drink about 12-14 cups of water PLUS coffee and tea.

jenns1964

I make water my only beverage. I do occasionally drink tea and half fat free milk with dinner, but I drink water all the time. I do not function as well without it. Of course, it helps that I live in Texas and its HOT!

babyluthi

2 when you first wake up.
1 @ morning tea.
2 @ lunch time.
1 @ afternoon tea
2 @ tea time.

Kellyscupcake

Try using a straw...I get my water down so easy when I do

Nu_Journee

Here are some ideas I have used in the past:

#1 Drink a glass first thing in the morning when you wake up
#2 Drink a glass before each meal
#3 Buy a 64oz container, fill up in the am and drink from it all day.
#4 Make sure you fill your water quota before drinking any other beverage like juice or soda
#5 Tea counts so drink more green tea during your day.
#6 If you limit or eliminate other drinks (juice, lemonades, soda) it becomes much easier.

SandyC04

Thank you all for the wonderful posts... I have my to do list... Going to get myself a spiffy new water bottle with a straw! Then I am going to start infusing the water... I think that might be a nice change from just water to have with meals! I love the mint in cucumber suggestion... sounds refreshing... Thinking of a blueberry and vanilla too... While shopping for my new water bottle I think I will look for an container to brew some iced herb tea... I have been using herb tea to curb my sweet craving at night never considered doing it during the day for water consumption! Love this group...

nikkohli

For awhile I had to set a reminder on my phone. I also made myself take a big gulp every time I wanted to send a text or an email. Also, I asked my students to hassle me about it--they are middle schoolers so they love any chance THEY get to tell ME to do something. I felt like I was hazing in a fraternity--every time I turned around some kid was shouting "Drink!" at me :drinker: