How to drink more?

nicolaturner1986
nicolaturner1986 Posts: 45 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm really struggling to drink more fluids and before I started my low calorie plan I would have maybe 1 or 2 drinks in a day, and usually that would be a can of diet coke, except when working at night where i could drink .

I forget to drink because I rarely feel thirsty and i'm usually busy, my weight gain wasn't through snacking it was from having super calorific meals with huge portions so I can't even try replacing snacking with having a drink.

Has anyone got any tips on how to increase my fluids? I'm not the biggest fan of plain old water but I am trying to drink more and i'm trying really hard to stay away from fizzy drinks too.

Thanks

Replies

  • wamydia
    wamydia Posts: 259 Member
    I usually carry a water bottle around with me all day long and just sip on it. My goal is to refill it at least four times a day and it has become second nature after a few years of this, but it took me a while to work all the way up to four refills a day. You actually get more benefit from the water if you sip slowly over time and I also think it is easier to drink more that way. Otherwise you are sort of sitting there and trying to force yourself to drink down a whole glass of water at one time.

    When I get bored of plain old water, I will use those little crystal light packets to flavor it. You could also try making sugar free Kool Aid. Some people like to just add some lemon flavoring also.
  • blt0087
    blt0087 Posts: 115
    I have a 32oz water bottle I carry around with me everywhere I go. Its easier to me than trying to drink 8 glasses. When I worked in a restaurant I would slice up a lemon and put a few slices in my cup, that really helped me get into the habit of drinking more. I agree with the crystal light packets, I drink a LOT of water when I use those. I'm sure my coworkers hate it, cuz I'm constantly making trips to the bathroom :laugh:
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I'm another one who always has a water bottle on hand. I use the Contigo Madison bottle - leak-proof, fits in my car cup holders and goes in the dishwasher. They have 24 and 32 oz sizes, and I get them at my local OSH, or you can get them online.

    http://www.gocontigo.com/autoseal-water-bottle-24-oz.html

    I keep one with me all the time, by my bed at night, next to my chair, in the car - it goes where I go, so it's easy to reach for and get a sip. Really helps me get plenty of water throughout the day.
  • nicolaturner1986
    nicolaturner1986 Posts: 45 Member
    we don't get crystal light in the UK - may have to look on ebay or ask my friend to pick me some up when she goes to Florida in couple of weeks.

    I think I should also invest in a water bottle - may treat myself to a brita filter bottle - would certainly save me money on buying bottled water

    Thanks for the tips :-)

    x
  • melindalancaster1
    melindalancaster1 Posts: 10 Member
    you can order crystal light on amazon i believe I am Canadian however now live in the UK and that is what i do as I love my crystal light on the go as you can stick the sachets in your bag and just add it to a water bottle whenever you want a tasty treat with minimal calories and don't fancy water x
  • Darrell916
    Darrell916 Posts: 110 Member
    I usually carry a water bottle as well, but I also try to get the mio water flavor, crystal light or even lemon to flavor the water
  • enterflora
    enterflora Posts: 1
    A water bottle definitely helps me. I have to drink 4+ litres a day for medical reasons and found it really hard until I started using a 1l bottle. It helps you to see exactly how much you are drinking as well.

    If you get bored of plain water, add a bit of lemon or brew some fruit tea for flavour.
  • stefjc
    stefjc Posts: 484 Member
    Have you tried a bottle with times marked on it?

    Some people find that helps. Get a couple of water bottles and, when you know how much they hold, mark a line on them what time of day you should have drunk down to that line.

    Fill them up every morning and take them out/to work with you.

    I think you can buy them ready marked, yet another someone making money out old rope... but any sharpie is your friend :)
  • susanrenee23
    susanrenee23 Posts: 8
    I also keep a bottle of water with me all the time. I have just recently started trying to drink more water too. It has only been 3 weeks, and it is already getting much easier. I also try to drink a glass right before lunch and supper. It feels me up a little, and then I don't eat as much. Also, if you put a slice or 2 of lemon in it, it is easier to drink.
  • SrJoben
    SrJoben Posts: 484 Member
    If you want to drink more water how about you just drink more water?

    So what if you're not really fond of it? You don't have to savor it like a fine wine. You can down a glass of water in seconds. Just drink it.
  • jenniferwoodweeg
    jenniferwoodweeg Posts: 45 Member
    Don't forget to take into account your "hidden" water you're getting from foods such as jello, coffee, melons-juicy fruits, cereal w/milk...etc. I do try and drink an additional 4 bottles of water per day to make sure I am getting the basic 64oz recommended daily!
  • LeviLeDoux
    LeviLeDoux Posts: 151 Member
    I find it easy to meet my daily water requirements by getting a huge fountain ice water with lemon in a styrofoam cup in the morning and repeatedly filling it with fresh ice and water throughout the day. I tend to drink more through a straw.
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I can drink more water if it's flavoured. I use any supermarket own-brand no added sugar, high juice orange squash (Lidl do a good one that's a lot cheaper than Tesco's). I make it up at half the strength recommended on the bottle and am working on getting used to it weaker still. The calories are pretty small, though I still count them, but 7 calories for a glass is "affordable".

    This hot weather makes it essential to notice when you're thirsty and do something about it.
  • bowbeforethoraxis
    bowbeforethoraxis Posts: 138 Member
    I'm not a water drinker, so I use the crystal light packets all the time.

    I also keep a huge pitcher in the fridge, constantly filled. Sometimes it's water with lemon, cucumber, and mint. Sometimes it is peach iced tea (I use the crystal light packets, but I'm sure there's a low calorie alternative in the UK) or green tea. Sometimes I just throw leftover fruit (melon, berries, apples sliced up so the star shows, whatever I've got lying around) in with some mint or some basil. I like the flavor better, and it's easier for me to drink.

    I'm also a HUGE Diet Coke drinker, so I make myself drink at least a glass of water before I allow myself to have a soda, which increases my water intake, and reduces my soda intake. Sometimes I set alarms on my phone too, so that every 2 hours it reminds me to drink a glass of water.
  • Tenster
    Tenster Posts: 278 Member
    Just keep a 1.5l bottle of water in the car, in your workplace and at home. Hydration is so important so even if you struggle your just going to have to make more of an effort.
  • lyndausvi
    lyndausvi Posts: 156 Member
    Like all the other posters I also keep a water bottle near me at all times. I don't use any flavoring, although I am sensitive to the taste of certain tap waters. We use Zero Water which is like a Britta. It is very helpful. I can totally tell when it's time to change the filter because of the taste.

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