How do you drink so much water??

[Stepharoonie!]

All of my life, I haven't been much of a water--or any liquid--drinker. A lot of it stems from the fact that my parents wouldn't let me "fill up" on drinks before we ate, or before bed. I've actually gotten into the habit of drinking maybe ONE beverage for the entire day. I really want to get into a better routine of drinking more water, but after I drink just one glass, I don't want anymore. I couldn't fathom the idea of juice or diet soda, either.

Anyone have any tips on helping me out with this? I know it'll help my skin appearance and possibly help with losing weight since I'll be drinking more instead of eating more.

 

[Pop Daddy]

all my life I drank about a glass a year, I now drink 100 o/z a day, force yourself to be on a shecdual and start a work out, after a few mo, its a habbit













long post

 

[AccidentalRepublican]

Maybe keeping a "cold one" nearby at all times and just sipping? I think it's the temperature that helps you burn calories (i.e., it has to be cold to induce the body to expend calories to get your core temp back up), but I don't know. Anyone, anyone, Bueller?

Anyway, in the Navy, they always stressed the color of your urine. The more color, the more dehydrated...

 

[Dan Murphy]

For the past year, I have been buying the Ice Mountain water at Sam's Club, inexpensive. 28 24 oz bottles with a 'sport top' (like a nozzle) One bottle is equal to 3 8 oz glasses. I just carry one with most places, always have a cae in the car trunk. I usually dring 3 bottles a day, so like 9 glasses. I never used to drink water either.

 

[Amberle3]

For a long time I didn't drink much either. But you just learn to do it.

I've discovered that since I've been drinking more water, I really notice the difference when I don't get to drink enough. I get tired more easily, and have more headaches.

My tip for drinking more water: Make yourself a little water ruler. Use some stiff paper/cardboard, write the numbers 0-whatever on it (mine goes to 8) and attach a paperclip. Each morning it starts out at 0, and then for each glass of water I have I move the paperclip up one. I find it helps me keep track of how many glasses I've had (otherwise I never remember).

As for getting used to all the liquid - after about a week your body settles in to it. For the first week or so you definitely operate on WIWO. (Water In, Water out!)

 

[luvdisney81]

I don't like water, never a big fan but I force myself. My weakest point, restaurants, and I eat out a lot. So I put Splenda in it, that way it is sweet and I like sweet stuff! Splenda isn't so bad for you and it tastes the same.

Otherwise, ice cold water is the best. It is better than the lukewarm crap and does help burn calories more. My friend carries around a 64oz jug, looks like a mini water cooler jug. If she doesn't finish it by the end of dinner, no desert. It has helped her.

 

[ladycollector]

I have a problem just the opposite. I love liquids. I have been known to drink 3-4 glasses of "whatever" during breakfast, lunch or dinner. And 2-3 glasses during the day. I drink lots of coke, pepsi, apple juice, milk, those kind of things. I need to drink more water. I find that I don't want as much to drink when I drink water, and the food doesn't taste as good, LOL! So I'm right there with ya gal!

To answer your question, I would force yourself to drink it as much as possible. I can't hurt you. That is what I have been doing. Sometimes I will try to finish a glass of water in a certain amount of time. Good Luck!

 

[ksjayhawks]

My friends and I have the half gallon containers that we fill with ice and water in the morning. We keep it with us during the day. It stays nice and cold. Drink one container during the day and sometimes refill it. Took awhile to get used to drinking that much, but agree with amberle3 about what happens when you don't drink enough!

also, when we eat out we order water 95% of the time. That's another good way to get the water in.

 

[pixie3]

what about crystal light

 

[elemusing]

Dan, I do the same thing! I have been working out and dieting since June. I make it a goal to drink at least 10 eight ounces a day. So I buy the 24 oz. sport top and drink 1 then fill it up twice a day. Then, don't laugh, I actually pour a measuring cup of water and down it to get the last one in.

If I reach my goal, then I can have my coveted diet Dr. Pepper at night. It is my little reward.

And by the way, it is very easy to down one of those 24 oz. at an hour kickboxing class. Sometimes going to class is my motivation for getting to get one of those down. ha ha

By the way - I have heard that drinking cold water does burn more calories as a previous poster said. Your body warms it up and has to work harder to do so. But I always drink it room temp from my years as a voice major in college. oh well.

