May 6 2012
How Much Water Do You Drink Each Day?
Staying hydrated is a super important part of being healthy!
Find out why I personally drink 2 gallons of water each day, how I do it, and let it help you decide how much water you should be drinking each day!
2 gallons? Really? Yes. Really.
Does is bloat me? No. It does the exact opposite of bloating me.
Does it make me go to the bathroom a lot? Yes.
If you’re really concerned about that, change your perspective. Think of it as additional cardio when you run to the bathroom and think of it as a little leg exercise as you hold a squat over the toilet.
Seriously though, you do have to be prepared to go to the bathroom more often.
Don’t think of it as an inconvenience. Think of it as a good reason to get up and move a little. When you make a decision to change your life, staying hydrated is a really important part of that.
Feeling thirsty yet? Drink up!
Make a decision to change your life. One workout at a time. One meal at a time. One sip at a time.
xoxo ~ Cori
How Much Water Do You Drink Each Day?
How Much Water Do You Drink Each Day?
Here’s the deal. When you are properly hydrated, your blood volume goes up to the proper level. That means you have more blood to transport all the nutrients your cells need. Your cells aren’t starving. All of the great food you’re eating is actually making it’s way to your cells. That’s the point, isn’t it?
Drinking enough water allows your body to thrive because the increased blood volume pumps your cells up with all the benefits of your healthy diet and exercise.
Your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump your blood everywhere it needs to go. Your organs don’t have to work as hard. Your body can function optimally.
Your body’s energy can go towards dropping body fat and building muscle, instead of going towards getting your cells the nutrients they need to simply function. Your body can check that off it’s list of things to do. Your body isn’t just surviving anymore, it’s thriving.
Dehydration
You can learn a little about the effects of dehydration by watching the video below. As you watch it, think about what would happen if you hydrate properly. Think about all of the risks he discusses, but in reverse.
If you want your body to lose body fat and build muscle, you have to hydrate properly.
Otherwise, you’re simply wasting all of that hard work from your workouts. You’re wasting all of the benefits of sticking to your diet. I’m not cool with wasting that effort. Are you?
Dr Travis Stork on Dehydration
Dr. Travis Stork on Dehydration
Helpful Measurements
1 gallon = 3.79 liters
1 gallon = 128 fluid oz
1 gallon = 4 quarts
1 gallon = 16 cups (US)
Stay Hydrated Like the Opportunist!
Overhydration
Now for those of you concerned about overhdration, check this article out for signs and symptoms.
If you read the article, make sure you don’t miss the line, “An adult whose heart, kidneys, and pituitary gland are functioning properly would have to drink more than two gallons of water a day to develop water intoxication.”
There is a lot of conflicting research out there about the proper amount to hydrate, but please don’t let fear drive your choices. Fearing overhydration is not a valid reason to dehydrate yourself. If you are concerned, talk to a health professional about your particular activity level, goals, lifestyle and allow the professional to make a recommendation. But, keep in mind that you are the true expert when it comes to your own body.
As long as you’re healthy and LISTENING to YOUR body, getting to the point where you’re overhydrated would be difficult. It is much more common to be dehydrated.
PROPERLY HYDRATE FOR YOUR PERSONAL BODY, GOALS, ACTIVITY LEVEL
Make sure you understand I’m saying to properly hydrate! There’s really no way to argue this one.
2 gallons works for me. That doesn’t mean it is the right amount for you, but you do need to properly hydrate. Listen to your body!
Did you like this post? Tell me in the comments!
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments. Don’t be shy! Your comments may help to inspire another. Your questions may help someone else who has the exact same question, but is too shy to ask. I love hearing from you!
May 10, 2012 @ 07:17:14
Wow – I really struggle with drinking water. You gave me more reasons to make it a priority.
I drink – maybe 8-10 oz of water a day plus 2 cups of coffee a day. That’s it. Today that changes – thanks!
May 10, 2012 @ 07:46:52
You’re very welcome Heather! Be prepared to be running to the restroom way more… Maybe use that time as a little reminder to do a few stretches away from a computer as well.
May 10, 2012 @ 15:42:55
Thank you!!! Loving your blogs!!!
May 18, 2012 @ 10:45:56
Thanks Darci Anne!
Jun 16, 2012 @ 21:26:22
Just came across your blog today and wow I can’t stop reading it. I’ve recently lost 14kg and in the process of ‘leaning/toning up’ at the moment so thanks for taking the time in your busy life to write something so inspiring and informative!
Jun 20, 2012 @ 18:46:44
You are very welcome Jessica! Congrats on losing 14 kg! That’s fabulous!!!!
Aug 12, 2012 @ 12:45:22
Im hooked on your blog…. Is there a UK equivalent? I’ve just started training properly and it’s so inspirational
Aug 13, 2012 @ 19:03:12
My blog is still in it’s infancy stages, so no UK equivalent for the blog itself…. but exercise, nutrition and motivation is universal so I’m happy you made it over to our side of the pond!
Welcome and enjoy!
Sep 01, 2012 @ 09:53:19
This is one area I struggle the greatest. There are so many benefits to getting adequate fluids. Thanks for reminding us and encouraging us to research it more!
Sep 02, 2012 @ 00:38:36
My biggest challenge as a baby nurse is that we are not allowed to have water at our work stations where we chart on the computer. As nurses we may only have time during our ‘breaks’ in which we have to gorge drink our water, as well as on our lunch break we have to gorge eat (we only have 30 min). Add in going to the bathroom more frequently as I have to when I increase my water intake, and it makes for eyebrows going up pretty often because someone has to watch your patients while you go to the bathroom. These are my biggest challenges at work for getting the cups in.
Anyway, I know that when I stop paying attention to how much I drink, my intake goes way way down! It really does take daily consciousness to keep this up!
Another point I think is important in this topic, is that we should note that a good sign of hydration is pale or straw colored urine, not clear! Lots of people assume that clear is good. Overhydration can be bad too, leading to hyponatremia. Dehydration would be evident when the urine is yellow or dark. Great post! Hydration is such a basic but important point in our journey to health. Thanks Cori!
Sep 03, 2012 @ 19:20:07
Thanks Margesella. Keep in mind over-hydration is SUPER rare when it comes to adults.
While everyone is different, new research is showing that you would need to drink in excess of 2 gallons a day in order to be at risk of over-hydration. I drink 2 gals a day while I’m prepping for competitions and believe me, that is NOT going to happen accidentally. 
You have to really work at it.
So drink up!!!!