my water consumption.....

ladyshands

I slice lemon, lime, cucumber, cantaloupe, OR peaches and put them in my water bottle in the morning. They keep my water slightly flavored all day long. I just leave them in there and keep filling up my bottle. It makes it easy to drink 8+ cups of water a day. I know my water bottle holds 3 cups, so it makes it easy to keep track.

added bonus *Lemon water boosts metabolism.

ha! peaches... didnt think of that.. thanks for the idea

ladyshands

My experience has been that it's something you have to get use to over time. I never use to be a big water drinker either. I use to drink SO much coca-cola. I cut that out, and started drinking Diet...then I cut that out completely and just went for water.

I found that over time, the more I got use to it, the more I needed water. I could drink other drinks (juice, pop etc on occassion) but would want a glass of water right after. I now carry a 32oz water bottle with me at work. And I have it sitting in an area where I can see it all the time.

Perhaps this is just a thing you need to get use to? And I definitely would try and do what some of the other have suggested and try lemon, or cucumber, or some of those packets you can add to drinks (like MIO or crystal light).
[/quote

definitely taking some getting used to.. but the fruit ideas on here have been good ones.

ladyshands

I made it a habit to keep a glass around me when I'm at home, and just absentmindedly drink from it and refill it whenever it's empty. It not only increased how much I drank in a day, it also got me used to the taste to where I don't care.

The part I *don't* like, that also helped, is something I got from a gastroenterologist. He says if you put two glasses of water on your stomach before taking in any food or drink, first thing in the morning, your digestive system works a lot better. I hate doing it, but I remind myself that in 20 seconds it'll be over with and I can move on to breakfast and coffee.

you know, I have heard something to this effect... And I have tried it a few times and I definitely eat less. I also heard that drinking water after you eat (about 30 minutes after a meal) helps with digestion, or something of that sort.

Esusanr

I like to jazz up my water every now and again. Below are some combinations you could try...

Lemon/cucumber:
10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / or Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Blackberry/Sage
Note that a part from the berries, sage leafs is the herb that has the highest antioxidant content.
10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3-4 sage leaves. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

Watermelon/Rosemary
10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

Pineapple/Mint
10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

ladyshands

Drink when you are thirsty, stop when you aren't. Stop worrying about an arbitrary number that has absolutely no bearing on health or reality. Just stay hydrated, whether it takes 3 cups or 12 cups is unimportant. there are absolutely zero health effects for consuming more water than you need to stay hydrated, and it can in fact be fatal to drink too much (although, realistically, that's usually a combination of electrolyte depletion plus high water intake.)

How do you know 5 cups isn't enough for you?

how do you know 5 cups IS? do you have any suggestions for things to add to the water?

ladyshands

I like to jazz up my water every now and again. Below are some combinations you could try...

Lemon/cucumber:
10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime
10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / or Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Blackberry/Sage
Note that a part from the berries, sage leafs is the herb that has the highest antioxidant content.
10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3-4 sage leaves. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

Watermelon/Rosemary
10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems. Leave in refrigerator overnight before serving.

Pineapple/Mint
10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

these are great ideas! thank you for sharing

tigersword

I made it a habit to keep a glass around me when I'm at home, and just absentmindedly drink from it and refill it whenever it's empty. It not only increased how much I drank in a day, it also got me used to the taste to where I don't care.

The part I *don't* like, that also helped, is something I got from a gastroenterologist. He says if you put two glasses of water on your stomach before taking in any food or drink, first thing in the morning, your digestive system works a lot better. I hate doing it, but I remind myself that in 20 seconds it'll be over with and I can move on to breakfast and coffee.

you know, I have heard something to this effect... And I have tried it a few times and I definitely eat less. I also heard that drinking water after you eat (about 30 minutes after a meal) helps with digestion, or something of that sort.

Actually, drinking right after eating could make digestion harder. Digestion relies on stomach acid, and drinking a large amount of water could dilute the acid, which will make digestion more difficult while the body manufactures more acid to balance it out.

tigersword

Drink when you are thirsty, stop when you aren't. Stop worrying about an arbitrary number that has absolutely no bearing on health or reality. Just stay hydrated, whether it takes 3 cups or 12 cups is unimportant. there are absolutely zero health effects for consuming more water than you need to stay hydrated, and it can in fact be fatal to drink too much (although, realistically, that's usually a combination of electrolyte depletion plus high water intake.)

