Water intake

8 glasses of water a day is a myth. Might be too little, might be more than you need.
That hydration only comes from water is another myth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4xbbJdqJzS3J32vrYT6nnwq/how-much-water-should-i-be-drinking

@bulgariabody

Everyone has an opinion on this

yes there is an amount of fluid each person needs daily as you lose it in sweat breath urine etc so this is copied and pasted direct from mayo clinic

So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of total beverages a day.

lol which is higher than the 8 glasses a day
what it says about that, is this

What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day?

Everyone has heard the advice, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day." That's about 1.9 liters, which isn't that different from the Institute of Medicine recommendations. Although the "8 by 8" rule isn't supported by hard evidence, it remains popular because it's easy to remember. Just keep in mind that the rule should be reframed as: "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," because all fluids count toward the daily total.

it also depends on where you live is it really hot and humid like where i live in our wet season it's easy to drink 4 liters a day as it just runs straight down your back in sweat LOl !!!

@bulgariabody - welcome

I just started off with setting a target of 1 litre because I wasn't drinking much at all - only 2/3 cups of tea a day.

Once I conquered drinking 1 litre moved myself to 1.5 litres - that's what I'm on now. I'll have a look in a week or two and see if I'm consistently drinking this much and if so I'll up it.

I know all the different guidelines and recommendations are there but for now I'm more about getting into the habit of drinking lots

Phrick wrote: »

yes. All liquids count. Some folks will swoop in and say "oh no it is ONLY PURE WATER, nothing else counts" but the Mayo Clinic (and many other reputable organizations) disagree and I side with them! 8, 8-oz glasses is a totally random and arbitrary number as well; drink to satisfy your thirst, make sure your urine is fairly pale (assuming you don't take a vitamin that will change its color such as b vitamins lol) and don't spend too much thought on it.

^^Agree

Most people get enough water from their food and drink to keep hydrated.
If you are thirsty that is a sign you need to drink. For most people, the 8, 8 fluid ounces is a general guideline, not a carved in stone, minimum amount of water everyone needs. Some need less, some need more. Your body tells you through thirst and urine color.

I agree with what everyone above has said about fluid intake. However, I do" only count the actual water I drink because I'm trying to increase my water intake and this helps me to keep track.

ShrinkinMel wrote: »

I'd say only decaf. Caffeine is known to dehydrate so it can erase some of your fluid intake but for sake of MFP log it and aim to add another cup. Long ago a chiropractor told me for any 8 ounces of caffeinated drink you might require 2 cups to undo it.

I also agree that it can be too little for some and not nearly enough for others. I drink on average 15 cups sometimes more. In summer I will consume a gallon a day it is Arizona desert. lol

Not true about caffeine. In recent years, studies have proven that caffeine does not dehydrate like that. Otherwise people who only drink pop, tea, etc, would die of dehydration.