8 Ways to Drinking 8 - 8oz. Cups of Water

The familiar recommendation one for all and all for one of drinking 8, 8 oz. cups of water a day is a thing of the past.  The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans do not include a specific quantity of water to drink.  What the Guidelines specifically state is that "healthy individuals, in general, have an adequate total water intake to meet their needs when they have regular access to drinking water and other beverages. The combination of thirst and typical behaviors, such as drinking beverages with meals, provides sufficient total water intake.” They also state, “Contrary to popular belief, there is no official scientifically-based recommendation to ‘drink 8 glasses of water per day’.”  So, if you are "in general" a "healthy individual" and you have "access to drinking water", the amount of water you need depends on several factors, including but not limited to the climate you live in, your muscle mass and your physical activities.  

All of that aside, if you are trying to lose weight, or want to feel healthier, or wanting to drink less of something else and replace it with water, I am the biggest fan of drinking those 8, 8 oz. cups of water which equates to 64 oz. or ½ gallon of water per day.  

Think of it another way.  You are made of at least 60% water.  Every system in your body depends on it.  Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides moisture to tissues.  It helps your bodily functions, keeps fatigue at bay and can help control your weight.  At the very least, we can all agree that water is important and vital.  

So, let’s make this fun and achievable.  Throw out your list of reasons why you do not drink more water and consider the following 8 ideas as possibilities that might work for you.  Keep in mind that you are successful if you drink more water today than you did yesterday.  You have to start somewhere!  

8 Ways to Drinking 8 - 8 oz. Cups of Water

1. Chug a glass as soon as you wake up (I do this (chug), and yes, I know, I am weird…) or before you leave the house (1 down…or maybe 2!)
2. Fill up your reusable water bottles the night before for the following day
3. Have a special cup on your desk at work that helps you keep track of your water intake
4. Put your water bottles by your front door so you do not forget them
5. Have lemons, limes or oranges sliced and refrigerated so you can add fresh citrus flavor to your water, add a splash of juice to your water, or make juice ice cubes to add to your water
6. Tell your spouse to prove his love to you by filling up your water bottles (This one should work! Classy manipulation…that is true love!)
7. Pack your one-minute cooler with an ice pack and water bottles
8. Drink an 8 oz. cup of water 30 minutes before each meal

Your ultimate goal is to drink more of what you are made of.  Drinking one more glass of water today than you did yesterday is a celebration!  If it displaces the more caloric drinks in your diet, then you get the double bonus.  Which one or more of these 8 will work for you?   

Health Inspires.

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