Not going to stress about 6 cups of water

AriDublyu
AriDublyu Posts: 34
in Food and Nutrition
I cannot get through 8 cups of water per day, so I've set a goal of 6 for most days when I'm moderately active. All my physical symptoms indicate that I'm sufficiently hydrated with 6 cups a day (I know how to tell). I never drink juice or soda. I have an occasional plain seltzer, and a cup or two of tea or coffee each morning.

Thoughts?

Replies

  • fastfoodietofitcutie
    fastfoodietofitcutie Posts: 523 Member
    My doctor has said drink when you are thirsty, there's no reason to force yourself to drink water. BTW, the tea counts as water.
  • LRoslin
    LRoslin Posts: 128
    I count my tea as water--I use a large tea mug that holds more than 8 ounces. I have a 16 oz bottle I refill a couple of times a day, so between that and my morning and afternoon tea I usually get in 6 glasses. I make sure to drink during workouts and count that towards the total, too.

    I do notice a different in my water retention when I don't drink 6 a day, but I also don't fret about it too much.
  • Stripeness
    Stripeness Posts: 511 Member
    You've got it!

    There has NEVER been an actual scientific study showing the usefulness of the omnipresent "8 Glasses of Water". In fact, here's a link to one of the descriptive articles about that myth. It includes a link to the referenced peer-reviewed journal, as well.
    http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/8-glasses-of-water-a-day-an-urban-myth-1.1196386

    Carry on!
  • alexandriax03
    alexandriax03 Posts: 289 Member
    I personally don't understand how it's difficult to drink 8 cups of water a day. I drink 2 gallons with no problem. Just my opinion.
  • Stinkerbelle84
    Stinkerbelle84 Posts: 328
    I could easily go without drinking water at all. I force myself to drink water on most days. I have just recently cut out the flavor packets though. I don't drink a lot of soda, I just don't always get thirsty. My mom is the same way.

    My husband drinks water all day, every day. We are all just different.
  • sashatait
    sashatait Posts: 4
    As Stripeness has stated, there has never been any scientific study showing that a daily intake of 8 glasses or 2 litres or 0.5 gallon of water is required. In fact, most doctors warn against this now as people (especially kids) can suffer from low salt levels if they drink too much water (not salt as in table salt but the salts you need for the body to function properly).

    And yes, tea, coffee, softdrink etc can be considered an alternative to water.

    If you can easily drink 6 glasses a day (including your tea) and not feel thirsty or be rushing to the bathroom too much, then you are doing fine.
  • mungowungo
    mungowungo Posts: 327 Member
    There's a nice article in the British Medical Journal called "Waterlogged" - www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4280 - about water consumption.
  • creativerick
    creativerick Posts: 270 Member
    What's your problem with drinking? Drink before meals. It will make you eat less and allow you to drink more.
  • AriDublyu
    AriDublyu Posts: 34
    I personally don't understand how it's difficult to drink 8 cups of water a day. I drink 2 gallons with no problem. Just my opinion.

    That's exactly it -- I find that everyone's different. In my case, my body is hydrated with much less than that per day.
  • AriDublyu
    AriDublyu Posts: 34
    What's your problem with drinking? Drink before meals. It will make you eat less and allow you to drink more.

    That's a very good tip I've started to follow.
  • AriDublyu
    AriDublyu Posts: 34
    You've got it!

    There has NEVER been an actual scientific study showing the usefulness of the omnipresent "8 Glasses of Water". In fact, here's a link to one of the descriptive articles about that myth. It includes a link to the referenced peer-reviewed journal, as well.
    http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/8-glasses-of-water-a-day-an-urban-myth-1.1196386

    Carry on!

    Most helpful - many thanks!
  • LittleonebeforethethroneofGod
    LittleonebeforethethroneofGod Posts: 154 Member
    I've found that drinking tea is a great way to fulfill the supposedly required 8 glasses of water. It also keeps me from feeling hungry in between meals. Now that I have a Berkey filtering sports bottle that filters water quite nicely, I'm actually not having a problem with at least drinking 6 glasses of water, but I'm having problems trying to hit that 8 glasses of water.

    Thanks for the link showing that it's not scientific. That's very encouraging, I don't feel so bad when I'm logging results at the end of the day and seeing that I'm short on water.
  • RhineDHP
    RhineDHP Posts: 1,025 Member
    It's not that you should drink 8 glasses of water, but that you should ingest 8 glasses of liquid. This includes juice from fruits, broth from soups, etc.
  • olivia_june
    olivia_june Posts: 111 Member
    I bought a Rubbermaid container that holds 8 cups of water (has the measurements on the side (was very cheap too, <$10)), I find that way easier to drink than just refilling a cup, for whatever reason. I usually don't have to think about it...I can drink 2 of those during the day no problem (if I remember ;) sometimes I don't until after supper and then I'm like "oh right..." haha). :)

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