Improving Hydration

I am really bad about drinking enough water each day. I probably only drink about 3 cups of water. I know I should be drinking 8 cups every day, but I find it very challenging. Looking back, I have had a history of dehydration that should have prompted me to be better about my drinking habits.

When warm weather hits, I usually find myself low on energy, getting tired more easily, and feeling lightheaded very often. And when I was pregnant I was severely dehydrated, ending up on an IV at urgent care on Christmas Day! For months during my pregnancy my doctors didn't seem too concerned about my hydration since I wasn't vomiting. I am guessing they were assuming, due to my nutrition background, that I was drinking plenty of water (but I wasn't). Finally when my symptoms during pregnancy got worse the doctor demanded I be drinking 8 cups of water! UGH! I didn't know how I was going to do it. And throughout the rest of my pregnancy I never got to 8 cups - usually 6 on a good day.

After the pregnancy I really pushed myself and got myself to drink 8 cups of water. I really had to focus though. If I got distracted I would lose my focus and forget to drink water continuously through the day. Over time I have slipped back into my old ways.

When I started this challenge I was going to drink 8 cups of water along with burning 3500 calories each day. I succeeded for about a week with the water, but then got focused on other more interesting things.

Now that the warm weather is upon us I am going to try to drink more water. I think aiming for 8 cups right now is going to be too hard for me, so I am going to aim for 5 and then work my way up towards 8 slowly! Wish me good luck!

Do you stay well hydrated? What helps you drink more water throughout the day?

Maybe you drink 8 cups of water each day, but you aren't burning 3500 calories each day. Maybe the strategy I am using to get my water intake up, you can use to get your calorie burn up!

Spent 65 minutes on the elliptical again. 700 calories burned! I met my 3500 calorie goal! Still planning on working out during the weekend!