Has anyone heard this about how much water to drink

The old saying drink 8 -8oz glasses of water. But has anyone else read about drinking half of what you weigh,meaning that like me I should drink 117-118 oz of water a day. It only makes since. Since I have told my friend about this she is having trouble trying to get in all her calories because she has to drink more water then me.

I just was curious on anyone else doing this.

We both have cut cokes and teas and ALL other fluids out expect water.

We cut calories down to 1200-1500 and exercising.

Replies

  • i havent read this, but i did make it my goal to drink half my body weight a couple weeks ago when i first started and lost 10 pounds... then this week i didnt do as much water and lost wayy less... gonna get back on my water drinking... hoping for those double digit results again!!! (i have a lot to lose) LOL
  • auntiemsgr8
    auntiemsgr8 Posts: 483 Member
    I have heard this. But I also heard tea can be counted as it is a water based drink. But for some reason coffee didn't count. Go figure. I haven't quite gotten to the point where I can drink that much. I'd be drinking 160 oz a day. I'm not so sure that is really healthy but I do drink more than the 64 oz on most days. If I am having a heavier than normal sodium day I really push to drink more. Overall I am slowly increasing water intake but don't do it all at once. You need to be able to adjust to the xtra so you are not disrupting your sleep
  • halobender
    halobender Posts: 780 Member
    Most water estimates aren't really based off of fact, or actual study ... it's just "drink as much water as you can," basically, because drinking water is good for you, and your body is mostly water.

    But I have heard that. I think that drinking as much water as you can is the best idea; I go by the "how does my body feel" and "how yellow is my pee" notion more than anything.

    All that said, I have no idea if the person who devised the idea of drinking half your body weight did a study or just threw that out there, either.
  • innocenceportrayed
    innocenceportrayed Posts: 569 Member
    I have heard of it and I follow it, but also know there IS such thing as too much water, it's called heavy water or water toxicity and it can happen.
  • hastinbe
    hastinbe Posts: 130 Member
    It is easy to forget but a lot of food you eat has water in it. To give you an idea:

    Apple = 84% water (116g)
    Banana = 74% (85g)
    Broccoli = 91% (40g)
    Carrots = 87% (63g)
    Cucumber = 96% (50g)
    Potato = 79% (88g)
    Strawberries = 92% (136g)
    Tomato = 94% (115g)

    The amount in grams represents the water weight.

    This is also why it is so important to get enough fruits and vegetables; they contain significant amounts of water. The adequate intake of water for women is 72 oz per day according to the Institute of Medicine. There is no point in drinking 118oz of water unless your body needs it, otherwise it causes diuresis (increased urination due to excess fluids.)

    I personally slow consumption of water once I start going to the bathroom too often. A good indication that you're getting enough water is when your urine is clear.