Why do I find it so hard to drink 8 glasses of water a day?

abigail132
abigail132 Posts: 45
in Food and Nutrition
I honestly can't remember the last time I drank 8 glasses of water a day. I allow myself a glass of juice a day at breakfast, and even after exercise I can't gulp down water like some people do - I drink really slowly by taking tiny sips.
Any suggestions on how to increase my water consumption without making me feel physically sick and bloated?

I've tried adding squash to my water for taste, but I don't want to drink 8 glasses of this a day! And I really don't think that taste is the problem.

I would really appreciate it if I could get some help :-) Thank you very much Abbie xo
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Replies

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,223 Member
    It doesn't actually have to be water, just count your liquids, and food actually counts for about 20% of that value. Your going to hear shortly that only water counts, which would mean all the other liquid is transferred to a holding tank then drained into a septic somewhere, no I don't think so.
  • victoriannsays
    victoriannsays Posts: 568 Member
    It doesn't actually have to be water, just count your liquids, and food actually counts for about 20% of that value. Your going to hear shortly that only water counts, which would mean all the other liquid is transferred to a holding tank then drained into a septic somewhere, no I don't think so.

    this
  • nsondy
    nsondy Posts: 17 Member
    Small water bottles sometimes help me. I go through phases of just not wanting to drink water, during those times I use my smallest water bottles so I feel like I am accomplishing something when I finish it, rather than using my liter bottles and feeling ovewhelmed by how much water I have to drink.
  • jenndymond
    jenndymond Posts: 117 Member
    I have a bottle of water with me all the time. Find if its there Ill drink more of it.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    It's not really good to guzzle your water down anyway. Something I find that helps is to have a nice big container that I can drink off of all day. I get 2 cups from my tea in the morning, 4 cups from my water container, 2 more cups from my water bottle at the gym and then at least 2 more cups at night with dinner, if not more.

    It's hard to "count" liquids from foods but if you know you're eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, you're probably getting enough hydration. One good way to judge is the color of your urine. If it's very pale yellow and odorless, you're fine. If it's a bit stronger yellow, you probably need to drink more. Some foods and meds can alter the color of urine though so keep that in mind...
  • alf1163
    alf1163 Posts: 3,143 Member
    You are not alone, lots of people cannot drink that much water including my father and my husband. :noway: I drink about a gallon a day if not more. It is so easy for me to drink that much water, it is just me...My husband is getting better at it because he knows how important it is. He normally carries a bottle with him and drinks throughout the day. With my dad, he prefers it at room temperature and I also add some crystal light to it for flavoring. That helps him drink more. He was in the hospital recently and the Drs said he was very dehydrated. :noway: :grumble: Of course...

    Water IS the most important nutrient for your body. More important than food. As someone said eating foods with a lot of water content can help with your overall intake but how much watermelon, etc can you eat? Just make a conscious effort to drink it. Minimum is 8 cups of water, have you measured that? It is actually not that much. Once you get used to it you will be drinking that and more. Your body will be asking for it. Also monitor it by the way your urine looks. Is it dark? You are dehydrated. You want your urine to be completely clear. Are you thirsty? You are dehydrated. Coffee, sodas and tea don't count because they are diuretics.

    Best advice: JUST DO IT!!! CHEERS :drinker:
  • RobynLB
    RobynLB Posts: 617 Member
    I don't drink much water either, and yet, I pee at least12 times a day. My theory is that these is a wormhole somewhere in a lake that is feeding water directly into my stomach. That, or I just eat a lot of high water foods - plants, etc.
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    You don't need to drink that much it's a myth with no scientific backing. I could post links but I suggest you google it and come to your own conclusion.
  • kmmuellr
    kmmuellr Posts: 19
    I can slam water like its nothing. My wife on the other hand can't. She's taken to carrying around a large cup with a straw. She claims that she drinks WAY more through a straw than she does if she's just drinking.

    K
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    Coffee, sodas and tea don't count because they are diuretics.
    Absolutely not true.
  • pugsley5
    pugsley5 Posts: 38 Member
    I am with you,water actually gives me terrible heartburn;-((( Diet Coke does not..so strange...lol.. I try to use little plastic cups to try to get through the day....I don't beat myself up if I don't drink 8 glasses and neither should you..We are trying..good luck,your not alone.
  • RVfrog
    RVfrog Posts: 213 Member
    I used to be you.....I never drank water. But I have a bottle that the gym where I go gave me and I need to drink two of them for my water intake. The first couple of months I would add 1 packet of crystal light to it and get it down....the second bottle of water I would not add anything to it. After about 2 wks. I found that while I was at the gym....I was drinking 3 bottles of water as I was working out. So the secret is.....get a bottle and then make yourself realize I should drink x amount. then set out to accomplish that. What I realize now ....when I want something to drink...while hubby is drinking diet soda....I go get a glass of water and put a lemon wedge in it and I 'm good. Wishing you luck....if I can do it.........trust me..........YOU can do it.
  • JB5349
    JB5349 Posts: 135 Member
    i just get a 1.5 litre bottle of water which is equivelant to six glasses of water and carry that with me or have it at my desk. I also always drink through a straw, I find that I am drinking more water that way.