How do you know 5 cups isn't enough for you?

how do you know 5 cups IS? do you have any suggestions for things to add to the water?

Are you thirsty? Is your urine pale in color (not dark?) Then it's enough. It's not really that complicated.

ladyshands

I HATE water but no water - no weight loss. I tried the additives and they just pinged my sweet meter and then binging happened. SO FAR I have been using lemon and it works(one of my MFP buddies told me about it (thanks)). No sweet meter and I still can drink it without it being such a chore. But yeah- I don't like water either.

I agree! thanks for clearing this up for those who try their hardest to convince me as well as anyone else, that you really dont need water.. thats bull.

ladyshands

Drink when you are thirsty, stop when you aren't. Stop worrying about an arbitrary number that has absolutely no bearing on health or reality. Just stay hydrated, whether it takes 3 cups or 12 cups is unimportant. there are absolutely zero health effects for consuming more water than you need to stay hydrated, and it can in fact be fatal to drink too much (although, realistically, that's usually a combination of electrolyte depletion plus high water intake.)

How do you know 5 cups isn't enough for you?

how do you know 5 cups IS? do you have any suggestions for things to add to the water?

Are you thirsty? Is your urine pale in color (not dark?) Then it's enough. It's not really that complicated.

Obviously not, since my original question had NOTHING to do with how much to drink... but rather what to do to FLAVOR it

NicS69

8 oz Water
1 slice grapefruit
1 tangerine
½ cucumber, sliced
2 peppermint leaves
Ice – as much as you like

There is a whole thing listed about how this helps turn fat into fuel. Who knows if that's real or not, but it definitely sounds yummy. Good luck!

amytag

I make water with lemon (thinly sliced as possible), cucumber (thinly sliced) and mint sprigs. It's amazingly refreshing. Also with sliced apples and cinnamon sticks. Let either of these sit overnight in a pitcher, then enjoy.

I also drink a ton of spearmint tea. It is just as hydrating as water and I don't add sweetener because I find that I don't need it with the mint.

katy_trail

mint tea bags, especially refreshing if it's hot outside.

I hate tea lol... plus I am concerned about caffeine

there aren't any tea leaves, you could get the same affect by using mint leaves, might need to grind them up a bit first to extract the flavors more. on the label there's no caffeine.

ladyshands

"I agree! thanks for clearing this up for those who try their hardest to convince me as well as anyone else, that you really dont need water.. thats bull. "


LOL...don't confuse her with the facts.

dont be a troll hun

ladyshands

I only like cold water. Also, I use a big bottle that holds about 6 cups of water in it. I try to drink at least one bottle. Honestly, I haven't been doing so great myself!

yea I have a 1.5 liter bottle today which equals 6 glasses.. I will just keep at it

Kelliburgy

slice of orange or chunk of watermelon.

olDave

"I agree! thanks for clearing this up for those who try their hardest to convince me as well as anyone else, that you really dont need water.. thats bull. "


LOL...don't confuse her with the facts.

dont be a troll hun

Have no idea what a "troll" is but here are some facts for you. Even if you choose not to believe these people, it shows there is definitely controversy over whether or not "8 glasses/day" is a myth or not. It would be interesting to know why you believe it's NOT a myth.

Peace.

Eight glasses of water a day an urban myth'?

Water and a well-balanced diet 'do far more than water alone,' Australian researcher says

CBC News

Posted: Jun 10, 2012 12:51 AM ET

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2012 12:48 AM ET

The common advice to drink eight glasses of water a day doesn't hold water, say nutrition and kidney specialists who want to dispel the myth.

"What drove us to drink two litres of water a day?" asks an editorial in this week's issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

The recommendation was driven by vested interests rather than health, suggests author Speros Tsindos of the department of dietetics and human nutrition at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.
Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)
"Humans need to maintain fluid balance and need to drink water when required, but should also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices. There is further evidence that water and a well-balanced diet does far more than water alone," Tsindos wrote.

"Water is important for health; however, the recommendation of eight glasses of pure water per day appears an overestimation of requirements."

Even a baked potato is 75 per cent water, said nutrition Prof. Susan Barr of the University of British Columbia, who sat on a Canadian-U.S. committee that looked at fluid intake.

"There's nothing magical about water from a glass of water as opposed to water from a food or any other beverage," Barr said.

Drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee do not lead to dehydration, said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a nephrologist at the University of Pennsylvania who reviewed research claims on drinking eight glasses of water and studied how the kidneys handle it.

