a goal a day- day 1: water

I've been thinking I need to break my vast list of personal goals into bite size pieces. Today I want to focus on getting my water-- it's so funny cause I used to drink way more than 8 cups of water a day on the regular but these days it's hard to get that much.

Today my goal will be to drink 8 oz of water every waking hour. Who's with me?

I'm with you! I was doing really well about drinking enough water, but I've gotten a little lax (about everything actually...) But, today is a new day and today I am going to get my water drinking under control! Hahahah. Who doesn't love baby steps?

That's a great idea :D I'm actually lacking on my water intake too...some days I forget to drink it entirely opting for various teas instead...I could probably drink four cups of peppermint tea a night and no water...bad choices.

Today my goal is five glasses.

Ive never liked to drink water, but this go round with weight loss Ive been doing much better, I bought a giant water bottle (32 oz) I fill it everymorning and wont let myself drink anything else (with the except of my one cup of coffee in the am) or leave work til its empty. Having a waterbottle that is pretty has actually helped with remembering to fill it also, I like it so I'm less likely to leave it behind

I have just joined Calorie Count and although I really like the idea of drinking water and I know its good for you and the body needs it, I really struggle with forcing myself to drink it.

I tried getting a cool water bottle, but that didnt work, I tried placing it right in front of me at my desk, but that didnt work and I dont really drink anything throughout the day unless I find I am really thursty, then I reach for a diet pop and have a couple of sips and then the rest is wasted.

Any other thoughts or suggestions that might help ?

Don't reach for the diet pop. In fact, don't buy it at all. "Water" in itself did take some getting used to. After all, it has no flavour or anything. Try switching first to carbonated water, perhaps? Your body is dehydrated, so you should definately drink more. Then try some flat mineral water. Then get yourself a Brita filter and go tapwater.

Other suggestions? When you're sitting at your desk and feeling like a snack, have some water instead. See if you're still hungry after that. Do some heavy-impact exercise, your throat will beg you for some nommy refreshing water. And it'll feel goooood!

my goal is to eat no more than 1400 cals (haha not today, gotta eat Thanksgiving dinner) and work out every day!

I'm with you on the water too.

I'm not quite sure I get why people don't like water!  Personally, I find pop, juice, etc. too darn sweet for my palate.  Water is so refreshing and (despite people saying it's tasteless), it's delicious!!  Maybe the problem is your city's water supply.  I know sometimes when I go travelling I notice the water tastes sulphury, or dirty.  Definitely consider buying some kind of filter!

Also, remember that the more you drink, the more you will desire water!  I find when I stop drinking enough water, I stop feeling as thirsty (this is due to an adaptational response of the body - the less you drink, the more water your body will retain to conserve those valuable fluids, and you'll definitely put on a few pounds of water weight!).  As you get used to drinking more water, your body will start peeing out the excess and not retaining as much - consequently, you'll drop a few pounds of water weight, probably notice excess puffiness around the eyes disappearing, and desire water more often.  So keep drinking, regardless of whether or not you think it "tastes good".  Part of the reason for the obesity epidemic and high-sodium diets is the modern-day belief that everything we put in our mouths has to taste incredible, and have a very strong flavour.  Try eating more foods without sauce, sugar, salt, etc., and eventually you'll come to enjoy them their natural flavours.

Original Post by toesinarow:

I'm not quite sure I get why people don't like water!  Personally, I find pop, juice, etc. too darn sweet for my palate.  Water is so refreshing and (despite people saying it's tasteless), it's delicious!!  Maybe the problem is your city's water supply.  I know sometimes when I go travelling I notice the water tastes sulphury, or dirty.  Definitely consider buying some kind of filter!

 

Totally! I am from Vancouver and "the cleanest water in the world" is delish! But when I go elsewhere I cant even drink it because I am so spoiled. This has caused lots of issues because I drink so much, especially at restaurant s that is usually all that I order, and I take a big gulp before I remember it tastes bad :(  a filter of some kind is in order if you live somewhere with bad tap water.

also a quick reminder that bottled water is REALLY bad for the environment, the plastics leech into the water and cause cancer and other bad stuff, it is usually tap water from another country, and the bottles often dont get recycled, they just ger shipped to china a burned! Drink out of a cup!

on the subject of the actual post, I like this little goal idea. This week my goal is to eat a small healthy breakfast everyday!

I used to have trouble getting my 8 cups of fluids every day, but for some reason this time around it hasn't been so hard. I just make sure to include my tea and juice as well. So here's what I do:

In the morning I have a large glass of water (2 cups), and a glass of orange juice (0.5-1 cup). Then depending on the morning if I have cereal than I have milk or soy milk (0.5-1 cup). It can feel like a lot to get down, but if you don't like water you can alternate between the orange juice and the water to have some flavour.

Then at work I have green tea, which uses about 2 cups of water. Typically that is all I drink throughout the day until I get a better water bottle. :)

Then when I get home I try to drink at least another 2 cups, but I usually end up at three. What I need to do is make sure I try and drink water before I eat when I have cravings. All in all that usually averages out to about 8 cups or so each day... when you split it all up and try not to think of it as having to down 2 litres of liquid its not so difficult.

Original Post by mdporter:

I have just joined Calorie Count and although I really like the idea of drinking water and I know its good for you and the body needs it, I really struggle with forcing myself to drink it.

I tried getting a cool water bottle, but that didnt work, I tried placing it right in front of me at my desk, but that didnt work and I dont really drink anything throughout the day unless I find I am really thursty, then I reach for a diet pop and have a couple of sips and then the rest is wasted.

Any other thoughts or suggestions that might help ?

I fill up a 1.5 liter water bottle I got from the gas station months ago and use the little plastic water cups you get from the water coolers at work to drink from it.  For some reason it's less intimidating to drink large amounts of water when you're drinking from a small cup (plus keeping the wet lid, spit, chapstick, etc off the bottle prevents that gross mildew smell!)