H2Oh dear

I carry a water bottle with me wherever I go. I like the Contigo Madison bottle - spill proof, operates with one hand, goes in the dishwasher. I have one that holds 24oz and one for 32oz.

That is probably the best advice right there. Buy a water bottle and take it with you wherever you go. Have it at your work, home, car, etc.
If you need to add flavors, add flavors.
Buying bottled water, in my opinion, is costly and wasteful. Many of the water bottlers get their water from municipal sources.

I make sure to get AT LEAST 3 liters of water a day and I usually end up getting at least 4 and sometimes 5! My trick is that I buy the "fizzy waters" at the grocery store. They are liter bottles and come in all different flavors and because it is just carbinated water with flavoring, there is no added anything to it. You can find them at Walmart, Raleys/Bel Air, Safeway, etc. They are labeled as a "sparking water beverage". I save the bottle and be sure to fill it up at least 2 more times during the day. When I dont want something fizzy and I dont want plain water I will fill the bottle and add Crystal Light to it (I put 2 of the on-the-go packets in the liter bottle) and its a great way for me to get that next liter down. I hope this helps you! Good luck!

Yup 20 ounce bottle with me permanently. I drink a bottle before the morning shower, and 2-3 during the day and more again in the evening. I just do it. Add some flavor if you need it.

Here's a suggestion to get you started: buy some crystal light (or the generic). Or the propel one with stevia. Whatever. But instead of doing one envelope each time, open them all and put it in a jar (or buy the ones for pitchers). Sprinkle some in your water to give it just a bit of flavor. Not enough to make it super sweet, Just enough to make it taste like something.
It might hep get you going.

Bottle of water permanently next to me. I see it I take a swig. I feel hungry I take a swig. I feel bored I take a swig. Getting the picture? I pee a lot bit it's worth it.

Yes, this. And bathroom breaks are aplenty., but it's good to get up and stretch the legs on a regular basis.

Now that I've gotten used to having the right amount of water each day I can feel it the next day when I don't get enough. The other day I only got about 6 cups and I felt like crap the next morning.

I had 9 cups by the time I left work today. And I'll have 4 more by the time I go to bed. It was just a thirsty day. I usually have about 10 cups.

camel back water bottle! i hardly drank any water till I got one of these, it's 24 ounces, so 3 cups in 1 bottle, and it's got like a bite and suck straw thingy so you can drink it with no hands, I bring it everywhere and just refill and use and it's super easy (but don't put anything but plain water in it cause then bacteria can grow in the mouth piece) drinking out of any kind of straw is always easier to drink more for me.
http://www.google.com/search?q=camelbak+water+bottle&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=lUDLUoHvFNPokAfzrYDwDA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1139&bih=650#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=7YhwuFmfKDztkM:;FWCKCVetmSZQ4M;http%3A%2F%2Fi.stpost.com%2Fcamelbak-better-bottle-water-bottle-24-floz-bpa-free-in-blue~p~3084d_07~1500.jpg;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FCamelBak-Better-Bottle-Water-Bottle-w-BITE-VALVE-24-OZ-BPA-Free-PINK-75-Liter-%2F330784826027;1500;1500

When i am home i have a glass up by the bathroom sink, then when i pee i wash my hands and drink a glass of water. But it is harder to remember to drink when i am not home. When i am not home i try to carry a bottle with me. But either way i try to apply the same rule replenish what came out .

I also have a water bottle with me all the time. I actually have one for home/daily use. Find one that is a convenient size, shape, and weight. I actually like the Blender Bottle and asked for them for Christmas :laugh: I use the 3.5 cup one for my water. Two of those is almost all I need. I like soda, so I tell my self I have to drink at least 1 bottle of water before I have my 1 can of soda I have a separate bottle that is smaller for my workouts, it stays in my gym bag so I don't forget it.

I also found that if I get the to-go packs of Crystal Light or a generic and mix 1 into my big bottle (so it's twice the dilution as suggested) it helps with the water intake. Another option may be to find some herbal teas that you like and brew up a bunch the night before, then refrigerate. Just pour it over ice into your bottle and you have a nice flavor. (I also drink herbal teas hot in the mornings, that counts as water, too, but I don't add any sweetener).

Overall, it's really just getting used to it. If you're getting 4-5 now, make it a goal to get 5-6 a day, and start tracking. When 5-6 isn't so hard, go up to 7-8.

Like almost everyone else here on the thread - I carry a water bottle everywhere I go. (It's beside me at the moment, in fact.) I try to fill it up four times a day (I'm not sure what the conversion to fl oz is - that's 4 litres a day). It got a bit of getting used to in the first place, but now I wouldn't be without it.

I have always hated water. I didnt see the point of it when I could have soft drink (um, hello size 14, where did you come from?). I buy "sparkling water" (carbonated water or soda water) and add lemon or lime so it tastes less like water and more like a soft drink. Also I've started drinking decaf green tea with mint in the mornings and in between hot sips of green tea I drink ice cold water to stop my mouth from burning and provide a contrast. even cold water with lemon or lime may be beneficial

It must have been amazing watching all those cavemen with their water bottles...

Seriously though, it's sad how easily everyone has fallen for the marketing gimmicks of the bottled water (and water bottle) industry. Drink when you're thirsty, stop when you're not. Everything you drink counts. Food you eat counts also. This obsession with people constantly carrying water with them for fear of dehydration literally came from a Gatorade marketing campaign.

I drink only water with my meals. 16oz each with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and at least 8oz mid-morning and mid-afternoon (with snack.) If I want a different beverage (wine, soda, etc.) I still have to have my water first, and I don't count the other beverage (except unsweetened hot tea) into my water count.

Why does water that has something in it in solution not count as water?

In response to the cavemen didn't have water bottles.

I understand your sentiment however cavemen were not eating processed foods, except maybe the occassional stop at the local fast food drive through.

I think some people need more/less water than others but I also think most people in this country are walking around dehydrated for one reason or another. I would bet that half of the time someone is suffering from headache, fatigue etc. they just need to increase water intake for a few days.

But if you stick to a strict whole foods only diet you may not need so much water. I eat only whole foods. Nothing at all that is processed and I couldn't imagine starting the morning without a pint of water first thing.

As for the original question. at some point I got in the habbit of that pint of water in the morning and now it is second nature. Try a smaller amount to start if that is too drastic for you. Good luck.

It must have been amazing watching all those cavemen with their water bottles...

Seriously though, it's sad how easily everyone has fallen for the marketing gimmicks of the bottled water (and water bottle) industry. Drink when you're thirsty, stop when you're not. Everything you drink counts. Food you eat counts also. This obsession with people constantly carrying water with them for fear of dehydration literally came from a Gatorade marketing campaign.

I don't know how much water cavemen drank. I predict they drank when they were thirsty and had access. I bet they didn't have to watch their sodium levels, nor were they counting calories and macros and weighing and measuring their foods. I'd also venture to say they weren't drinking whey protein drinks in bottles with little metal balls either.

I'll keep drinking my water. Don't know about gatorade. Do know I started with a bike bottle in the early 90s. Been drinking it since, instead of soda as my go to drink.

Help!

My new years resolution is to drink more water. So far I am sucking at it. I don't track it but on average I get in maybe 4-5 glasses a day on a good day.

How do you get down enough water?

Thanks!
Rachael

I just make myself drink water. I have a glass at my desk, I take my 24 ounce water bottle to the gym with me, I have a glass sitting on the counter at all times so I can grab some water.