07 Nov How Much WATER Should You ACTUALLY Drink Per Day andy WHY Do you Need It?

Water consumption is important for every cellular process in your body, including maintenance of metabolism, digestion, and even immune support (among other functions). It also can help you achieve your fat loss goals, since our bodies have difficulty distinguishing feelings of hunger and thirst. You may actually just be THIRSTY when you get those hunger pangs. Try drinking a glass of water, first! If you’re still feeling hungry 20 minutes later, then you probably do need some food, after all.

But how much water is enough water? The old recommendation you may have read or heard was that everyone needed the same eight 8oz. glasses of water. Doesn’t make much sense does it? How can someone who is 100 lbs need the same amount as someone who is 250 lbs? Why should someone who is mostly sedentary have the same amount of water as someone who is very active? Aren’t you needing more water when you’re sweating more on a hot summer day? Is it true that you need water to offset your caffeine and alcohol?

Most recent recommendations say necessary water intake depends largely on your size, activity level, climate, as well as caffeine and alcohol intake. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to drink .5 oz to 1 oz of water per pound of body weight each day! For instance, if you weigh 130lbs, you should aim to consume between 65oz.—130oz. of water each and every day. If you regularly exercise, are on your feet a lot, or live in a warmer climate, you may find that you need the higher end of that threshold. Also, for every drink of caffeine or alcohol you consume, it’s recommended that you have one to two drinks of water to offset the dehydration they can cause.

What is a good indicator of dehydration? Urine color and smell. If your urine is on the darker side, it is likely that you are dehydrated. Clearer and less odorous urine is a good indicator that you are ingesting an adequate amount of water!

How can you increase your water intake and won’t you be in the bathroom all of the time if you do? Two valid questions!

Research shows that drinking from straws increases the amount of liquid you consume. Similarly, a lot of my clients benefit from drinking from a particular cup or refillable water bottle that they love and makes them happy. In my family, I’m notorious for never having enough water bottles. I like to switch them up with different colors according to my mood for the day. The happier I feel with my cute water bottle, the more I drink :).

I also find that knowing how much water I consume by tracking it helps me to take water breaks. Since I know my water bottle is ~25 oz, it helps me to keep track. I like to mark each time I finish a bottle by tracking it on my FitBit (there are lots of free water apps you can put on your phone to do the same – some even prompt you with reminders to drink). This is very helpful for when you’re trying to establish better water drinking habits.

Bathroom breaks to pee more often are common when you first increase your intake, but they tend to even off and normalize after 4-7 days for most people. Try to remember that each time you have to take a bathroom break, you’re getting rid of toxins and doing something healthy for your body. That can help you get over the hump in the first few days when you’re finding yourself constantly running for the bathroom.

Bottom line…you need water! Water can help to reduce chronic pain, keep cravings at bay, improve your skin clarity and brightness, give you more energy, improve your digestion, lead to better/more regular bowel movements (and we know that a good poop is a universal tie that bonds us – ha!), and help to reduce wrinkles!

Drink up and share with me on social media (@bonviehealth) your best tips for getting in your water! I can’t wait to hear from you!