Water, water . . . but how much?

I don’t know about you and where  you live, but where I am it is COLD outside.  In fact, I’m sitting at my desk typing wearing my North Face jacket.  During the winter, or a cold snap, you normally don’t think about talking about water.  Well, that’s just the point.  I find that when the temps begin to drop and the cooler weather sets in folks tend to forget to drink as much water as they should.  In fact, they might not be drinking as much as they should even when it’s warm outside.  

When I begin working with a new client one of the first questions I ask is “How much water do you drink?”  I’m amazed that so many responses are “I don’t know”, “Does it matter?”, “I hate water.” or “Does tea and coffee count?”  Well, yes, it does matter, and no, tea and coffee do not count.  So, here’s a quick tutorial on the why and how much we should be drinking.  I’m hoping you will be motivated to make a change and add water to your daily routine to keep you hydrated, well and energized. (I guess water has been on my brain because I even posted a cool picture on my Marla-Deen-Fit Facebook page yesterday of a gallon jug with lines marked on it showing the times of day and where the water line on the jug should be.  I also make water my thankful thing.)    

First of all, it’s so important to remember that every system in our bodies depends on water.  It flushes out toxins, keeps our skin, muscles, organs and bones nice and moist and also works to carry nutrients to our cells.  It also gives us energy and helps us stay well.  How much water each of us needs on a daily basis depends on a lot of different factors, such as where we live, what we do on a daily basis, how active we are, our body sizes and genders.   I feel like most of us are not drinking enough water to stay hydrated, and are dehydrated even when we don’t realize it.  If one is dehydrated your body is unable to carry out its normal functions.  Even a tiny bit of dehydration can make you feel tired, sluggish or achy.   Sometimes this makes folks think they need to eat something.     This actually makes them hold on to water weight and lose the ability to get toxins and waste out of their bodies.   

If you think you don’t need to read any further and are mighty fine on the water front, I’m going to ask you a personal question.  One good test is to check the color of your urine.  Sorry, but it’s important.  If it is colorless or really light then you are hydrated.  If it looks dark then you know you haven’t had enough water.  

So, how much do you need?

As a rule of thumb I always use this easy trick.  Take your body weight and divide it in half.  Drink that amount in ounces each day.  For example, if you weigh 130 pounds, divide 130 in half and get 65.  So, drink 65 ounces of water a day.  How easy is that?  Go ahead, figure it out.  

It really isn’t that difficult.  I try to drink a glass of water right when I get up in the mornings.  I always have a cup by my bed from the night before so it’s just sitting there waiting on me.  Then I have a couple of favorite water bottles or large insulated cups that tend to become permanent attachments during the rest of the day.  It’s now just part of my routine and habit.  If it isn’t yours yet some pretty smart folks have come up with Apps that actually track your water consumption and give you reminders to drink up.  

This is such an easy way to do something good and healthy for yourself and train those around you to do.  Make it part of your daily routine and it will quickly become a habit.  You’ll see the difference in no time, especially if you are in the habit of drinking coffee and soft drinks all day.  (If that’s the case I didn’t even go into all of the calories you will save!  You’ll easily drop a few pounds just from that one easy change!)

I hope you are getting up right now to go fill a great big water bottle and let it be attached to your hip all day long!  

And, let’s try to have more of this . . .