How much water are we suppose to drink in a day?

I heard 8 glasses of 8 oz of water ea glass. so 64 oz total? Some people have told me 4-6 litres which seems like alot. I drink about a gallon of water a day, but only because I am pregnant and always thirsty!

The recommended amount of water to drink daily from what I learned is 6-8 glasses of water. (A glass being 8 oz)

it really depends on the person. Most reccomended is 2-3 liters a day. 

If I drank that little I would totally shrivel up and die! I drink at least a gallon but usually a gallon and a half to two a day. I feel awful if I dont.

It's recommended that you drink a half-ounce of water for pound you weigh + drink back the water you lose during exercise (+ maybe more if you're pregnant). So if you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink 70 oz. of water daily.

Original Post by cellophane_star:

It's recommended that you drink a half-ounce of water for pound you weigh + drink back the water you lose during exercise (+ maybe more if you're pregnant). So if you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink 70 oz. of water daily.

 I would totally pass out and die, I guess I'm an exception to the rule

I've always drank at least 8 glasses of water a day. I could probably use more since my mouth is always dry. I just didnt want to "drown" myself by forcing me to drink a ridiculous amount of water that I really didn't need. Thanks for the help!

Original Post by girlfighting27:

Original Post by cellophane_star:

It's recommended that you drink a half-ounce of water for pound you weigh + drink back the water you lose during exercise (+ maybe more if you're pregnant). So if you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink 70 oz. of water daily.

 I would totally pass out and die, I guess I'm an exception to the rule

 I always drink way more water than is minimally recommended! I just found this neat link for a human water requirement calculator that factors in exercise: http://www.csgnetwork.com/humanh2owater.html

You are supposed to drink 2 quarts of water. Then 1 quart more for every 25 pounds that you are overweight. I have a powerade Zero bottle that I use for water. It is 32 oz, or 1 Quart. I drink 3 or 4 a day.

That 8-glasses-of-water thing is a bit of a myth - there's a drop in performance if you're significantly dehydrated, but the notion that you need to drink before you're thirsty because you become dehydrated long before you feel the need to drink is unsupported in any science literature.

 Which makes sense. If Grok the Caveman couldn't tell when he needed to drink - had efficient thirst signals - he'd have died out in prehistory. Since we're here, Grok knew when to drink to survive, and since you have the same genes as Grok did, so do you.

Original Post by cellophane_star:

It's recommended that you drink a half-ounce of water for pound you weigh + drink back the water you lose during exercise (+ maybe more if you're pregnant). So if you weigh 140 lbs, you should drink 70 oz. of water daily.

 That's what I've heard too....

I've always heard 8 8oz glasses, but I probably drink about 60+...

One thing I heard growing up was that people are never actually supposed to feel thirsty...because being thirsty meant you are dehydrated. So anytime I feel "thirsty" I drink a lot more just in case.  I think it's a good rule to go by: drink enough so you never feel thirsty, but that's just me.

Otherwise, I think most are safe with 8 glasses. (my bf drinks over a gallon a day...that's insane, but he needs it).

I dont agree with 8 cups a day,I drink 4 or 5 cups a day and I feel perfectly fine.I only drink when im really thirsty and sometimes when im done exercising.

I think it depends on sooo much. On days I workout, i get around 12 cups...on days i do i get 20 cups. Some days, like workout days, im more thirsty than usual, so i drink more.

either way i just make sure my urine is pretty pale and i know i must be somewhat hydrated enough.

I check my urine also for color to make sure I am drinking enough. I was told to drink until you pee clear. I tried that before but I ended up going to the bathroom a few times an hour just to get those results! too much bladder work for me lol

Thank You! I fount it very usefull!'

I think it also depends on where you live at. If you are say, from Arizona, you probably should stick to at least a gallon... Not drinking enough of water also affects your skin and if you want to avoid premature aging, drink up!! ;-)

Double check with your doctor, being constantly thirsty even though you drink enough water is one of the potential indicators for diabetes.  Being pregnant you might be at risk for the gestational variety.  It's probably not an issue, but better safe than sorry!

Original Post by smwhipple:

Double check with your doctor, being constantly thirsty even though you drink enough water is one of the potential indicators for diabetes.  Being pregnant you might be at risk for the gestational variety.  It's probably not an issue, but better safe than sorry!

Oh I got tested for diabetes as well as gestational. I dont have anything wrong with me. I dont have high blood pressure and my urine seems to be fine. I am just always thirsty cause of the baby im sure :-P

I'm very glad to hear that!

Are you eating saltier foods which tend to make you thirstier?  Sometimes I find that just sipping water constantly works better for not making bathroom trips every hour.  Also for me, crystal light, coffee, or carbonated soda almost always makes me want to go much more frequently.

There are times when I do eat too much sodium. Especially now that I am logging in what I usually eat.. the sodium intake is ridiculous. So yeah it could be the fact I am eating too much sodium. I cant believe how much is REALLY in processed foods,boxed meals and canned goods! This has been a real eye opener for me.

Oh yeah, then there's the little body playing soccer with your bladder!