Is water intake that important? How do I increase it?

I know how you feel, I used to hardly drink any water at all.

Once I started using MFP, I started upping my water intake, taking a drink whenever I thought about it. I find it easier to sleep throughout the night, I have reduced photosensitivity, I have fewer migranes and cramps, and my body has actually lost weight because too little water in your system encourages water retention (fake weight on the scale) and also a buildup of toxins in the body.

If your urine is anything BUT clear, then drink more water. That's a good indicator, since if your urine is clear, then your body is in balance and easily flushing itself out of unwanted impurities.

Write something on your hand and whenever you notice it, take a drink of water. (If you need to.)

Regardless, always drink at least one bottle of water per 45 minutes of mild exercise.

I stay fuller when i drink water i got into the habit of grabbing a glass of water rather than coke or juice if you think its plain try crystal light its only 5 calories per serving and really refreshing

I'm not much of a water drinker either, but no that it's vital to good health and weight loss. I actually don't like it cold, I like it room temp and I have to chug the whole glass at once. I can't sip it. I found "True Lemon" at my super Walmart. Its packets in a box (10 packets in a box for $2.50). I tried the raspberry lemondae flavor. It only has stevia in it for sweetening. No aspartame or Splenda which are BAD for you. My only recommendation would be to use a little bit less water than they call for in a packet. The 16 oz to a packet makes it a little bland. Using 12-14 oz water gives it a better/stronger taste.

It will actually help you lose weight because your body will stop retaining as much water. The first few days, you will pee A LOT, but then it will cut back to a more normal level. Unless you currently don't go that much, then it will definitely increase.

My grandma used to have issues drinking enough water, and then we started pulling out 4 bottles of water each morning before we left for work. She made a bit of a challenge out of it for herself by trying to drink all of them each day.

Also, once you get used to it, you'll miss it when you don't do it.

Our bodies will tell us when we need water - it's called thirst.

Does it hurt to drink more water? Not unless you drink large amounts of water (Google it).

Personally, I don't drink much water because I get a lot of water in my diet (salads) and I also drink coffee and iced tea.

Is drinking water popular — no doubt!

But is it necessary for you to drink "8 cups a day"? Probably not.

Here's a link to the only medically researched article I have ever seen here on MFP:

http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full

From the first para:
"Despite the seemingly ubiquitous admonition to “drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water a day” (with an accompanying reminder that beverages containing caffeine and alcohol do not count), rigorous proof for this counsel appears to be lacking."

This article has 100 footnotes to other medical sources and was written by an MD on the staff at Dartmouth who happens to have written a book on how the kidneys function.

While I don't see a need to drink 8 glasses of water a day, there is no question that it helps people lose weight. The most common reason cited for that is that if your stomach is full of water, you are more likely to eat less food than if it is not full of water. That can be very helpful to some folks and, since it's cheap and harmless, that can be "a good thing".

In terms of "do I need to", I've never been able to find a reason to drink that much water…unless it's made safe by adding bourbon or scotch, of course! :-)

I have a 1 liter water bottle (4 servings of water). I fill it up in the morning, keep it close by, and refill it throught the day so I drink a full one in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
I onced learned that the liver has 2 jobs - burning excess fat and helping the kidneys. If you don't drink enough water for the kidneys to run at 100% then the liver has to help and cannot work at 100% on burning fat.
Also, for every 1/2 hour you workout, you should add another 8 ounces to your total water intake.
Good luck,
Jill
SW186
CW179
GW150

I think there are a variety of opinions out there, but I don't personally agree that coffee or tea is a good substitute to gain your hydration from. Coffee, as a matter of fact, is a contributing factor of dehydration. In moderation, fine, but as a hydration option, not so much. Again, in my opinion (I'm certainly not a Dr. or scientist, nor claiming to be).

Sticking to regular water, added lemon wedge if in need of flavor, is best.

As soon as I upped my water intake, my skin got better, and my weight loss increased. So, it helps.

I get one cup taking my calcium/vitamin D pill. Then, when I go for my walks, when I get to the halfway point, I drink half my bottle (1 cup) and when I get done, another cup. There's 3. Then, with lunch, at least one cup, and with dinner, at least one cup. There's 5. Cups 6, 7 and 8 happen randomly throughout the day - at work, after dinner, after I get home from my walk, etc.

I have always hated drinking water and had effectively lost about 30 lbs without it. I recently have started drinking 8-12 cups of water per day and I see a huge difference in how I feel. At first you pee alot but that slacks off after awhile. When I wake up in the morning now I have to drink a bottle of water before I have my first cup of coffee. I'm more of a water gulper than a sipper and find I can drink bottled water a little better than a cup. Try upping your intake by a cup a day and I promise you will see a difference and probably be less hungry.