Eight glasses of water every day? No matter
how you pour them, that’s a lot of liquid. We're talking cups and
cups…and cups. Even knowing about the many benefits of meeting your
daily quota—increased fat burning, healthier skin, more energy, better
digestion, fewer cravings—doesn't make drinking it (or dealing with
increased bathroom visits) any less of a struggle for many of us.
If you feel like you're barely treading water when it comes to drinking
your water, don’t despair. There are lots of little secrets—time-honored
tricks that those elusive "water drinkers" use—that even you can try to
transform yourself into an H2O-guzzling machine.
For best results, try the two that Spark your interest immediately, then
add one each week until you’re getting all the water you need. And
remember, there is no magic number. The recommended eight cups a day is
not a one-size fits all. You’ll need more if you’re sweating through workouts; less if you eat a lot of water-rich fruits and vegetables.
1. Try comfort water
This is a great tactic for coffee and tea drinkers. While you’re waiting
for the coffee to brew, nuke a glass of water (or herbal tea), squeeze
in a bit of lemon and sip while you wait. Try another cup of warm water
after you’ve had a mug or two of coffee. Hot water is also a great treat
on a cold afternoon or evening. Invest in a new kind of herbal tea
every time you grocery shop until you’ve found a couple that are just
right.
2. Tag your water bottle
Splurge on the perfect reusable water bottle. Whether it's your favorite
color or a unique design, the more you bond with your bottle, the less
likely you'll be to lose it. Slap an inspirational sticker or image onto
it, or even write on it with a permanent marker. Now you're ready to
drink from it throughout the day—don't forget to refill it as soon as
it's empty.
3. Sip up
Gulping all that water can seem daunting. So get a package of straws to
slowly sip it instead. You can even pick up a water bottle with built-in
straw.
4. Become a connoisseur
Think of water drinking like wine tasting. Taste the various brands and
types of bottled waters available (sparkling, spring, mineral,
vitamin-enhanced, reverse osmosis, filtered, fruit-flavored, etc). Be
sure to read the labels as some "waters" have significantly added
calories. Many bottles of water contain two to three cups of water.
5. Drink water and drive
Keep your water bottle next to you every time you hop into the car, or
buy a package of bottled water to keep in the car. Whenever you're
driving about, your water will be within easy reach from your car's cup
holder. Think about other places you can stash some water bottles (under
your desk, next to the couch, in your purse, and more).
6. Drink your vitamins
Create your own vitamin drink. Consider combining your water with your
vitamin supplements, if you take any. There are several powdered vitamin
supplements that are designed to be mixed with water. Some contain
little to no calories too. If you prefer to take vitamins in tablet
form, then promise yourself to drink at least one whole cup of water
every time you take them.
7. Fill your dinner glass
Set a glass of water at each place setting at the dinner table just like
restaurants do. Don't fret about drinking it all—just place it there.
By sipping water between every few bites, you'll slow you down and enjoy
your meal more, while also meeting your water needs.
8. Filter out
Sometimes tap water just isn't very good. If your well or city water
leaves a bad taste in your mouth, change it. Get a faucet or pitcher
filter to keep out the bad and leave in the good.
9. Pace yourself
Holding (and drinking from) a cup of water will help you pace yourself
at social events, parties and dinners that offer tempting food and
drink. Try drinking a cup of water between bites of the calorie
abomination you're faced with. It is hard to eat an entire piece of cake
if you have to drink a glass of water between every single bite! To
keep the wine, beer, or liquor from ruining your calorie count, drink a
cup of water for every glass of alcohol you consume. (I’m a wine
drinker, so I fill up my wine glass with water every time I empty it of
wine.) Not only does this help to limit your consumption, but it helps
counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects. And when you have a glass in
hand—no matter what's in it—you won't be bombarded with more drink
offers in the meantime.
10. Find watering holes
When out and about, make it a point to stop by drinking fountains, drink
your water when out to lunch while reading the menu, and by all means
if someone offers you a cup of herbal tea, say yes.
11. Combine habits
Get in the habit of drinking a cup of water when you do other things in
your daily routine. Love long baths? Fill your water bottle when filling
the tub. Working out? Keep your bottle beside you. Heading for bed? Set
a glass on the nightstand. Reading by the fire? Always bring a cup of
tea along. Develop water habits that go with your routines.
12. Reward your hard workf
Make a habit of having special water after each workout, for example.
This can be water you gussy up yourself with a slice of lemon or lime, a
fruit-flavored water, or (what I enjoy) a tall sparking mineral water.
Just a couple of these tricks can push you across the eight-cup finish
line fairly painlessly. So raise a glass and tell your metabolism who’s
the boss. Sometimes, simply conquering your water goal is enough to set
you on the right path in even more areas. Cheers!
Cindy Dyson is a novelist, who discovered SparkPeople through her
sister. Although she doesn’t struggle with getting enough water anymore,
several members of her SparkTeam do. She created this list to help
them, but found herself enjoying water more than ever as a result.
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