I have never been one to drink lots of liquid of any kind. A cup of coffee in the morning, ice tea or water at lunch, and water at dinner; rarely do I drink anything between meals unless I have a huge tea on a day I am running errand and drive through fast food. I drink for the taste, not because I am thirsty.
Due to some kidney issues, my Nephrologist wants me drinking 64 oz. per day. I did that 25 years ago when I did Weight Watchers to lose 10 pounds I couldn’t get rid of after my second child; she was 3!! I am working on the water, but working full time and drinking all that water has me running to the bathroom more times than I really want to leave my desk. While I am happy to drink water during meals, I am having trouble getting it all in. I don’t want to drink too much in the evening as I already get up twice a night to go to the bathroom; I do enjoy sleeping!
Any suggestions for getting the water down during the day? I looked into one of the infusers, but I am not going to deal with fixing all that fruit every night for one bottle of water that I have to take to work each day. Weekends are easier as I have a water cooler at home, so I tend to drink more while home. I know I need to start once I get up instead of waiting until I have finish my coffee at work, so I will try to go get a big glass from the kitchen once I wake up. Now that the weather is getting warmer, maybe I will be able to drink more water quicker. My daughter wanted to buy me some gadget that flashes in your water bottle to remind you to drink, or something like that; that I am not doing!!
You just need to make sure you have a big tumbler or nalgene type bottle with you at all times. Before each meal, down a large glass as well. Once you get in the habit, it becomes very easy.
“I am working on the water, but working full time and drinking all that water has me running to the bathroom more times than I really want to leave my desk.” It’s good to get up out of your chair and walk around frequently, according to current wisdom. So, you are actually doing yourself another favor.
It has just a touch of minerals added to it so it actually has some taste. 2 bottles = your daily dose of 64 oz. Drink out of the bottle, it is easier to see how much you had vs how much more to go (instead of refilling a cup) - it is like seeing the finish line in the distance instead of counting mile markers.
I always have a bottle or glass of water around. If you do that, you’ll drink more. Be careful with soup as it can be so salty that it negates the extra liquid.
Do you like bubbles? Having bubbly water or lightly flavored seltzer around might entice you to drink more. I’m addicted to La Croix!
I have kidney stone issues and have to drink lots of water daily. I use a S’well bottle because it keeps it cold and ice icy for at least 24 hours (although I never need to keep it that long, with the occasional exception of when I’m travelling). When it’s ice cold, it’s easier for me to drink. This has been a many years long issue for me and it took some time for me to be able to drink the amount I need to on a daily basis. It didn’t happen overnight. Eventually, I just got used to always having water with me, wherever I happened to be, and to keep drinking it! I am also cognizant of the proximity of a bathroom when I’m out. At night, I usually get up once, although I sometimes make it through the night. I think that once your body has adjusted to having increased water intake, it also adjusts to the voiding. At least, that’s the way it’s been for me.
First thing I do when I walk down the stairs to the kitchen in the morning is to down a glass of water. Though I don’t think I’m “thirsty” that first glass of water in the morning tastes the best!
I’ll second the idea that you should - water aside - be getting up from your desk frequently for movement - heck, I make myself walk to a farther bathroom just to get a little more movement on those bathroom breaks at work!
Another tip - when having water with meals, drink a glass of water (or 1/2 a glass) even before you take a bite of your food. Not just sips between bites.
I didn’t particularly care for water either but I feel so much better now that I’ve been drinking more - like Bunsen, I buy bottled water for a “treat”. My daughter got me a beautiful rose gold S’well bottle that I love to use at work - we have a cooler there. If you don’t want to mess around with cutting up fruit, why not add a tiny bit of juice (like cranberry or pomegranite) for some flavor?
I believe it is easier to gauge your intake if you can see the physical bottles. Perhaps 1 large bottle of Smartwater, 1 bottle of bubbly water and 1 water bottle with ice or a pretty bottle of http://www.bluesolarwater.com
When you first start drinking all that water you will put in a lot of mileage to the bathroom but soon your body will adapt. There is an app that you should download to help with drinking all the water you need. It is plant nanny. Essentially you are in charge of watering your plants and you can set reminders to drink. If you are not drinking enough water and thus not watering your plant then it will die. The plants are cute. I think its fun so check it out to see if it will motivate you.
