water tracking tips?

emcdonie

I keep losing track of my water intake and end up estimating. I have been trying to mark it each time in MFP I refill my bottle, but that isnt always practical if I am not near the pc.

My bottle is a 24 ounce nalgene I use just solely for my water.... I like the size and I can put it in the side pocket on my purse to carry with me when I leave. I do carry it nearly everywhere. I usually refill 3-6 times a day most days. My brain can't seem to accurately keep track. I don't want to accidently fall short on my water. My sodium as been higher than I care for lately, and causing some water weight to come on... and I know the water helps offset that a little.

I suppose the obvious answer is just make a better effort to keep track....(and eat less sodium obviously).....

I wondered if anyone had any creative tips on keeping a count on the water???

dogo187

put elastic bands around your water bottle and every time you fill it up take off one of the rubber bands...

you should be able to keep track that way...

picimadar

There's an app for Android called "Water your body", and it's great! It notifies you when you need to take a drink so you don't forget, and you can track as you drink or as you finish a bottle. It'll calculate for you how much you should be drinking for your weight each day as well. Very helpful for me the last few weeks.

emcdonie

Perfect!! The elastic band tip is exactly what I needed.

Unfortunately I have no smart phone.

now_or_never12

With the elastic band idea, you can use a variation of that as well. When I first started I would put eight hair ties or elastics on my right wrist. As I drank a glass of water I would move one to my left wrist. It was an easy way to keep track at first.

Now I just use a large water bottle and when I fill it I track the whole amount it holds. When I refill I add more. If you don't always have access to a computer or a smartphone to check in here the elastics would probably be best until you know you are getting enough water each day.

emcdonie

putting them on the wrist is a good idea too. My one thought would be if my children starting pulling them off my bottle. LOL On the wrist they would be protected at least.

DanielleB1016

You mentioned you use a 24oz bottle- as do I. I am super forgetful, and have a hard time tracking as well. I bought a water bottle made by Thermos, and it has a dial on it to help you keep track. But if you are worried about your kids taking the rubber bands, there is a possibility they could mess with the dial too. http://www.thermos.com//products/intak-purple-24-oz-hydration-bottle.aspx

emcdonie

That's neat, I didn't know they made one like that. :-) Good to know!

jay3334

I picked up a tracking band you can put on any water bottle from h2otally.com. Definitley worth the 10 bucks

emcdonie

that band is such a simple and neat idea. :-) Thanks for sharing about it.