Now that the weather is warming up significantly it’s important to ensure you and yours stay adequately hydrated. Did you know that when you feel thirsty it is actually a cue that you’re already dehydrated?
We need even more water than usual when the weather is hot and we’re sweating a lot. Check out the information below to determine if you’re getting enough water. I’ve even included some tips for those of you who “hate to drink water” to help you stay hydrated during the summer months.
How Much Water Should I Drink?
Drink between 64 ounces and 0.67% of your body weight
- For example, if your body weight is 150 pounds, then you need to drink anywhere between 64 ounces and 100 ounces (0.67% x 150) of water per day
- Another, simpler way to figure out how much water to drink is to halve your weight and drink that number in ounces of water. So, a person weighing 150 pounds (you have to convert to pounds if you think in kilograms), divide that by two and it’s 75 pounds. Think of the number in terms of ounces, i.e. 75 ounces of water, and you have just over nine cups of water per day.
The amount of water you’ll drink depends on:
- How much water you normally drink
- Your level of activity (how much you sweat )
- How much caffeine or alcohol you drink daily. Both caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating, so be sure you go “1-for-1”
- The temperature where you live. Really hot summers require more water
You can tell that you’re drinking enough water when:
- Urine is on the light side. If the urine is dark and there’s not much of it, then you’re likely not drinking enough water
- Urine is abundant
- You have to empty your bladder about every two or three hours. If you’re going constantly, you could be drinking too much water
NOTE: When you when you first start to increase water consumption, you WILL be in the bathroom more often than you’re used to, but that will only last a few days and then the body will adjust
How To Drink Water When You Don’t Like The Taste Of Water
- Add slices of lemon, lime, cucumber or orange to water
- Add mint leaves to water
- Add your favorite flavor Emergency-C to water for sparkle and taste
- Drink your favorite flavor herbal tea, iced or hot
- Use a fabulous drinking glass or goblet!
- Heat water and drink with lemon
Bonus “How To” Tips for Water
- Drink 20 oz (1-2 glasses) of water first thing in the morning. You’ve been asleep for 6 to 10 hours, so it’s time to hydrate!
- This can even replace morning coffee, as rehydrating the body and brain will lead to clearer thinking and better energy
- Keep a lovely pitcher of filtered water in your fridge at home or near your workspace with the amount of water you want to drink each day. This makes it easy to remember to drink water and to track your intake
- Drink a 8 oz of water before exercise
- Sip water during exercise
- Bottles, bottles everywhere! Keep glass bottles of water in your car, at the office, or around your work areas
- If you can’t access a filter for your water, then let drinking water stand at room temp for an hour or more. This reduces the amount of chlorine in drinking water, as the chlorine will evaporate
- If you have digestive challenges, drink most of your water between meals
- You can add Trace Minerals, Celtic Sea Salt or Green Powder