Gallon of Water a Day

KCMarie22

Hello,

Just recently restarted working out again and I have always had problems with drinking water on a consistent basis. Was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice on what I can do to make sure I am drinking enough water a day?

thank you.

schughes48

I have to force myself to drink it. I have to drink about 64 oz daily. Most of the time I can do this, however other days (like weekends) it's harder.

Advice just chug it.

tiptoethruthetulips

Are you trying to drink nearly 4 litres of water a day? Or are you using gallon just in the sense of a lot of water for you? 4 litres is a lot of water and you won't need that much water unless in very hot conditions and/or working out intensively.

Best way to check for sufficient fluid is the colour of your pee. Barring any supplements and first pee of the day, colour should be pale yellow. Dark yellow means drink more, no colour drink less...pale yellow probably just right.

If you determine you aren't getting enough fluid then its a matter of a having a glass when you get up, a glass with meals, have a bottle with you at work and gym for sipping on.

snickerscharlie

If you're not thirsty and your urine isn't dark yellow, you're sufficiently hydrated. No need to force yourself to drink water just because. Drinking too much water isn't good for you, either. It's just one of those things that have been thrown around as being a weight loss "must do," recently, and it's just not necessary. Also note that *all* liquids you drink count towards hydration - tea, coffee, soda, juice, milk - although you will have to account for the calories they contain.

The only time I would say to deliberately drink extra fluids would be after intense exercise that had you sweating, or if you've had a really high salt meal. The extra fluid intake will help decrease any temporary weight gain attributed to water retention from the excess salt.

Edited to add:

Here's a urine color chart for guidance:

http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hydration_-_urine_colour_chart.pdf

AEC50

I do best with big water bottles with straws. I don't know why, but I just am able to drink more at once with them. I also use my tracker on MFP for water and aim to drink at least one 24oz bottle every two hours while sitting at my work desk.

icandothis2417

I find I can down more water daily if it is room temperature.

perkymommy

I agree with the others on the color of the urine as to whether or not you need to be drinking more. Our bodies only need a certain amount of water before we are going to be running to the bathroom every so often to eliminate what we've drank if it's over the amount we need.

BrunetteRunner87

I make sure I drink a glass with each meal or snack.

wizzybeth

A gallon is a lot. I usually drink about half that, maybe at most 80 oz a day if I'm very thirsty from working out or something...I drink about 8-10 8-ounce servings a day (if I don't I start to swell up and retain fluid)

AnvilHead

snickerscharlie wrote: »

If you're not thirsty and your urine isn't dark yellow, you're sufficiently hydrated. No need to force yourself to drink water just because. Drinking too much water isn't good for you, either. It's just one of those things that have been thrown around as being a weight loss "must do," recently, and it's just not necessary. Also note that *all* liquids you drink count towards hydration - tea, coffee, soda, juice, milk - although you will have to account for the calories they contain.

The only time I would say to deliberately drink extra fluids would be after intense exercise that had you sweating, or if you've had a really high salt meal. The extra fluid intake will help decrease any temporary weight gain attributed to water retention from the excess salt.

Edited to add:

Here's a urine color chart for guidance:

http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hydration_-_urine_colour_chart.pdf

^ This. 100% this.

Also worth reading: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/821181/myths-and-facts-about-hydration-requirements

YSharpe

I make it a point to carry a bottle of water everywhere i go just like my wallet!

Evamutt

I do best with water bottles with straws too. I also put in a little of my fruit or mint tea(no sugar) or aloe vera juice

CSARdiver

snickerscharlie wrote: »

If you're not thirsty and your urine isn't dark yellow, you're sufficiently hydrated. No need to force yourself to drink water just because. Drinking too much water isn't good for you, either. It's just one of those things that have been thrown around as being a weight loss "must do," recently, and it's just not necessary. Also note that *all* liquids you drink count towards hydration - tea, coffee, soda, juice, milk - although you will have to account for the calories they contain.

The only time I would say to deliberately drink extra fluids would be after intense exercise that had you sweating, or if you've had a really high salt meal. The extra fluid intake will help decrease any temporary weight gain attributed to water retention from the excess salt.

