Too Much Water?

And I'm not saying that your plan of 2 gallons a day is too much. Just that it's not always necessary to have more.

I drink six cups of water a day depending on what else I am drinking and eating.

I sweat a lot...a LOT. I drink about 4 liters/day. In the summer, I find that I have to drink 5-6 liters depending on how much time I spend outside. This is coming from someone who does drink a lot of water: 7 liters is almost definitely too much for a normal person. If you want to be consistent about drinking enough water, here's what I do: I have three 1 liter jugs. I fill them and put in the fridge overnight; I have nice COLD water ready to go for the day.

Good luck finding the right balance of water for your body. We're all a bit different so the amount of water I need will vary from yours. Just remember to eat a banana! Good luck!

joshuakcaron wrote: »

I've been reading online you can drink too much water. I want to reach 7 L (2 gallons) today. Is that going to kill me if I drink that much once? I'm just trying to get into the habit of drinking more water. Figured if I start out high and slowly cut it will become super easy.

Yes there is such a thing as drinking too much water. In a sudden and quick burst of drinking water ( and we're talking a LOT of water in a rapid quick time frame) can overload your body and your body won't be able to excrete the fluid as fast as it's coming in and also throws off your electrolyte balance. - rare, but can happen.
http://www.healthline.com/health/overhydration#Overview1

Usually this comes in handy. If your urine color falls between 1-3, you're pretty well hydrated. 4-8, you probably should increase your fluids. I'm not telling you that you have to look in the toilet before drinking fluids, but it can't hurt as a reference point.

You need to be careful you do not wash out all of your salt. That is what I was told by a Doctor, he also told me that is happens to runners more then anyone else. BUT he did said that it will get rid of wanted salt from your system that you need if you over do it with water. He also said that it takes a lot before it causes problems.

It's starting to get hot where I am and I've been drinking 2-3L of water a day, and I've been in the loo every 20-30 minutes. I can't imagine how much you'll be peeing drinking 7L

I have slowly made water part of my daily routine. I keep three water bottles chilled in the fridge. I drink my first water with my morning vitamin (better on an empty stomach). I make a tea in the morning, then finish another bottle of water, sipping, during the work day. I keep a glass of water (Perrier these days) at my elbow when relaxing in the evening. It all adds up.

It is very hard to over hydrate. If you force yourself and feel nauseous you are going too far. I do feel different when properly hydrated. The feeling is hard to describe. It's like the back of my throat feels....watery instead of slightly parched.

This is a very strange way to instil a habit. It would work better to build up rather than start ridiculously high and then cut back down. Why not just drink when you're thirsty? Your body will tell you if it needs more water.