Let thirst guide you

"Drinking the coffee will count towards your total water intake for the day," Goldfarb said.

Goldfarb said despite the common idea that it's important to "drink eight glasses of eight ounces of water" a day, "There’s no evidence that benefits health in any real way and it really represents an urban myth."

There's no evidence you need to drink more water than what thirst dictates, Goldfarb added.

Studies on desert nomads showed people can consume minimal amounts of water in harsh environments. The military has also looked at how much water soldiers need to take with them when patrolling in hot climates without harming their performance.

"If one is just playing a game of tennis in an indoor facility, for example, or having a short run on a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym, the need to maintain hydration during that is just non-existent," Goldfarb advised.

People have died of dehydration and from drinking too much water too quickly.

A good guide to tell if the body’s finely tuned fluid balance is to check the colour of your urine. If it's very dark, you're on the dry side; if it's very light or translucent, then you need to drink a bit less water, said Dr. David Price, head of family medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.

ladyshands

"I agree! thanks for clearing this up for those who try their hardest to convince me as well as anyone else, that you really dont need water.. thats bull. "


LOL...don't confuse her with the facts.

dont be a troll hun

Have no idea what a "troll" is but here are some facts for you. Even if you choose not to believe these people, it shows there is definitely controversy over whether or not "8 glasses/day" is a myth or not. It would be interesting to know why you believe it's NOT a myth.

Peace.

Eight glasses of water a day an urban myth'?

Water and a well-balanced diet 'do far more than water alone,' Australian researcher says

CBC News

Posted: Jun 10, 2012 12:51 AM ET

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2012 12:48 AM ET

The common advice to drink eight glasses of water a day doesn't hold water, say nutrition and kidney specialists who want to dispel the myth.

"What drove us to drink two litres of water a day?" asks an editorial in this week's issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

The recommendation was driven by vested interests rather than health, suggests author Speros Tsindos of the department of dietetics and human nutrition at La Trobe University in Victoria, Australia.
Other beverages also help us meet the body's fluid needs, say nutrition specialists. (Aaron Harris/Canadian Press)
"Humans need to maintain fluid balance and need to drink water when required, but should also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices. There is further evidence that water and a well-balanced diet does far more than water alone," Tsindos wrote.

"Water is important for health; however, the recommendation of eight glasses of pure water per day appears an overestimation of requirements."

Even a baked potato is 75 per cent water, said nutrition Prof. Susan Barr of the University of British Columbia, who sat on a Canadian-U.S. committee that looked at fluid intake.

"There's nothing magical about water from a glass of water as opposed to water from a food or any other beverage," Barr said.

Drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee do not lead to dehydration, said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a nephrologist at the University of Pennsylvania who reviewed research claims on drinking eight glasses of water and studied how the kidneys handle it.

Let thirst guide you

"Drinking the coffee will count towards your total water intake for the day," Goldfarb said.

Goldfarb said despite the common idea that it's important to "drink eight glasses of eight ounces of water" a day, "There’s no evidence that benefits health in any real way and it really represents an urban myth."

There's no evidence you need to drink more water than what thirst dictates, Goldfarb added.

Studies on desert nomads showed people can consume minimal amounts of water in harsh environments. The military has also looked at how much water soldiers need to take with them when patrolling in hot climates without harming their performance.

"If one is just playing a game of tennis in an indoor facility, for example, or having a short run on a treadmill in an air-conditioned gym, the need to maintain hydration during that is just non-existent," Goldfarb advised.

People have died of dehydration and from drinking too much water too quickly.

A good guide to tell if the body’s finely tuned fluid balance is to check the colour of your urine. If it's very dark, you're on the dry side; if it's very light or translucent, then you need to drink a bit less water, said Dr. David Price, head of family medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont.

Someone who is constantly throwing up propaganda that is not needed or asked for... Such as you trying to spoon feed me your ideas after I clearly stated I did not ask for them, want them or agree. In other words, a trouble maker. Find something more constructive to do with your time. Good day sir! This does not warrant a reply. In fact you are now on ignore.

olDave

LOL...I learn something new everyday.

98777

Maybe if you just gradually force yourself to drink it although it might not taste so good ( it's obviously quite plain) you will eventually get used to it and won't care. You'll have a greater tolerance for it and will easily be able to drink 8, 10, or however much you need in a day without thinking twice. That's what happened to me. Now it's second nature.