8 Cups of water a day... HOW?!

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Replies

  • opheliav5
    opheliav5 Posts: 3 Member
    be careful with the tea...it's a diuretic and can make you lose your fluid.
  • UnoDrea3732
    UnoDrea3732 Posts: 342 Member
    I drink around a gallon a day but I do have a 32oz cup at my desk and access to water at all times. I set goals - like I have to fill my cup at least twice before lunch and twice before I end my day.
  • amberlynnsinspired
    amberlynnsinspired Posts: 438 Member
    I drink water all day till I get my goal of water in. I start off with one new water bottle that is 16.9oz, which is already two cups. Then through out the day, I will refill it 4-7 times. If I have 4 water bottles, I know I had 8 cups. If I refill it 5 times, I know I had 10 cups and so on. Normally I will have a diet soda as well. But try drinking less juice because those are useless calories, in my opinion. Try having a water bottle with you at all times. It works for me.
  • kap337
    kap337 Posts: 1 Member
    By setting my goal to be a liter before noon, this helps to give me more time to drink and I don't pee all night. Also, I use a liter water bottle so I can easily track how much I drink. It is much easier for me to accomplish my goal when I squeeze a lemon into the water bottle.
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    I have a Tervis Tumbler that I fill up and keep cold in the fridge at home as well as carrying a 750 ml water bottle in my backpack -- in my water I usually add a Nuun tablet that gives it just a little flavor as well as giving me electrolytes that my body seems to want/need.
  • Queenofthezoo
    Queenofthezoo Posts: 69 Member
    I find it easiest to drink 16 oz at a time intead of 8 oz. If between meals you drink one large glass (16 oz), it is easier to get that in 3 times a day, then add in what you drink during a meal and you're there.
  • LadyBeryl
    LadyBeryl Posts: 344 Member
    I have a Sodastream because I like my water fizzy. I don't use much flavoring and never any with sugar or saccharin. I fill up a 34 ounce container 2 times a day and usually finish them both off.

    You don't HAVE to drink so much water if you eat lots of fruits.
  • elsbbels
    elsbbels Posts: 190 Member
    I have a 1ltr sports bottle that I refill about 3-4 times a day, I never used to drink water but that's mostly what I drink now, with the occasional coffee and green tea/raspberry and echinacea tea :)

    it really makes a difference with weight loss, and I feel better for it

    xx
  • NavyKnightAh13
    NavyKnightAh13 Posts: 1,394 Member
    I hate water, but I am starting to get to the point that if I don't drink it, I get a very nasty headache. Its hard, but I figure if I do what my ob said to do during the pregnancy I would be okay now. I was told one cup of water for every diet pepsi and mind you I have been backing off the soda so increasing the water hasn't been easy but I am getting there.

    I find it easier since I am a mom at home currently to drink a mason jar (yeah no laughing) that holds 24 oz and refill that, as well as drinking it in the morning, and during my workouts. when I go to the y (which I need to get back into again) I take my water bottle that I got at one of my 5ks and have it filled so I can't drink anything else, and refill it as necessary.
  • Prephred
    Prephred Posts: 140 Member
    I am having trouble with the water but reading these posts made me realize my water bottle is 16 oz not 8 - lol been getting twice the water I thought. I use the crystal light flavorings because I dont deal well with just plain water. At one time I was drinking a gallon to gallon and 1/2 a day so I know I can do it. Just been having trouble getting back in the swing.

    Keep chugging =)
  • Lovlilyn
    Lovlilyn Posts: 79 Member
    Wow, can't believe how much misinformation is in this thread.

    The 8, 8oz glass of water requirement is a MYTH:
    http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2012/06/05/12053524-let-go-of-the-water-bottle-youre-plenty-hydrated-people?lite

    Do not torture yourself with your bladder nearly bursting every 30 minutes, just drink to thirst. I used to carry around a 32oz bottle - usually drank 2 a day, then all the other beverages (coffee in the morning - and no, it does not have a diuretic effect if you are used to drinking it, ice tea, juice, etc.), and I ended up seeing a urologist for my constant peeing problem. She told me to STOP drinking so much! :-)
  • new_bella
    new_bella Posts: 199 Member
    I break it up throughout the day. In the morning I have 1-2 cups (sometimes I will add a splash of OJ to it) and then I bring two 16 oz bottles with me at work and keep them at my desk to drink throughout the day. When I get home from work I usually have water with dinner. Sometimes I add lemon or a little bit of apple cider or apple juice to the water (about 1/8th) to help me drink more of it. Just that little bit of flavour does the trick sometimes.
  • MrsDrk
    MrsDrk Posts: 153 Member
    I put frozen blueberries or strawberries in it. Just about 1/4 or 1/2 a cup depending on the berry. It makes me want to get to the bottom of the cup. My "cup" is equal to 24oz and I'm able to get 4-5 down through the day. Also, I really dislike water- the taste and the heartburn I get from it. Now that I drink this amount daily- if I miss a day, I feel like junk.
  • LokiOfAsgard
    LokiOfAsgard Posts: 378 Member
    When I drank 8 cups of water, I had to not drink anything but water.
    BUT
    I have learned you don't need to drink that much, only enough to make your urine clear to light yellow. So I don't even count it anymore, I just drink when I'm thirsty :)
  • Calicot
    Calicot Posts: 14 Member
    Directly from the Mayo Clinic :

