How much water each day?

emilybrittain

I have been wondering how much water you should be dirnking each day? I know that I drink quite a lot which does mean that I need to use the loo a lot(!) but is it bad to drink too much? Is there a set amount that you should stick to and not go over?

I use water to try and fill me up when I feel a bit hungry but its not quite lunchtime yet and don't want to have to stop that!

If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great! Thanks

rach_00

When I first started I had the same problem. I hate water but I started drinking 6-8 glasses a day.

Ive heard that you are ment to drink 8 glasses of water a day, It took a while for my bladder to adjust to it

realrayne10

I try to have 12 - 16 glasses per day and I have only had one person here say that that was too much. As long as you are pacing yourself and not trying get all your water for the day in at once, I dont see a problem with it.

unsuspectingfish

There is such a thing as water intoxication if you drink too much water, which is potentially fatal. It generally doesn't occur in a normal, day-to-day routine, though, if the water is consumed little by little throughout the day. You're more at risk if you hydrate excessively when doing large amounts of exercise, like running a 10K or something. The general rule of thumb is 8 cups a day (or 64 oz), but remember that you also get water from your food and other beverages you may be drinking (except alcohol, which sort of has the opposite effect).

registers

I believe it's 1oz of water per pound. is supposed to be "OPTIMAL"

infosynth

Let's define some terms here. "Glass" is not a standard measure. I have 8 oz. glasses, 12 oz. glasses, and even 16 oz. glasses in my kitchen.

The recommendation is 8 CUPS per day, where 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces (using a measuring cup designed for liquids). There are 4 cups/quart, so the total is 2 quarts, or 1/2 gallon per day.

Remember that by the time you feel thirsty, you're already a bit dehydrated, so thirst is not the best indicator. Obviously, if you're diabetic or are taking prescription diuretics for other health conditions, your doc will tell you what you should be doing.

Personally, I need more than 8 but probably less than 16 cups, unless I'm playing racquetball that day, in which case I drink another 8 on top of whatever I've had that day. (I lose a LOT of fluid during exercise.) So, you have to adjust it according to your needs, within reasonable limits, and replace what's lost during exercise.

unsuspectingfish

Personally, I need more than 8 but probably less than 16 cups, unless I'm playing racquetball that day, in which case I drink another 8 on top of whatever I've had that day. (I lose a LOT of fluid during exercise.) So, you have to adjust it according to your needs, within reasonable limits, and replace what's lost during exercise.

You should replace the electrolytes you lose, too, along with the water.

End6ame

If you are exercising heavily you should get close to a gallon a day.