re: coffee, etc.

From what I've read, you do not have to drink extra water on top of a cup of coffee, just that compared against water, you won't get the full amount of hydration. So maybe 6 or 7 oz from 8 oz of coffee, compared to 8 oz of water. But that 6 or 7 oz still counts

But alcohol is dehydrating, so for that, you are better off if you match each drink with a glass of water.

It's a good plan for me.

I think we're all different and our hydration needs are different. But I try to drink more water than I used to just to curb hunger a bit and to help keep the effects of sodium in line. I do the same thing you do - I take a drink every time I go to the bathroom - during the day. I stop that around 5:00 or I'd be up during the night. I don't have any health issues that suggest I limit my salt intake. I try to stay reasonable, but I probably get sodium at the upper end of the recommended amounts, so Ii drink a couple extra glasses of water a day to help with that.

And I count tea, flavored water, diet soda, etc. as "water." I agree with Freelance on that one.

Lin

I live in a desert climate so have learned to stay hydrated but water alone doesn't help me on a hot day if my electrolytes are wonky. And definitely one can over drink water & that can be dangerous. That said I feel better when I make an effort to get some dedicated water in.