Edited to add:

Here's a urine color chart for guidance:

http://www.highwayssafetyhub.com/uploads/5/1/2/9/51294565/hydration_-_urine_colour_chart.pdf

Yes - this!

As your workout increases you'll likely find your thirst adapting naturally.

The one habit I picked up to help with satiety is to drink 8 oz water about 30 mins prior to each meal.

3rdof7sisters

You get water from foods you eat and other liquids that you drink.
If you are thirsty drink, that is your body telling you to hydrate.
You may need extra hydration in hot weather, when you exercise etc.

Summershine2015

I drink cold water in a large glass and through a straw ( It make it easier for me ) I also put cucumber in the water for taste. Hope it helps!

Rhody_Hoosier

I use a one liter Nalgene(sp?) bottle some days and a 750ml blender bottle on other days and just fill fill fill...some days I hit 4 liters...some days I hit 3....some like 2.5. I pee enough to know that I'm sufficiently hydrated. Colors are within the proper spectrum and what not. Off to refill!!!

size102b

Once you get thirsty your body's damaged you should never feel thirsty
Don't drink more than 2-3 litres water a day is can be dangerous

RaphaBianchi

I keep a 750ml bottle of water on my desk at work and drink it all day long. Probably refill 2-3 times in a day. Still not up to a gallon though (4 litres). That seems like a lot when the recommendation is 2 litres a day.

Alatariel75

size102b wrote: »

Once you get thirsty your body's damaged you should never feel thirsty
Don't drink more than 2-3 litres water a day is can be dangerous

Um, I drink upwards of 6 litres a day. If I don't, I'm thirsty. So, what... I'm either damaging my body, or putting it in danger?

You need to drink a hell of a lot more than 2-3 litres a day before you're in any danger.

EmbeeKay

I happen to drink a gallon+ each day, most days. (But I'm pregnant.) I keep a quart jar with a straw on the counter. When I am taking a break to read something, or when sitting at the table feeding the baby, I absentmindedly drink through the straw and before I know it, the jar is empty.

Unknown

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bshrom11

I drink over a gallon a day but only because my one medication side effect is extreme thirst. Before taking this med there is no way I could drink even close to a gallon a day lol!

amtyrell

I know I am drinking more water mainly in effort to eat less. I have found that often if i and hungry and drink 8 or so oz of water and then wait 10 min and ask myself and I still hungry and craving junk the urge to eat junk will have gone away.

RaphaBianchi

For the people drinking several litres/gallons of water a day, how often do you go to the toilet? What goes in must come out. At 2-3 litres a day I feel like I always need the toilet. I don't know how people can manage drinking more.

tasha12004

I infuse my water with fruit in a 32 ounce bottle of water. Your supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces. So i fill mine up about 4 -5 times. 4 times= a gallon and i usually drink another 32 ounces after my workout and before bed.

cwolfman13

just stay hydrated...

RaphaBianchi wrote: »

For the people drinking several litres/gallons of water a day, how often do you go to the toilet? What goes in must come out. At 2-3 litres a day I feel like I always need the toilet. I don't know how people can manage drinking more.

Generally every 1.5-2 hours which isn't unusual if you're hydrated. I think people feel like it's a lot because they're accustomed to being chronically dehydrated.

j_trea1

I struggle to drink enough water as well. I just get busy and simply forget just like I always forget my glasses.

earlnabby

I like to have a sippy cup (actually an insulated glass with straw and lid) near me everywhere. If I drink it empty twice, I know I am good for the day because I also have coffee and sometimes tea.

This is my favorite urine color chart:

sllm1

Room temperature with a straw

gemstoneisland

Infusing with fruits (lemon, lime, berries, orange, apple), veg (cucumber) and herbs (mint, basil) help it from being boring. I also carry my water bottle everywhere.

kaizaku

Buy a 2ltr jug. Fill it up in the morning and aim to finish before you go bed. Every 10mins or so jus have a sip. Even when your not thirsty.