Water is Important
Water makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every part of your body needs water to function properly, and drinking enough water is incredibly important.
But how much water should you really be drinking? The old standard was to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. But, the amount of water your body needs is determined by your lifestyle.
The Institute of Medicine recommends that [tweetthis]men should drink 13 cups (3 liters) of fluids, and women should drink 9 cups (2.2 liters).[/tweetthis] But, depending on how much you work out, and how much water you’ve lost through sweating and other bodily functions, you might need more to stay fully hydrated.
Tips to Make Sure you Get Enough Water
Here are 6 clever ways to get your recommended daily dose of H2O:
Invest in a water bottle you’ll want to use. Get something nice that will last, and options that come in your favorite colors don’t hurt either. If you like your water bottle, you’re more apt to use it.
Go big and set your goals. Opt for a large bottle with clear sides. Find one that will hold your days-worth of water. On the side, mark hourly goals for water intake. Here’s a great example. You’ll always know how much you’ve drank, and the visual guidelines will help you stay on track.
Infuse it with fruit. Adding fresh fruit to your water is a great way to add a boost of healthy flavor. Sure, store-bought flavor packets could work too, but all-natural is the way to be. Plus, coming up with your favorite fruit combinations makes it fun.
Use a straw. You intake more water each time you take a drink when you use a straw than when you’re just sipping. It’s science. There are a lot of water bottle options that come with a straw. Or, really commit and invest in something like this.
Eat something spicy. If you can’t take the heat, reach for some water. Eating spicy foods is a great motivator to drink more H2O. Plus, some studies show that eating the hot stuff can boost your metabolism.
Boost some juice. Mix things up a bit by adding some sparkling water to your favorite juice. Not only is it super tasty, but it can satisfy your sweet tooth, too.
Drink up and stay hydrated. Your body is counting on you, and it really is pretty easy to get your recommended dose of H2O. Stay thirsty my friends.