 

[CEDmom]

I drink at least a gallon a day. I find the easiest way is to just chug it at room tempature out of the container it comes in. It's not very lady like I know but it is a good upperbody workout just lifting the thing . When I'm at work, at the gym or out somewhere I use a 20 oz sports bottle instead. I find it harder to drink it chilled because it makes me so darn cold and actually a little sick feeling. When you first start drinking a lot be prepared to need to use the bathroom frequently but your body will adjust after a week or so. I've tried using crystal light or even a little gatorade powder but actually couldn't drink as much with those as I could with it just plain. I don't drink tap water.

With your job I'd recommend starting slowly because I doubt you can just run off to the bathroom every 10 minutes. Good luck.

 

[Christine]

Stepharoonie,
I'm just like you. All my life, I've just never been much of a liquid drinker and I cannot do it. It really has nothing to do with taste at all (I've noticed some people here recommending sweetening the water). This would not help me. Usually, I will have a cup of tea in the morning. MAYBE I'll will have about 4 ounces of liquid at lunch, and another 6-8 ounces at dinner. Doesn't matter if it is Coke, juice, water, I only ever drink enough to wet my mouth and help me to eat.

I have tried several times to "retrain" myself and it just NEVER works. After I drink one of those 8 or 16 oz bottles of water, I just feel miserable and then there's the constant bathroom trips after that. I am never even able to finish a full can of soda. And, as you can imagine, I've never been able to be a true beer drinker. I feel so full after one, that I couldn't imagine having four or five.

But I know lots of people who have always been "liquid" junkies. They walk around with water, coffee, or soda ALL DAY. They also are able to drink lots of beer.

 

[SoonerKate]

I carry around one of those big nalgene bottles. It's either in my hand or clipped to my backpack, and I just drink out of it all day.

I'm not really a big (water ) drinker, but the thought of that heavy bottle getting lighter so it's not a pain to carry around certainly helps.

 

[Fire14]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
For the past year, I have been buying the Ice Mountain water at Sam's Club, inexpensive. 28 24 oz bottles with a 'sport top' (like a nozzle) One bottle is equal to 3 8 oz glasses. I just carry one with most places, always have a cae in the car trunk. I usually dring 3 bottles a day, so like 9 glasses. I never used to drink water either.

Ilove ice mountain water with sports tops. It's my road travel water. I take one or two with me when i travel home to MI and once at parents I just fill up with tap water and put in freezer for trip home again.

 

[lilpritch04]

It was a challenge for me to start drinking water a few years ago. I never drank much liquid either. For me, I made it into a personal competition--how much water could I drink in a day?? I wanted to best myself each day. I'm up to about a gallon a day--more if I work out. I have a liter bottle at work that I fill up about 3 times a day. It's easy for me at work--I just keep it at my desk and take a swig every few minutes, at the completion of a task or phone call. (or at the end of a typed sentence like right now). In the evenings I generally have Crystal Light just for the flavor.

If you really want to increase the amount of water you drink, you just have to force yourself to do it. For anything new that you introduce into your life, I've heard that it takes 3 weeks to really make it part of your routine. So, maybe just start with a 24oz bottle (I love the Rubbermade jugs in all sizes!) and make it your goal to finish that. After a few successes, up the ante.

Well, I'm off to refill!

 

[nativetxn]

I keep a 20 ounce bottle of water next to my computer and sip on it as I DIS. Then I take the empty and refill it from my water cooler and repeat 7 more times. At the end of the day I throw the bottle away.

I just sip on water all day

 

[Micca]

I'm a heavy drinker I will drink large quantities of anything set in front of me. At restaurants servers are always making comments about bringing refills of water and iced tea. And yes I can drink lots of beer I'm munching on crushed ice right now.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by SoonerKate
I carry around one of those big nalgene bottles. It's either in my hand or clipped to my backpack, and I just drink out of it all day.

I also drink out of a wide mouth nalgene bottle ... It's easy to add ice to and easy to drink out of. I also have a little insert that keeps it from overflowing when I drink out of it. Three of those and I get my 100 oz in. Good thing I *like* water .

 

[mtemm]

I'm a huge water drinker. my best tip is to keep a bottle/glass with you at all times. You'd be amazed at how much you can drink if it is at your fingertips. little sips here and there add up quickly!

 

[Disney Princess 6]

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