    It works for me hopefully either one with work for you.

    The other option is to put some lemon, lime, frozen strawberries or crystal light in your water. I dont like a whole lot of sweetness so I tend to use one of the single serving ones in a 1.5 l bottle of water.

    Most of the time I find the big bottle and the glass with the straw do it for me without any flavouring!

    Hope this helps
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    I can't drink nowhere near as much in winter as I can in summer. In the warmer months I happily drink loads, in winter I have to pretty much force myself, I prefer tea when it's cold!
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    As others have said there is no need to drink 8 glasses of water a day and other liquids count towards your fluid intake.

    Basically, if your urine runs clear / very pale then drink less, if it runs dark then drink more.
  • porkchop_13
    porkchop_13 Posts: 122
    I have a bottle of water with me all the time. Find if its there Ill drink more of it.



    I do this too, if its in my face I'll drink it.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    Cold water is what makes me able to drink it. Room temperature just makes me feel bloated and nauseous. It also just takes time to get used to it. Overall, I now prefer water. I didn't feel that way three months ago!
  • Northwest_Bob
    Northwest_Bob Posts: 9 Member
    The thing about water for me is that it helps curtail hunger. I try to drink a glass each time before I eat. I also try to wait 10 minutes after I drink it to eat. Sometimes I think I am hungry, when I am really thirsty.

    I agree with the large container idea. I keep a 1 liter sports water bottle at my desk and sip from it all day. There is no magic in changing your eating life style. But, if there is any magic in any diet program, it is filling up on water. If you are able to lose weight and keep it off without drinking lots of water, then more power to you.
  • Tann33
    Tann33 Posts: 101 Member
    I have a bottle of water with me all the time. Find if its there Ill drink more of it.



    I do this too, if its in my face I'll drink it.

    Me too.
  • ltowne
    ltowne Posts: 129 Member
    For me, it is a habit. Gradually work up to 8 glasses per day. When I first started keeping track of my water intake, it was impossible to drink 8 glasses. Now, it is easy as my body has adjusted to the amount. My mother was recently injured in an accident and they have pushed water at the rehab facility because of dehydration of her muscles. It is an important part of your overall health.
  • fausto412
    fausto412 Posts: 100 Member
    I honestly can't remember the last time I drank 8 glasses of water a day. I allow myself a glass of juice a day at breakfast, and even after exercise I can't gulp down water like some people do - I drink really slowly by taking tiny sips.
    Any suggestions on how to increase my water consumption without making me feel physically sick and bloated?

    I've tried adding squash to my water for taste, but I don't want to drink 8 glasses of this a day! And I really don't think that taste is the problem.

    I would really appreciate it if I could get some help :-) Thank you very much Abbie xo

    I switched to drinking almost only water. I drink 8z cups starting with when I first wake up, and another before I walk out of the house.... I know people will say any fluid will count...but for me water is water...water is not h2o with sugar or high fructose corn syrup, a ton of empty calories or half of my day's sodium.

    Make the effort consciously and you'll be up to 8 in no time. I drink 12 to 15 cups a day...helps keep me fool.
  • NewCaddy
    NewCaddy Posts: 845 Member
    I set small goals. I try to have 2 cups by 10, another 2 cups by noon (or the end of my lunch), 2 cups by 5 and 2 cups by bed. I do push more in the morning so that I'm not peeing all night and I also have found that if I get 4 cups by lunch time that I do better with water the rest of the day. Sometimes the 4 cups after lunch ends up being more.
  • VeinsAndBones
    VeinsAndBones Posts: 550 Member
    Start off small, try to drink 12oz before every meal. I personally have a hard time NOT drinking 8 glasses, habits! Just set little goals at time you'll get there ;)
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    It's hard because it's not natural to drink when you are not thirsty.
  • msommy
    msommy Posts: 17 Member
    I find it super hard to drink that much water too! I am just not that thirsty!! But....I have found that if I eat something spicy, I want to wash it down and with water nearby, I drink it.....lots of it. Yesterday I ate 2 spicy peanuts....and drank an entire bottle of water! Now grant it these peanuts are labeled "The Worlds Hottest"...which they probably are. But either way...spicy food gives you a sense to drink more I always found.
  • AngryDiet
    AngryDiet Posts: 1,349 Member
    Coffee, sodas and tea don't count because they are diuretics.

    No.
  • ryblueeyes
    ryblueeyes Posts: 257 Member
    I have a big (32 oz.) water bottle that I carry with me everywhere. It's always full of ice water. If I forget my water bottle and have to use a glass I will drink much less.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I posted this earlier today. You don't need to hit a certain "cup" amount, you just need to be hydrated:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/857659-the-definitive-how-much-water-do-i-really-need-thread
  • dmkoenig
    dmkoenig Posts: 299 Member
    I mostly drink green tea (no sweetener), but not in the quantities discussed here. There are lots of good reasons to drink water but the urine test is the best feedback on whether your body is getting adequate fluids. So my personal perspective is don't get too hung up on the number, just monitor and adjust as needed.
  • Bethabooo
    Bethabooo Posts: 4
    Well most glasses have 2 cups in them so you really only need 4 tall classes.

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