Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Water Anyone?




You know....I almost felt like I was taking the easy road by making my week 2 challenge be to drink 64 oz. of water a day. Giving up fast food seemed like a feat. Just drinking water isn't all that hard.


Or is it?


It's day three of this challenge and I still haven't managed to do it! When I was working the bottle sat on my desk as a constant reminder. But being home I just get side tracked. So I guess I'm not feeling like such a slacker anymore by deciding to incorporate this new habit into my lifestyle. Because it's something I'm truly going to have to work on until it becomes ingrained. It's not as easy s I thought it would be.


Here are few more reasons to make this a habit in your lifestyle as well. Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.


Drinking a healthy amount of water has also been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%. And it can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer.


And get this - for those of us women who feel a little "fuzzy in the head" (you know...we get scatterbrained and forget things at times?) well....not getting enough water could be the culprit.


So I'm trying to figure out a way to make sure I get my 8 glasses. Mizfit wears 8 bangle bracelets on one wrist and moves them one by one to the other wrist for each glass of water she drinks. I've heard others set their watch to beep 8 times though out the day as a reminder.


I'm going to have to come up with a strategy that work for me. Any suggestions?

12 comments:

Missicat said...

I definitely need to work on the water consumption. Some weeks I do great, some I fall flat on my face. I will probably do the watch alarm thing - have you tried it?

Roxie said...

I do struggle with this issue as well. What's working for me now is that it is summer and I live in Texas. I try to keep my water bottle handy at all times and somehow, I'm magically getting down all my water. It's the first time in my lifetime, I think. Good luck to you.

Pattie said...

"And get this - for those of us women who feel a little "fuzzy in the head" (you know...we get scatterbrained and forget things at times?) well....not getting enough water could be the culprit."

Really? So it's NOT perimenopause?? Thank heaven!

I love water, so it's easy for me to get it in. But some tricks I know include drinking a cup each time you brush your teeth; another cup each time you take any meds you normally take; two cups with every meal, etc.

Congrats on making it through your first week fast-food-free. Here's to lots of water this week!

Kate said...

I always keep a bottle of water on hand, and since I don't drink coffee, tea, or soda pop, it's pretty easy for me to get in the recommended amout of water. The hard part was giving up the rest of the stuff...

~Kate
Fabulous @ 50

Anonymous said...

I have sound reasons posted on my About Me page on why water is important. Try my best to follow them but getting the water in is not always easy.

I have a 64oz container for work & one for home. I manage to get the water in by drinking before or after I go to the ladies (water in, water out!) Once your body gets used to your water intake, you have to find new ways to get it in. The bracelets might be a good idea!

MaryFran said...

For me, if I simply drink from a water bottle or a glass of water I am never able to get my 64 ounces in. However, I found a big 64 ounce mug. First thing in the morning, I fill it up with ice and water. (it's insulated so it keeps the water cool pretty much all day). I sip away at it al day. I can easily see where I'm at in my progress and seeing this hulking big mug sitting on the table/kitchen counter/wherever is a huge reminder to drink drink drink. Works for me. I don't go anywhere without my 'sippy cup'!

Big Girl said...

Drinking a lot of water is hard and sometimes I swear I spend 1/4 of my day going back and forth to the restroom. I like the idea of having some method of keeping track of how many glasses you drink. Right now, I just keep sipping water throughout the day. I manage about 6 glasses at work and then a couple more at home but I'm sure it varies from day to day.

JC said...

I love water but I rarely get 8 eight oz. glasses in a day. As I read your post I reached over and got my 32 oz jug/cup and guzzeled some down. I love the bracelet idea. I usually dring a 20 oz bottle before work while getting ready, taking pills etc. I take at 32 oz bottle/cup/insulated thingy to work and then get the rest in the evening. However, most of the time I don't get the 32 oz at work down. I get busy and forget.

I'll be interesting in know how others manage to get it in. Blessing, JC

TitanThirteen said...

How about you do a Google search for "ways to get your daily water intake"
You could make a habit of carrying your bottle everywhere you go. It may seem like a drag but i know people who do that.
I know a guy who drinks cups of hot water [instead of coffee]during the winter too.

Mom On A Mission said...

Water is on my list of goals too.

I find if I measure out the full amount in the morning, then pour from the pticher into my glass or water bottle, I can keep track of how much water I'm drinking.

I know I have to down at least half of the pitcher by noon. I've actually have emptied my container early in the evening a few times, so I get more than my needed water.

I have kept drinking water on my goals list for a few weeks. Now it's not such an issue for me... we learn as time goes on.

Good luck! I look forward to hearing what works for you.

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

You've just given me a great idea. I can set my Google calendar to send me a "drink your water" pop-up reminder every hour or so throughout the day! Thanks, Lora!

Good luck with your goal. You're right: it's not easy.

Grumpy Chair said...

I was the same way - when I worked, I could easily get in my 64 ounces per day. Been a stay at home mom for five years and can't choke the stuff down.

I think summer is probably easier than in the winter.