Drinking water

[Katieinwonderland]

I'm with you OP...I used to be able to go literally two days with maybe one glass of water. I had a Dr tell me I was pretty much constantly dehydrated, and had to find a way to change my drinking habits.

I hate the taste of Florida water (who doesnt?!) so I either drink bottled water (I don't like spring water, I only like Smart Water) or drink water from the filter thing on the door of the refridgerator. I try really hard to drink water with every meal, and glasses in between but it's hard. I love milk, I could drink gallons of that in a day so I figure if I drink as much water as I can and continue to drink milk, I should be hydrated.

 

[Ephany]

I really only like my water cold, even in winter. I'm more likely to drink it if it's right there next to me, but if it gets warm, I'll put it back in the fridge or add ice.

 

[wvjules]

Its not that I don't necessarily like the taste. I literally drink almost nothing. I have 1 or 2 cups of coffee in the am then I can go all day without anything else. On cold nights I will have tea or hot chocolate around 9pm.

Maybe the key is to try that Hint water so I will WANT the flavor of it. (I"ll have to look into the chocolate mint one.)

I, wvjules, do solemly vow to promise to drink more water. I will start tomorrow by drinking 2 of the 16.9oz bottles while at work.

 

[bookgirl]

Get you a cup with a built in straw.

You drink more when you drink from a straw, there was a study but I can tell you it works with me. I keep my bottle with straw next to me all day and anytime I look at it I drink. There is something about drawing in on the straw that you drink more than just sipping from a cup or chugging from a water bottle. With me it's that unscrewing the bottle and tipping my head back took my eyes away from what I was doing, but if I can just pick it up and drink while still reading I tend to do it more often.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I hate drinking water. What I do when I'm at work is fill up a glass or bottle when I first get there and set my cell phone alarm for 10 a.m. I have to drink it by 10 or when the alarm goes off I have to drink the entire thing (if I don't do this I completely forget). Then I refill and have to drink it by lunch (I don't like drinking water even more with food). Then I do this again and have to drink it by the time I leave. I still don't like water but after a few days you don't have to go to the bathroom as often and now I just tolerate it.

I do LOVE the metromint peppermint water . I especially love it ice cold after going to the gym.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I drank more with a pretty new glass or new refillable bottle when I was working. I made myself go get more once it was empty or every hour.

 

[DarthKTrava]

I try to drink plenty of water, mostly at home. At work it's easier to get soda than water. Because with water, I have to get a bigger cup, put ice in it, run the water for a few seconds to get the lemonade taste out (on the same tap as the pink lemonade so a hint of that in the water is NASTY), fill the cup, get a lid and straw and then take back to where I am. I do drink too much soda at work.

 

[manning]

I asked someone once why they drank so much water. He said "wait until you pass a kidney stone then you will understand."

Drinking water reduces the risk.

 

[Trish Bessette]

I buy the Crystal LIght Raspberry Lemonade packets. I only use 1/2 a packet in a 16.9 oz water bottle but let me tell you I LOVE water that way!!! It is the only way for me to do it. I drink at least 4 bottles a day.

 

[Pluto 2]

take your weight divide it by half thats how many ounces you are suppose to drink a day. example you weigh 150 pounds you should drink 75 ounces of water a day. 160 pounds 80 ounces of water a day etc,

 

[C.Ann]

Two years ago I got very, very sick from being dehydrated.. I hated drinking water! But - getting that sick was the best "tip" I ever could have received..

Since then I make sure I drink plenty of water every day (bottled - the tap water here is awful) and have reached a point now where it doesn't even have to be "cold" anymore.. Room temp is fine..

It's certainly not my "favorite" beverage - doesn't even make the Top Ten - but it's a heck of a lot better than being sick and having to waste money on doctor and hospital bills..

 

[sunshine girl]

I think if you don't like drinking water you do need to just force yourself. Like many healthy habits... sometimes you gotta force yourself to get started.

If I didn't drink a good amount of plain, clean water every day, I can't imagine how I'd feel. I don't know how you live without it!!

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[SandrA9810]

You don't really have to drink water... but as long as you're drinking liquids. As you said, you don't drink much at all. It's just sodas and stuff can cause other health issues, and sweetened tea isn't good for you. But it'll still help you stay hydrated.

And stay away from diet drinks. They actually use salt in it and that can take away from your body and make you dehydrated.

Water is the best overall option, but you can go with "other" liquids too. Try drinking fruit juices.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

I also hate drinking water but its becoming a habit since I gave up soda. I used to drink too much soda. It was amazing how much soda.

But I forced myself to give it up. At first I would have hot tea in the am but not so much anymore.

Now its cold water or very watered down juice. I will add a little cranberry juice to my glass and fill the rest with water. It tastes a little better than just plain water but I don't let myself do that all day - only once a day.

The transition has been much easier than I expected. I still let myself have an iced tea or lemonade if we go out but no soda.

 

[malibuconlee]

I've always read you are supposed to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Well how much is that? The best idea of how much water to drink I've ever read is to take your weight in lbs. Divide by half and that is how many oz of water a day you should drink. If you weigh 150 lbs then 75 oz of water.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I asked someone once why they drank so much water. He said "wait until you pass a kidney stone then you will understand."

Drinking water reduces the risk.

That was my experience, I drank water but not nearly enough, then I had a kidney stone last yr, and have been drinking much more water since then.

 

[Sparx]

I realize that I'm probably the only person in the world who thinks that the Brita pitcher (filter) makes my water taste funny.

I have one, my husband uses it and everytime I try I think "Blech" this tastes weird.

is it possible your filter is old?

i love strawberry crystal light, but i always forget to bring it along with me. i usually drink two to three bottles a day. i have a refillable plastic water bottle that i carry with me, and just fill it out of a water fountain or something.

 

[disfan07]

What makes me drink a lot of water is that I dont want to end up back in the hospital dehydrated....again. Ive been in the hospital 6 times in the past 4 years because of dehydration.

Also what keeps me drinking a lot in general is that my veins are shot and I have to get an IV started every other week. After the first couple of ultrasound guided IVs or central lines, you learn that you should drink more.(you'd think I would have learned after the first one but apparently I dont catch on quickly)

If I go more than 3 days not drinking at least 5 bottles of water +lemonade and juices, I being to feel the effects of being dehydrated. But I am on meds that dehydrate me and can damage my kidneys as well as having severe eczema which requires a lot of hydration because my skin is so dry

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

The only thing I find works for me is to keep a bottle (of tap water, I don't drink bottled water) with me all the time throughout the day. Then I just drink it without really thinking about it because it's there. Kind of like how I can eat a whole bag of chips if they're just sitting in front of me and not even realize it, only healthier!

 

[wvjules]

I have my 1pt bottle of Deer Park on my desk. My goal is to finish it by lunch then refill.

I'm going to have to try the straw trick. I do like to chew on straws and toothpicks and coffee stirrers so that might do the trick.

Thanks everyone! I am motivated to drink more water.