Water intake question

[dianet]

I have heard a hundred times that we are supposed to drink AT LEAST 8 glasses of water a day at a minimum, and even more if you workout. All my life I have probably never drank more than 1-2 glasses a day aside from the water I drink during a workout, and have coffee and soda pretty much daily. I am rarely ever thirsty (unless of course I am working out).

Is there anyone else out there like me or am I a weirdo. Also, if you are someone who used to not drink a lot of water but now you do, have you noticed any change in the way you look, feel? I just feel like I am forcing myself to drink water when I drink more than a glass a day.

 

[lov2bfit]

I drink roughly around 140oz of water a day. I didn't used to drink water at all until I got serious about my fitness. Now I have found that the more water I drink the more thirsty I get. It's like the more I put in my body the more my body craves it. And yes, sometimes you do have to force yourself, but I am very strict on my water intake. If I have not been drinking as much as I should in one day I will make myself chug some whether I want it or not. Although, I really don't have to force myself anymore. I enjoy drinking water now. Like I said, my body craves it all day long. I just make sure I always have some with me.

Just try increasing your intake slowly and your body will probably begin to want it more.

Katie

 

[beth6395]

Since my girls were born in 2000 I lived off coca cola hardly any water I quit cold turkey January 1 and strictly drink water Now I do not know if its my workout or the water intake but my cellulite on my bottom and upper rear thigh is gone. I have worked out daily except for 2 days since then.

beth6395

 

[candi]

I drink a quart of water with my 5:30 am workouts and hardly any the rest of the day. I am lax in that department. But at least it helped to make the water in the a.m. a habit. I also noticed my skin wasn't as dry this winter.

 

[kathryn]

We also get fluids from our foods: things like the broth in soups, non-caffeinated beverages (though some now say the dehydrating effects of caffeine are not substantial enough to count against caffeinated beverages), 'juicy' veggies like lettuces, cucumbers, etc. and fruits. I think the more 'watery' fresh fruits and veggies you eat, the less extra water you need.

I think the '8 glasses a day" guideline was probably set up for those who eat a standard American diet (high in processed foods, which are very dry, breads, cakes, cookies and other very 'dry' foods).

I think that going by the color of your urine is a good guide. It should be light lemonade color or lighter. If it's darker, you could be dehydrated (or, taking a supplement with some B vitamins that can turn the urine yellow because they are not being assimilated).

 

[naughtoj]

It is very true that the more water you drink, the thirstier you tend to be. I drink tons of water and my mouth gets that dry feeling after about 15 min. with no water!!!

I would absolutely die if I only drank 2 glasses per day!!!

 

[dlavie]

If you drink too much water too quickly you will suffer "water intoxification", a dangerous condition where your blood thins and loses electrolytes. The brain will swell, coma and death may occur.

More people have died of this condition than dehydration at the endurance events like marathons. With dehydration they give you an IV, with intoxification there's not a whole lot they can do.

I sometimes go on long hikes my rule of thumb is if my urine is clear then my fluids are adequate. If it gets dark yellow then it's time to get a little fluid.

Dave