The sparking water is a treat for me and is a nice replacement for tea or soft drinks. Once your body gets used to having the water it needs you will notice that you feel sluggish if you don’t get enough. Also your skin will look better!
I do not sit at a desk all day, although sometimes I wish I did! My husband is a solo physician and I am the office manager and gal at the front, and more recently, the medical assistant as we fired the one we had. I walk by the bathroom 30 times a day; just have to remember to take myself inside!
I hope the body will adapt to the increase water intake. I have always gotten up during the night even when I don’t drink much in the evening; not sure if I wake up and decide to go to the bathroom while awake, or wake up because I have to go. Now my husband has to get up once a night to go!
I always get a bottle of water when we have lunch at the hospital. Today they had a individual packets of lemon powder, called True lemon; I tried one in my water bottle and it actually has a flavor. Don’t know that I would use it for every bottle, but I will sometimes. This morning i did grab a large glass of water once I got up, and while I didn’t finish it before I left home, by the time I got to work, I had finished 20 oz. Almost done with the second 20 oz., so on the right track.
you know what is really good room temp (at least to me)
walgreens brand dye-free . Pedialyte the taste grew on me after a couple times. I drink it when I need extra fluids and it is better than Gatorade. you could add 1/2 a bottle a day to your daily regiment.I never drink and entire bottle at one time. 1/2 goes in the fridge for the next day.
Running to the bathroom more often is much much better than kidney stones!
A tip I’ve remembered is that one typically drinks more when drinking with a straw.
I struggled with this until I found the right bottle. Somehow this one ensures that I get 64+ oz every day. I drink one in the morning, one in the afternoon, one in the evening.
@LasMa - Seriously, the Jackson water bottle is what got me drinking my 64 ounces a day! (Though I go for two at work and then have 2+ glasses of water in the evening at home.)
A little warning about this bottle though is that the gasket in the top tends to fall out, and if you lose it the bottle is pretty much worthless. I finally managed to not lose one of my gaskets and then the rubber molded. So I’ll probably have to replace the bottle again. They sell replacement lids online but not replacement gaskets, in spite of this being a common complaint. Also not a good bottle to throw into a bag as it opens with a button. If anyone knows of a similar sort of bottle without these issues, I’d be very appreciative!
I’m a freak about drinking water because it seriously made a difference in my life. I used to have chronic headaches, and they went away almost entirely when I started making it a goal to drink 48-64 ounces of water a day. I used to get serious headaches at least 2-3 times a week and now I might get a minor one every other week. It has also helped with weight loss because with my stomach constantly full of water I don’t get as hungry.
Zobroward, I just need to add water to my day; other drinks don’t count, otherwise I would be good. My problem is kidney damage due to anti inflammatory medication for a bad back; I have gone off those meds now. I was also found to have small kidneys, possibility how I came from the factory
OP, I’ve been upping my water after kidney stones. I bought a large insulated cup (32 oz) with straw. I find it easier to get it down if I take big sips from straw instead of just from glass. I do two of these a day in addition to whatever else I drink. (Dr. recommended lemonade for kidney stones). I find I can drink more if water is not too cold but I think that is personal preference. I do work hard to get it mostly in by the afternoon so I’m not drinking too much late at night.
My son gave me a Camelbak Eddy for Christmas last year which has really helped me reach my daily goal of 64+ ounces of water per day. I tried to post a link to Amazon and instead got sidetracked and ordered a bottle/straw cleaning kit and replacement bite valves. He thought I could use it at the gym, which I do, but I also keep it filled and drink throughout the day.
My above post was missing a paragraph; guess my phone did not like what I typed! I have now found that getting the first 20 oz down while getting ready in the morning has helped, so I will continue to do that. I can get the remainder in during the day with drinking that first large glass first thing in the morning.
As my blood levels return closer to normal, the hope is most of the problem was due to the anti inflammatory medication I was taking for my back. As I went off of everything, the levels have dropped a good bit in 2 months. My kidneys will always be small, but hopefully I will not damage them any more than they are. As an infant I had many bladder infections, so I want to believe that my kidneys have been small for a lifetime, and not all damage from my previous medications. My dad also has a blood disorder that I might possibly get, but don’t currently have, so I am being followed carefully.
While I am happy to drink water during meals, I am having trouble getting it all in. I don’t want to drink too much in the evening as I already get up twice a night to go to the bathroom; I do enjoy sleeping!
