10-29-2009, 10:15 AM     #1 

Hey all- so I've started trying to up my water intake on a daily basis. I'm still nowhere near the recommended 8 glasses but i's better than what I used to have (hardly any).

It's gotten easier since I started working out b/c I'm drinking more water. At work I usually just have a glass of tap water and at home I mix it up a bit and drink water and Crystal Light lemonade. Yum!

Here are some good facts I found on the Crystal Light site about the importance of hydration:
- Hydration plays a critical role in maintaing a normal body temperature.
- Hydration improves digestion.
- Hydration lubricates joints and tissues.
- Hydration aids in the elimination of waste and toxins from the body.
- Hydration assists with the movement of nutrients through the entire body.

Do any of y'all drink the 8 glasses of water a day? If so, do you have any secrets or tips to increasing water intake?

10-29-2009, 06:16 PM     #2 

I follow the Weight Watchers program and we are encouraged to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. I have no problem doing that if I make sure that before each meal I have 1 glass. That takes care of 3 glasses for the day. Then I really only need to work in 3-5 glasses. Lately, I was actually going over and I ran into a serious problem. I ended up in the hospital last week - get this - dehydrated. I am on a water pill for edema and it was pulling out the potassium. It was also making me very thirsty. Then I had a day with dental surgery and didn't drink my water and ended up dehydrated. It was not pretty!

So my doctor told me today no more than 6 glasses a day! Try doing 1 glass before each meal, and then work from there. You should be fine.

Good luck!

Pam

10-29-2009, 07:48 PM     #3 

I drink 8 glasses or more of water a day. I've been doing it for so long it's second nature.

There are lots of tricks, but I fill either a 20oz or 32oz water bottle, sip on it until it is gone...refill it and repeat until I don't want any more water for that day. I've been drinking water for so long now I can tell when my body has had enough...or has had too little. Although I don't really measure anymore, I used to know that I should fill my 32 oz bottle at least twice a day or the 20oz bottle at least 3 times.

One of the problems people have with drinking water is they think a glass of water is atumbler and end up trying to drink 8 12oz glasses instead of 8 8oz servings.

Flavorings help, although I try to stay away from anything with sweeteners (real or artificial). Sometimes I add lemon or lime to my water. Although fresh is better, I buy the bottled stuff for convienience.

Take care

11-06-2009, 07:49 AM     #4 

Thanks for the great tips- so far I've been able to drink 5 glasses without getting to full or "sloshy".

I agree that adding something with too much sweeteners to your water sometimes defeats the purpose. One thing I really like about the crystal light is that it is sugar-free and only 5 calories.

Happy Friday!

11-06-2009, 04:22 PM     #5 

I have found some lemon packets that work well for me. I usually add one lemon packet and one sweet and low. I tend to drink more water when I have some flavor in there.

11-09-2009, 08:55 AM     #6 

Me too! I read that women who add a flavor to their water (like Crystal Light for me- lemon packs for you, etc.) actually drink 20% more water than other women!

I'm all about tracking my progress and keeping myself accountable for things- I added a crystal light "water tracker" to my iGoogle page so I can check off when I have a water. It tells me how I'm doing with my daily water intake and if I'm meeting my goals. Pretty cool- thought I'd share.

11-09-2009, 06:53 PM     #7 

I find it easier for me to drink and least half of daily water intake before I go to work. It is easier for to keep track of and I can control how much I take in easier at home.

Sheryl

11-16-2009, 02:47 PM     #8 

Sheryl I'm impressed girl. I'm on glass #3 right now. I'll prob have one more before I leave work b/c reading this thread is making me thirsty, lol. I'm no longer "in the red" on my crystal light water tracker though, hooray!