Ways to Help Ensure I Drink Enough Water?

I carry a 24 ounce chilled bottle with me everywhere. When I am hungry or thirsty, I drink before I have anything else. For me, a naturally lazy person, just keeping it at hand really helps.

--Gone from a 2-3 cups a day to a minimum 10 cups of straight water. Still drinking a bit of diet soda and coffee too; turns out I need a lot more liquid than I used to think I did!

i find it much more palatable when its cold. if you have a jug/pitcher or 2 you could do it with lemons/limes/oranges or cucumber or berries are good too.

i am on a water challenge right now but i tend to feel groggy when i drink too much water so im building up tolerance.

for my size ive been told i should be drinking 4l instead of 2 but much like you i stall at about 3-4. Carrying a water bottle with you will definately help. If youre at home i have also heard of someone getting out 8 glasses when she has a drink she washes the cup and puts it away.

i think the trick is, as with anything to make it easy for yourself. so carry a bottle, and make sure to have a glass of water with each meal and youre on the right track

good luck and dont forget to let us know how you go

I'm not much of a water drinker either, but after a while, I got into the habit of drinking bottled water, each bottle containing 2 cups.

One bottle of water after you wake up, a cup of water before each meal and snack (I drink 2 cups/ a water bottle instead), and then a bottle of water before bed. My normal goal is, of course, to at least drink 8 cups (64 ounces), but I do not surpass 16 cups (128 cups/ 1 gallon) of water a day. Just don't surpass 2 cups at a time and take your time, it can be dangerous if you drink too much!

Herbal teas have virtually zero calories, I have a couple of those a day and I also bought a Soda stream because I find it easier to drink sparkling plain water. You can also get sugar-free mixes for it.

I used to drink a little bit of water, and a lotta bit of soda.

Since I started using those water enhancers (MIO, but the Kroger or other store brand), rarely drink any soda now. I probably drink about the equivalent of 8 16oz or more daily of water.

I definitely agree that you need to have water with you at all times -- driving, working, school, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, anywhere!

For me, it is helpful to set goals throughout the day. For instance, when I had an hour drive to work I would have to finish my first water bottle by the time I arrived to work. I would then have to finish my next water bottle by my lunch break, and my following water bottle by the time I was leaving work.

my question for the soda stream and mio users... does the carbonation or artificial flavoring make the water any less useful to the purpose of drinking the water alone? aka is it worse than drinking the water minus these things or is there a difference at all?

Carbonated water is just as good as water. Depending on who you ask, artificial flavouring (esp those with artificial sweeteners) can be either good or bad. Some people swear by them, others won't touch them. But your body is still getting the water it needs regardless. If you're comfortable with artificial sweeteners and have no bad reactions, it's a great way to introduce more water into your diet without the calorie count.

I break it down into manageable goals...I keep a 27 oz water bottle (camel bak eddy) with me. I drink one before my workout - usually around 11 am. One during my workout, one before I leave work, and one between coming home from work bedtime. I just keep it near and keep sipping, it's not a chore at all. My only beverages are coffee (1-2 cups in the morning), soymilk or almond milk and water.

I am seconding the idea to carry a 24 oz. container. I am for emptying it 3 times a day, putting me at 9 servings of 8 oz. I also aim for 3 sodas a day. So I make myself put the water before the soda! Finish one before my lunchtime coke, another before my dinner soda, and the last one before my evening snack drink. I went from struggling to get 3 8 oz servings, now I get more like 9-12. Ice helps!

I use a 32oz water bottle, makes it easier to consume water. Plus every time I down the bottle, its 4 cups of H20 down out of the 16 min that I usually drink. Easily average a gallon+ a day. Def is a chore when you start out but it gets easier.

I try to keep in my mind that when doctors say 8 cups, they mean 8 servings of 8 ounces of water. A 16 oz bottle of water will there are two servings of water in the bottle. So just try to find a water bottle brand that you really like the taste of. I know arrowhead tastes like faucet water which is not good at all. Put the bottles in the fridge or somewhere you will come across them and take 2 or three bottles with you to work.