Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Works for me Wednesday - drinking water

We all know that we need to drink more water but it can be really difficult at times, especially when it's cold (like it is here in SA now).

But why should you drink water anyway?

  1. Clearer, more moisturised skin
  2. More energy and vitality
  3. Cleans impurities from our systems
  4. Flushing out of fatty acids (essential for any weight loss programme). We also tend to mistake hunger for thirst!
  5. Proper metabolic functioning of body organs and processes
  6. Better brain function
  7. Less headaches
So some of my tips to make drinking water easier:
  1. Make it a goal to drink at least 6 glasses a day, preferably 8. I know 6 is non-negotiable.
  2. Fill a bottle early in the morning and again after lunch, and make sure you get through all of it.
  3. Exercise - it will be no problem to drink more when your heart is pumping and you're hot.
  4. Have a glass with breakfast, lunch and supper, and then another glass before you have your tea, coffee or Coke (whatever your drink of choice is).
  5. Have a slice of lemon or orange in your water, if you want to live on the wild side ;)
  6. Drink your water in a glass with a straw. Somehow it makes us think that we're drinking something fun and you'll see how easily you drink your water.

These things must be working for me since I've been drinking 2L water daily since 1998 (it was my goal that year).

How much water do you currently drink daily and what are your tips?

10 comments:

Annie said...

Okay, you are motivating me. I hate water. We have well water and it really is the best tasteless water around right out of the tap... I am going to try the straw method and also having water before allowing myself another beverage.

btw, I posted my quirky personal policies this morning.

Military Mommy said...

Love the one about having a glass before your coffee. That's a great idea. Makes sure you get a nice big glass to start out the day.

I am usually able to get 4-5 glasses a day (my big tumblers are about 16 oz though) so I guess that is actually way more than I need! Yeah!

Sharon said...

Great topic! I'm currently doing Weight Watchers, so drinking water comes even more easily b/c I don't want to drink my points.
For me, I do best w/ bottled water. I don't know why, but drinking out of the bottle goes down best for me.

Also, if I watch tv, I make myself drink each commercial break.
I cary a bottle w/ me when I am in the car. Stop at a light-drink, etc.
I currently DO get about 8 glassses in a day. I enjoy water so it's not that hard for me. Plus Im breastfeeding, so staying hydrated is a must.

Jane said...

I know this sounds weird but I can actually drink more water if it is slightly tepid and not cold cold from the fridge. I guess my teeth are a bit sensitive, but it works for me.

Unknown said...

I actually do your system, but in the place of water is Coke! I have one as soon as I wake up in the morning, one during breakfast, one after breakfast, one with lunch, one after lunch, one with dinner and another right before I go to bed. Of course, if it's a stressful day I'll have one more just to be on the wild side!

Ya...I should probably drink more water.

Kathleen said...

I doubt you do the flylady system but that's our habit this month, to drink more water. I don't usually have too much trouble with it though. I drink about 6 cups a day, sometimes more, sometimes less. I prefer mine ice cold so I keep a jug in the fridge. I like the taste of water so it's not a problem for me.

If you feel hungry, try drinking a cup of water first. Then if you're still hungry eat. Often we are really just thirsty but we think we're hungry so we over eat.

Marcia Francois said...

Oh Callista, I'm, not doing Flylady per se but I do believe in the Flylady concepts totally. She's in my sidebar - very good system. I have control journals for everything too.

Oh Suzanne - you crack me up!

Cherie Nelson said...

I am awful about drinking my water! Hopefully these tips will help me!

Corrie Haffly said...

Funny that I'm coming across this post because I have been EXTREMELY thirsty these past two days. Drinking about 10 glasses of water, and making it a point to get up out of my chair any time I start to feel thirsty as I usually have a tendency to zone out and not move from the computer all day!

When I'm not extremely thirsty, I still try to monitor my water-drinking with a little form I have for my organizer.

Jenny said...

Currently, I'm trying to drink at least 64 oz of water a day, in addition to any other drinks I have. I'd like to drink more like 80 oz, but some days, I feel like I'm floating :) I have to do room temp. water, not cold, so I can guzzle it without hurting my teeth! And it is easier to drink it while practice b'ball these days.
Hope you're doing well. BTW, I've made some progress in the gyn area. Requesting my old records from one doctor, so I can get them to the new one. It's a step in the right direction!

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