water, water water

It is very possible to drink too much water.You can make yourself sick from drinking to much .My doctor says a gallon of water a day is sufficient ,He says you can overdo water which I was unaware of.Just drink what you need and don't force it down.Your body will let you know when you have had enough mine always does.

I believe the term my doctor used was water intoxication.It can make you feel sick to the point you want to throw up.This is a brief description.When too much water enters the body's cells, the tissues swell with the excess fluid. Your cells maintain a specific concentration gradient, so excess water outside the cells (the serum) draws sodium from within the cells out into the serum in an attempt to re-establish the necessary concentration. As more water accumulates, the serum sodium concentration drops -- a condition known as hyponatremia. The other way cells try to regain the electrolyte balance is for water outside the cells to rush into the cells via osmosis. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration is called osmosis. Although electrolytes are more concentrated inside the cells than outside, the water outside the cells is 'more concentrated' or 'less dilute' since it contains fewer electrolytes. Both electrolytes and water move across the cell membrane in an effort to balance concentration. Theoretically, cells could swell to the point of bursting.

From the cell's point of view, water intoxication produces the same effects as would result from drowning in fresh water. Electrolyte imbalance and tissue swelling can cause an irregular heartbeat, allow fluid to enter the lungs, and may cause fluttering eyelids. Swelling puts pressure on the brain and nerves, which can cause behaviors resembling alcohol intoxication. Swelling of brain tissues can cause seizures, coma and ultimately death unless water intake is restricted and a hypertonic saline (salt) solution is administered. If treatment is given before tissue swelling causes too much cellular damage, then a complete recovery can be expected within a few days.

I have just started to dig in and take this dieting seriously. Therefore I have been doing the water water water thing. but I have to say, I feel so bloated and uncomfortable. So what am I doing wrong?

Drink the amount that is comfortable to you somedays I drink 5 glasses other days 10...Just dont fill in the drinking with things like soda and juice.....If you force it you will hate it you may want to invest in those mini water bottles they are like 8oz and a lot easier to look at than a full 16oz......