WaTeR

How to Drink More Water Everyday

Got water?

There are a variety of reasons to drink plenty of water each day. Adequate water intake prevents dehydration, cleans out the body, and promotes healing processes. Substituting water for beverages high in calories can also help control weight. Follow the steps below to make sure you're getting enough of this most basic necessity.

Steps

1. Determine how much water you need. You've probably heard the "8 X 8" (2 L) rule--drink eight 8-ounce (250 ml) glasses of water per day (2 L)--but the amount of water a person needs varies depending on his or her weight and activity level. A better way to determine your specific recommended water intake is to divide your weight (in pounds) by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of water you need each day. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., strive to drink 75 ounces of water daily. Metric people should divide their weight in kilograms by 30 - so somebody weighing 70 kg is going to need 2.3 litres per day. (See warnings below.)
2. Measure your daily intake of water. Do this for a few days. If you find that you're drinking less than the recommended quantity, try some of the following tips.
3. Carry water with you everywhere you go in a bottle or other container. Before long, you'll find yourself reaching for it without a second thought.
4. Keep a glass or cup of water next to you whenever you'll be sitting down for a long time, such as when you're at your desk at work. Drink from it regularly as you're working.
5. Try wearing a digital watch that beeps at the beginning of each hour. Use that as a reminder to pour yourself a glass of water. Vow to drink that water before the next beep. If you drink only one small (6 ounce or 180 ml) cup per hour, you'll have consumed 48 ounces (1.4 L) by the end of an 8-hour workday.
6. Get a water purification system. Purified water tastes very good and may help make drinking water more appealing to you. Be aware, though, that as you grow accustomed to purified water, you may find that tap water leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
7. Add Lemons or Limes to your water, it makes it taste better and makes you want to drink more of it. Be careful not to make it too sour, just a splash or sourness should do the trick.

Tips

• Except in very rare cases, it is not necessary to buy expensive bottled water. Companies that sell water have a financial interest in convincing you that tap water is undesirable. However, if you choose to drink tap water, please be aware of the pollutants and additional chemicals that exist in many tap water sources. Some studies have linked the long-term accumulation of these chemicals in your body to chronic health problems. A simple water filtration system or boiling of the water will help reduce these risks.
• Instead of that Coke, try a glass of water. It may not be as tasty, but it's a lot better for you than drinking almost ten teaspoons (50 ml) of white sugar. It's also considerably cheaper, especially if you drink tap water.
• If you really can't stand the taste of your water, try adding a tiny bit of fruit juice or a squeeze of lemon or lime--just enough to slightly change the taste. Refrigerating your water may also help make it more palatable.
• For a feeling of accomplishment, fill two 32-ounce (1 L) water bottles (or one big 64-ounce (2 L) bottle, as in the full "8x8" (2 L) amount) in the morning and make sure you have consumed the contents of both by the end of the day.
• Drinking a full glass of water first thing in the morning helps wake the body up. So kick-start your day with water!
• Water helps you look good. By flushing out toxins and impurities, water can make your skin clearer, smoother and younger looking.
• Drinking water helps you control hunger. Drink a large glass of ice water 20 minutes before meals. The cold causes your stomach to shrink somewhat, which will make you feel full more rapidly.
• Whether drinking tap or bottled water, do some research on the source. In some places, such as Philadelphia, the tap water actually contains the same electrolytes that are in Gatorade. On the other hand it's also possible that your bottled water may be from a different source than its name suggests. If the bottle says 'Municipal Water Supply' or something to that effect, then the company has simply bottled tap water, and you're probably wasting your money.
• If you find out you have lead plumbing, and water is abundant in your area, let the water run for about thirty seconds before filling your glass. This can reduce the amount of lead--and the bad taste that accompanies it--in the water you drink. If you live in an area with a shortage of water, however, this is probably not a good option.
• To convert the units of measurement in this article to metric units, you can use Google Calculator
• Some nutritionists believe that you should only drink water at least 20 minutes before a meal and 1 hour after, not during or immediately after eating. The theory is that your digestive juices need to remain undiluted in order to properly break down your food for proper nutrient uptake.
• Every time you walk past a water fountain, take a sip or two.
• Gradually increase your daily intake of water by starting with, for example, 1 L. Keep a 1 L bottle of water in the fridge and aim to have it finished by the end of the day. Increase this amount every day.
• Vow to drink only water for a month. Once your body becomes accustomed to it, it will be hard not to drink enough water. Also, by the end of the month water starts to taste delicious...no lie!
• To get the needed 8 oz. (250 ml) glasses of water, say 8, put 8 hair ties or rubber bands on your right hand to represent each glass of water you need. When you drink one of the glasses, switch one rubber band to your left hand. Your goal is to get 8 hair ties on your left hand before the day is up! Or simply start with a 2 L bottle of water and make sure it's empty by the end of the day.
• If you don't like the taste of water try hot water. It's a different taste and it feels good on your throat!
• Try drinking cold water out of a glass instead of a plastic or paper cup. The glass will retain the cold better than other materials and will keep your water crisp and fresh-tasting longer.
• Brita filters work well
• Crystal Light flavours water and has practically no calories or carbs, don't use too much...just a pinch to flavour your water
• Try getting a really fun waterbottle that you enjoy having around, it makes drinking water more fun!
• Also you can try eating saltier foods before having a glass of water, it'll make your mouth a bit drier and you'll feel the need to drink more water.
• Eat ice, it's water and it tastes really good!
• It has recently been proven that tea is as good or even healthier than water and can extend one's life by a few years.

Warnings

• Increasing your water intake may cause you to have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. To avoid this, you may want to stop drinking water a few hours before bedtime--or make sure you visit the toilet before bed!
• While adequate water is essential to health, it is possible to drink too much water or any other beverage, and there has been considerable scientific debate surrounding how much water a person really needs per day. According to Snopes - the Los Angeles Times has reported that "Kidney specialists do agree on one thing, however: that the 8-by-8 (2 L) rule is a gross overestimate of any required minimum. To replace daily losses of water, an average-sized adult with healthy kidneys sitting in a temperate climate needs no more than one liter of fluid...the equivalent of about four 8-ounce (250 ml) glasses. According to most estimates, that's roughly the amount of water most Americans get in solid food. In short, though doctors don't recommend it, many of us could cover our bare-minimum daily water needs without drinking anything during the day."
• Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause serious health problems for some people.
• People with some heart conditions, high blood pressure or swelling of the lower legs (edema) need to avoid excess water. If you have a history of kidney problems, especially if you have had a transplant, consult your doctor before increasing your fluid intakes.
• You shouldn't drink too much water while eating as it waters down your stomach acid and can cause digestion problems.
• If you live in a place with a lot of heat (e.g., the desert), you will have to drink extra water.
• Keep in mind that the eating of ice may break or chip your teeth, and may damage the enamel. (Dentist's Recommendation) Try sucking on ice instead!

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Bottle (Optional)
• Money (If you buy bottled water)