Remind me how much water I should try to drink each day. Also is there a thread to keep track of water drinking, if not can this thread be the one that does?
I don't think there is any set number you should aim for. THe old idea was 8 8oz glasses a day, but that school of thought has changed. One way to guage your hydration level is by your urine output. Too dark and you are not getting enough liquid. Days when you are exercising more, you would need more so your water needs are constantly changing
Here is a water calculator
nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm
Mayo clinic article on water consumption
mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283
You don't have to drink any water to lose weight. I lost 190 pounds by only drinking when I was thirsty. Water might fill you up temporarily, but it does nothing to make the fat melt away.
Theres no goal that you should aim for as everyone's body is different. When you feel thirsty, drink. All I can really suggest. I agree with the urine thing above too...helps me know when I'm getting to little water
I think drinking a bit more water helps keep the effects of sodium to a minimum. If I have something that's really salty, I try to drink a bit more water.
There is a thread with "points" in the title every month. It's just a place to record whether or not you stayed on plan, exercised, and drank the amount of water you feel you need. You get 2 points for being on plan, and one each for water and exercise, for a total of 4 possible points per day. you might want to check it out because sometimes posting every day does hellp you stay to the plan you set for yourself. here is the November thread:
It isn't very active this month, but check it out and see if it's something you might want to do. Sandi (the 100 pound club moderator) posts a new one every month and then announces the "winner" of the previous month.
As for water, I always have some "on the go" at my desk, gives me something to fiddle with my hands while I talk to people. I drink probably 8 or 9 glasses a day. I agree with Lori Bell tho, there's nothing magical in water to make the fat melt away. I like to think it helps swoooosh it out in your pee tho LOL Makes your skin nice too!
Remind me how much water I should try to drink each day. Also is there a thread to keep track of water drinking, if not can this thread be the one that does?
In MRC we drink more than 8 8oz glasses a day. This not only keeps you hydrated but it flushes out the fat. It fills the fat cells with water which we will lose and thus dries up the fat cell. I was drinking 100oz a day,but since I have lost a little over 50 lbs I drink 78 a day. I have a container that I know how many oz is in it , I also, write it down each time I empty the container.
I do think drinking more water has helped me with weight loss and go for the standard 64 oz a day. I hate what bottled water does to the planet, but I find a liter of bottled water the easiest thing to drink out of. Washable water bottles don't have the nice squishy feel. So I buy one on Monday, clean & refill it all week and then buy another the next week.
Everyone is different but I try to get in 75oz a day give or take. I split it up between meals, snacks and excercise to help me remember to drink it cause I tend not to get thirsty much. Also I have a 32 oz bottle that I fill up twice or so a day so I know exactly how much I'm getting.
Really depends on the person. It's critical for me, my body holds water like no one's business, even with a low sodium diet! If I am a little higher on sodium, I find Green Tea works wonders. The rule I follow is 50% of body weight in ounces so I drink about 100oz a day (when I remember!). I do see the difference in my weight loss when I don't. Strength training can also lead to some water retention fyi. Again, everyone's body is different but this is a huge sticking point for my particular biology Play with it, see what helps/works etc.
I have a large glass of water before breakfast in the morning and before bed at night. In between, every time I go to the bathroom, I drink a medium-sized glass of water before time I leave. That seems to keep everything pale straw coloured.