    How much water should you drink each day? It's a simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

    I myself have problems drinking enough water per day during Winter. But when Spring comes along... so does the urge to drink more water.
  • Mrs_Bones
    Mrs_Bones Posts: 195 Member
    Easy peasy. I drink 4 cups while working out first thing in the morning, and then I sip throughout the day about 4-8 more. I don't drink in full glasses at a sitting, if that makes any sense, I just sip water frequently. You get used to drinking more and then really notice a difference when you don't get it.
  • EvilDollee
    EvilDollee Posts: 386 Member
    1 cup per hour, easy-peasy.
  • JustTheBeebs
    JustTheBeebs Posts: 124 Member
    not sure how many "cups" it is but i have a litre bottle of water at work. fill it up at 9 am
    i then have 4 hours, yes 4 hours!! to drink 1 litre before my lunch at 1.
    then at 1 fill 'er up again and do the same until 5

    i find this so easy to achieve! 1 cup per hour of the work day really is nothing
  • jlapey
    jlapey Posts: 1,850 Member
    I generally get about 4-5 but I am fully hydrated. I have to pee, at minimum, once every hour. Any liquid counts, including liquids from your food. Don't get caught up in the numbers.
  • haymancm
    haymancm Posts: 280 Member
    I keep my 32 oz next to me @ my desk & just refill as necessary. I drink more than 12 cups/day. I don't drink anything else, no sodas, just water. But, I'm working out getting out of my obese weight status. :)
  • legnarevocrednu
    legnarevocrednu Posts: 467 Member
    On a good day, I MAKE myself drink two glasses of water before I eat anything. i.e. tea first thing, glass of water, breakfast, 2 glasses of water, lunch, 2 glasses of water, dinner, 2 glasses of water...etc...even between snacks. When I focus on it, I can do it.
  • enigmaneo
    enigmaneo Posts: 61 Member
    I think the 8 Cups is overkill. Unless you're on some weird steroids or something then you might to drink more. I assumed that's why you always see the huge people at the gym carrying around jugs of water.
  • gracielynn1011
    gracielynn1011 Posts: 726 Member
    It's all I drink. I very rarely have soda anymore, maybe once a week or so. I may have a glass of milk with dinner every few days or so. The rest of the time it is water. I carry a bottle with me at all times. Sometimes I flavor it, sometimes I don't. I usually get 6-8 each day.
  • tjpoore
    tjpoore Posts: 2
    Once your body gets used to the increase in water intake you wont have to pee nearly as much.
  • NicholeElizabeth92
    NicholeElizabeth92 Posts: 186 Member
    I carry a water bottle everywhere and i drink when i start to feel hungry or bored to prevent me from boredom eating. mine holds 3 cups i usually drink one bottle between 6am and 12pm another between 1pm and 8 pm and one or two more during a workout totalling between 9and 12 cups a day.
  • LBNOakland
    LBNOakland Posts: 379 Member
    I used to feel just like you! I started drinking a 32 oz cup of water while I was getting ready for work. I would fill it, take my synthroid, jump in the shower then sip/chug as I put on makeup and fixed my hair. It was hard at first. Add to that an hour commutem and I was busting by the time I got to work!! LOL My body adjusted and now I HAVE to have that 32 oz to feel awake and start my day. I then added another 32 oz mid-morn/ lunch. A third one was started at work and finished with dinner. Kepp in mind, this has been over a several years progression. I recently have begun meeting my goal of a gallon a day. The 3rd 32 oz cup is finished at work. I may have to chug it by the end of the day. I start a 4th 32 oz cup with dinner and finish then or finnish with my evening workout. At this point, I am drinking more than a gallon a day. The more I drink, the more I want to drink. I am not in the bathroom all day but I do go more frequently than my co-workers. That's ok. Count it as my smoke break!! :drinker:

    Adding the 4th 32 oz cup has made a difference in my weight loss and energy level. I can tell I am on the right track! I still have my 2 cups of coffee a day and sometimes an afternoon hot tea. Rarely am I struggling to meet my 128 oz goal.

    Good luck!! :wink:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I drink out of pint sized glasses, and can drink a glass of water (so 2 cups) in twenty gulps. Takes about ... 20 seconds or so. Repeat 4 times throughout the day.
  • TomTomato
    TomTomato Posts: 223
    The only thing I could add to what's already said... DEPENDS! Sorry, I couldn't resist. I guess you have to *plan* your water drinking for the times you are able to use the bathroom.
  • I carry a gallon around with me every day to help keep me on pace.
  • rabblerabble
    rabblerabble Posts: 471 Member
    Makes a huge difference if the water is ICE COLD. Fortunately in our break room, the office has an ice machine that can either dispense ice only for the pop dispensers (which I NEVER use, not even the diet stuff),or water and ice together.

    Of course it does have me running to use the rest room on a regular basis.