How much water is too much?

nuckinfutta
nuckinfutta Posts: 5
in Health and Weight Loss
How much water is too much? I drink about 15 cups a day, is this too much? Im currently at 12 cups and its only 230. I just started this online tracking thing. Can anyone advise?
Thanks

Heidi

Replies

  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    You would have to drink a ridiculous amount of water in order for it to harm you. Drink when you are thirsty and drink enough to not be dehydrated per the US military's urine hydration chart. It is the easiest way to tell if you are drinking enough:

    http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/downloads/healthyliv/nutrition/urinekleurenkaart.pdf
  • jennaworksout
    jennaworksout Posts: 1,739 Member
    you take your weight, divide by 2 and thats how many ounces you should drink....that could be alot depending onthe eprons weight I would think....thats what i heard anyways, I drink 64 oz a day , thats pretty much the norm.
  • danibabs
    danibabs Posts: 298 Member
    I get a gallon everyday. During my recovery weeks I push 200 oz a day. I think I've heard your kidneys can process up to quart an hour no problem.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I wouldn't worry about it. You'd probably get to taste some of it twice if you've had too much......this happened to a freind.
  • stephanie1133
    stephanie1133 Posts: 211
    I asked this before on a different site and got some very (what I considered) dramatic answers both ways. :)

    I personally drink a gallon to a gallon and a half of water per day. I workout a lot too though, and I live in Phoenix where it's already getting over 100 degrees. I've been doing this for months, and I feel great.

    I'm certain that it can vary from person to person and I doubt there's an specific answer out there for you as far as the exact amount. My best advice would be to drink the amount you feel you need, don't force it down, but also try not to let yourself get thirsty -- not only for dehydration reasons, but because sometimes thirst and hunger signals can get their wires crossed which can throw a wrench in your day calorie wise if it leads you to overeat.
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    The problem is if you drink a lot way to fast. As long as you keep your electrolytes balanced, you can drink what you want.

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyponatremia/DS00974
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    you take your weight, divide by 2 and thats how many ounces you should drink....that could be alot depending onthe eprons weight I would think....thats what i heard anyways, I drink 64 oz a day , thats pretty much the norm.

    Yeah, I weigh 216, and I can't imagine drinking much more than 64 ounces of water. It would be safe - water intoxication and other problems start at much higher dosages, like 400 ounces or a half-gallon consumed within a half hour after sweating heavily - but my urine color is just fine as it is.
  • jg627
    jg627 Posts: 1,221 Member
    If your speech gets slurred and you feel drunk, call 911. It's pretty hard to do that though... well both, getting water intoxication and calling 911 while you are intoxicated.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    At 185 pounds, I drink about a gallon of water a day. It's not too much for me. In fact, some days it's not enough! A good rule of thumb is to look at your pee. If it's clear or nearly so, you're getting enough water.

    Some people are prone to losing their electrolyte balance when they drink lots of water. Marathons and other long-term type activities where you sweat a lot can also do this. But for most of us, water is great! It takes gallons of water to be harmful for most people.
  • tlcangel97
    tlcangel97 Posts: 13
    I started a new weight loss program about a mouth ago and was told to drink 96oz of water a day. Always drink a glass of water when you wake up and always a glass before each meal.
  • nuckinfutta
    nuckinfutta Posts: 5
    WOW! Thanks everyone for the positive and helpful responses!! My cube mate scared me by saying someone died from drinking too much water! I think i am good though, i just gave up soda, (yay me) so drinking water has helped me cleanse alot of bad stuff i am sure was floating around in my body!

    Thanks again Everyone!
  • SexyCook
    SexyCook Posts: 2,249 Member
    I shoot for minimum of 8 cups...depending on my eating and higher sodium days I go for a GALLON...to flush....
  • nuckinfutta
    nuckinfutta Posts: 5
    Thanks for the link! I am properly hydrated according to the chart, great to know what to look for!!
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    WOW! Thanks everyone for the positive and helpful responses!! My cube mate scared me by saying someone died from drinking too much water! I think i am good though, i just gave up soda, (yay me) so drinking water has helped me cleanse alot of bad stuff i am sure was floating around in my body!

    Thanks again Everyone!

    Someone did, in fact, die from drinking too much water. In fact, it happens all the time. It usually happens to marathon runners and other athletes who sweat a lot, eat very little to nothing, and drink pretty much nothing but pure water. They sweat out all their electrolytes and their bodies shut down. Google "Water Intoxication".

    There was a much-publicized one about a military cadet in Florida who had to run a long time in full battle gear in some ridiculously high temperature. He drank something like a gallon of water all at once. And died. So, yeah, it can happen.

    I've heard that one cited a LOT by cubemates when I'm on my 6th glass of water for the day. Yup, because sitting on my *kitten* in an air-conditioned cube farm drinking a half gallon of water a DAY is at all comparable with sweating for hours in battle dress in 110 degree heat and full sun and drinking a gallon of water in 10 minutes.

    That doesn't mean that an "extra" 50, 100, or even 200 ounces of water a day accompanied with a reasonably-healthy diet and normal exercise is going to kill you. Once you get up around 300 ounces of water a day, you'll probably want to drink a Gatorade from time to time to be on the safe side, though... No sense doing anything CRAZY. :laugh:

    Honestly, you're probably wasting your time drinking much more than 64 ounces. But you're not hurting yourself, and if you enjoy it, DRINK UP! :drinker:

    Congrats on giving up the soda.
  • shbretired
    shbretired Posts: 320 Member
    I drink 1 gallon in the winter, and 2 in the summer. Makes sense to me, as I'm out sweating in the yard with gardening. ☺
  • nuckinfutta
    nuckinfutta Posts: 5
    WOW! Thanks everyone for the positive and helpful responses!! My cube mate scared me by saying someone died from drinking too much water! I think i am good though, i just gave up soda, (yay me) so drinking water has helped me cleanse alot of bad stuff i am sure was floating around in my body!

    Thanks again Everyone!

    Someone did, in fact, die from drinking too much water. In fact, it happens all the time. It usually happens to marathon runners and other athletes who sweat a lot, eat very little to nothing, and drink pretty much nothing but pure water. They sweat out all their electrolytes and their bodies shut down. Google "Water Intoxication".

    There was a much-publicized one about a military cadet in Florida who had to run a long time in full battle gear in some ridiculously high temperature. He drank something like a gallon of water all at once. And died. So, yeah, it can happen.

    I've heard that one cited a LOT by cubemates when I'm on my 6th glass of water for the day. Yup, because sitting on my *kitten* in an air-conditioned cube farm drinking a half gallon of water a DAY is at all comparable with sweating for hours in battle dress in 110 degree heat and full sun and drinking a gallon of water in 10 minutes.

    That doesn't mean that an "extra" 50, 100, or even 200 ounces of water a day accompanied with a reasonably-healthy diet and normal exercise is going to kill you. Once you get up around 300 ounces of water a day, you'll probably want to drink a Gatorade from time to time to be on the safe side, though... No sense doing anything CRAZY. :laugh:

    Honestly, you're probably wasting your time drinking much more than 64 ounces. But you're not hurting yourself, and if you enjoy it, DRINK UP! :drinker:

    Congrats on giving up the soda.

    Thanks for the info fellow cubie!! I do enjoy it, i feel way better for it too, small ways...like i dont feel as tired, and my feet havent swollen up at night. Ya know, the small things!!!

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