Truth is, there's a lot of information out there, so what's the right answer?
I think most of us have heard we should drink 8- 8oz. glasses per day. No matter what the proper amount is, why does it seem so hard for us to drink water everday? Is it because there's so many drink options available to us?
Whatever the case, most of us just don't drink enough water.
In fact, I've had some intereseting conversations with people about water in recent years. "Do you drink water?" I ask. To my surprise a typical response is, "No, I don't like the taste." Or, "I just can't seem to get it down, I don't like water."
Wow. Really?? Even when we know it's the healthier choice, I often hear "Oh, I just can't go a day without my diet coke." One shouldn't replace the other, but no matter what you're drinking, water should be on the list.
We also know that not only is it healthier, we physically need water to survive. Some not so nice things happen to our bodies when we're dehydrated. Take the headache for example. I am surprised at how many people don't realize when they experience a headache, it could be due to not drinking enough water. Same with dry lips or chapped lips, dry skin, lack of energy, etc.
One of my vocations is coaching people in a nutritional replenishing program. I've learned through the program that drinking half your body weight in ounces per day is the proper amount of water to be drinking. So if you weigh 150 lbs., you should be drinking 75 oz. of water, 300 lbs. 150 oz. of water, etc.
I often hear that is a lot of water to be drinking a day, but I can attest to the fact that the body does adjust to the amount of water. The body does start to absorb and use all the water in a matter of days. And let's face it, the healthier you are, the better your body functions. Since the body is made up of 70% water, it only makes sense that it would function better with water.
And yet........ I will sometimes go through an entire day and catch myself. "Have I had any water yet today?" I do carry around my own 32 oz. water bottle everyday, but I'm not the only one who drinks out of it. It seems to serve as a constant reminder to my kids that they need a little drink of water. Yes, even when they have their OWN water bottles, there seems to be something attractive about mine. (but hey, they're drinking water!)
Drinking water is the most important thing you can do to improve your health, and the benefits are endless (see below). It's also the easiest and cheapest thing you can do.
So, next time you reach for that sugary drink, caffeinated drink, or carbonated drink.....think about drinking some water. Your body will thank you for it!!
By the way, how much water have you had today??
