Drinking Water

aray1107

I am really struggling with even just 8 glasses of water a day. I like water- it's the ONLY thing I drink (besides organic milk) and I've always only drank water. But I just can't drink enough! I keep it by me during the day, but by the end of an entire work day I'm lucky if I've drank 4 cups.

Any suggestions on how to drink more? I thought because I had a camelbak the straw would make me drink more, but it's not doing it for me. Any thing to add to it that wouldn't add calories? I've heard of some people adding cucumber...?

Remi79

I have a 32 oz bottle with a straw, and it makes me drink way more than if I had to unscrew a cover, tip it up and drink. I try to sip off it when there's not customers in front of me (I am a Teller) and then if I have to go to the bathroom I try to drink whatever is left, so I fill it up on the way back. It helps me. I usually drink 3 of the 32 ounce glasses sometimes 4. (Of course I forget it at work, and don't seem to drink any water when I am at home)
I have put lemon slices in it too, that helps. I've never tried cucumber though.

ccmccoy09

Do you have a water bottle you carry with you? I definitely drink more water when I have a big bottle in front of me than if I have to get up to get a glass. Now that I'm in the habit I panic if I leave the house without a water bottle.

I like lemon, lime and cucumber. Crystal Light packets are nice when you want some extra flavor. I have a water carbonator (soda stream) too, it's gives my soda craving a fix and I can mix juices in for a little kick without too many extra calories.

harebearva

Alot of experts now say the 8 glasses a day is not current. You may not need that much. Basically if your thirsty, you drink. I'd drink all you feel comfortable with and not worry.

Check this news report. It echoes what alot are saying.

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-3991145.html

BBBBennyandtheJets

I carry around a 24oz. water bottle with me and leave it in my room since that's where I am most of my day. I end up drinking like 12+ cups just because it's sitting there next to me and I'd like a sip.

Balice57

I add a bit of lemon to my water, and I really have to concentrate to get that water down. If I get distracted sometimes an evening goes by and my full glass is still sitting there.

DominiqueSmall

I play mind tricks, if you will, to get mine in. I drink in 16 ounce glasses and make a game of drinking half my water by lunch time. Then the last half by bed time.

As far as how much, I got with what I learned in the military. Take your weight, divide by 2 and then by eight and drink that. Decrease it as you lose weight. Water is good for flushing out fat, toxins etc. It helps the organs function better, aids in digestion and elimination and in weight loss. It also helps the liver do what it needs to do.

One of the most common mistakes is that we eat instead of drink because we think we are hungry. More often than not we are really thirsty. I always drink first and then if I'm still hungry I eat.

When I upped my water to the above formula, I dropped 5 pounds overnight.

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/health/water-plus-oxygen-equals-weight-loss

Also, some of your water intake can be tea (especially herbal) which might be easier for you to get down.

Jesea

I brew decaf green tea in my iced tea pot, it's even better with a couple peach or lemon herbal tea bags mixed in.

original_cake_face

Drink if you're thirsty. Don't choke it down if you don't want it. Your body will let you know.

tam8374

Crystal Light packets are nice when you want some extra flavor. I have a water carbonator (soda stream) too, it's gives my soda craving a fix and I can mix juices in for a little kick without too many extra calories.

I use Crystal light all the time too.

I should look into on of the water carbonators. I love soda, but I don't want the calories.

8kidsmom

You can get sweetleaf stevia at a health food store or off of amazon, is adds no calories and is not artificial. You can get it in about 10 different flavors, it takes about 7 drops for 16 oz. My favorite is root beer or grape. I have no problem now drinking plenty of water, my kids drink it all day long and my 2 year old asks for it in his sippy cup You can also get chocolate, add it to your milk and you have chocolate milk, but it is still white! LOL Great stuff!

amanda52488

I use the crystal light packets usually once a day and that helps.. it is definitley a conscious effort for me to get my 8 glasses a day in. However, I have definitley noticed when I am drinking 8 glasses a day that it helps a lot with my weight loss!

Callen6685

I carry a 24 oz bottle. I hear your body benefits better drinking 8 to 10 oz every 20 minutes. Any more than that and you just stay in the bathroom.

kyt1206

As a biomed scientist (having spent some time learning this stuff) - general rule of thumb is, if your urine is light yellow, you're about good, clear and you might be doing a little much but still okay. If it's yellow you need to drink more. That's because your kidneys regulate your blood circulation/cleaning out the junk. The darker the color, the higher the level of junk. So if it's clear - not cloudly and light yellow or clear in color then you're generally good on the hydration. Note that after meals, you will pass out excess proteins in your urine making it *slightly* more cloudly. Also, bad dietary habits with too much sugar will give your urine a strong smell.

aray1107

Thanks for the advice everyone!