I don't drink enough water. I've never been the *best* water drinker but when I was pregnant, I drank water like it was my business. I think all pregnant women do that. Now, however, it's bad... very bad. It's not that I don't like the taste of water or that I find it boring (I don't drink juices or sodas in its place), I just completely forget. Last night, for example, I was getting ready for bed and realized that I had only had the equivalent of one full glass of water the whole day, so I quickly downed two more. Still not enough, and doesn't exactly make for a restful night of sleep when done that way. So, what to do? Really, tell me what to do.
I've thought about adding sliced fruits to my water to turn it into a *fun project*, but I'm not sure how that will make me remember to drink it. I guess I just like the idea of a *fun project*. I know Joe, who drinks a ton of water, is going to read this and say something along the lines of, "Cel, all you need to do is always have a glass of water in front of you." Which is true and logical, but completely dismisses the fact that I CAN'T REMEMBER TO DO THAT. Can you? How? Tell me your secrets, please.
find a glass that makes you feel like you're relaxing on a tropical beach. honestly. the best way to remember to drink a shit ton of water (which i do) is to be in love with the glass you're drinking out of so that it becomes an accessory. my personal favorite right now are vintage jelly jars. lots of ice. sometimes lemon. or cucumber. i also cold brew herbal tea and drink the hell out of that as well. right now it's peach. delicious.
ReplyDeleteyou need a cool cup with a straw (you can get them at Target or Starbucks or anywhere in between). then, get into the habit of carrying it around with you all the time (you can even put fruit in it!)
ReplyDeleteMaybe leave a pretty cup of water in every room your frequent. And when you are there and see it make a rule that you have to at least take a sip from it right that moment.
ReplyDeleteI think Krista and Nikka have the right ideas though!
K, so this is embarrasing, but N bought me (as a joke) one of those Bubba Keg things one day at TJ Maxx, and I use it all.the.time.
ReplyDeleteAt work, we have an ice machine, so I just load it up with ice water, stick a straw in it, and keep it in view (the ice + straw combo is key - I need it cold, and I drink a LOT more if I have a straw). More often than not, I'll just grab for it like a zombie, without even realizing I'm doing it.
Best (and most bizarre) gift EVER
Or you could make a lot of really mild tea. I've been guzzling green + mint like nobody's business. Yum.
ReplyDeletei am the same way. i even have a glass of water in front of me all day, and i just don't drink! ... great ideas here though, i need to bring a pretty cup to work! :o)
ReplyDeleteOoo yes to the ice and straw. It's far too exciting to turn down!
ReplyDeleteWe get a lot more water in our system than we think. If you are a heavy veg and fruit eater, they are very water heavy and hydrate our bodies.
ReplyDeleteAlso, naturally non caffeinated herbal teas will hydrate and are more interesting. I personally love peppermint tea. Mildly caffeinated ones, like white tea, are great as well.
As far as FORCING yourself to get some water down, chug a full pint somewhere in your morning routine. While the coffee is brewing maybe?
I had a really wonderful water bottle that I loved and always kept the water at the perfect temperature (not to cold, but never warm). I would carry it with me in my purse and I found
ReplyDeleteI drank a lot more water just having it around. It became that thing I could do with my hands on the bus when I was figgity, but couldn't get up. I would get out my water and sip it.
Of course, last week the bottle has disappeared and I'm very sad. I hope to find it soon.
Your reader Kat is RIGHT ON the money! I find I drink a ton when it has a straw or sports cap---anything thats sucky that you will suck. You'll turn into a water zombie and just drink it. Get a bottle with a sucky top!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem. I work from home, so it's extra ridiculous. I start with a glass of water on my desk, and then when it's gone, I'm too lazy to walk the 20 feet to the fridge to refill it. But at least starting with that glass helps, because it's right in front of my face. Constantly carrying a bottle around also helps. As does having a gigantic cup/bottle/what have you. I had to stop & buy water on a long drive last week, and the biggest bottle they had was 1.5L. I ended up refilling it and using it for the rest of the week, and I NEVER drink that much water in a day.
ReplyDeleteI've also tried tallying all the cups I drink, and sometimes that helps.
i always pour a glass of water for myself with my morning cup of coffee. and if i get more coffee, i get more water. that way i end up at least drinking a couple glasses first thing in the morning.
ReplyDeletealso, i drink a glass of water right when i get up in the morning and i use a big glass so it's like two servings in one.
I either carry a water bottle, or I keep some iced tea in the fridge, so I always see it when I'm grabbing something to eat.
ReplyDeleteWater can be pretty boring so fruit will def help. For me even just adding slices of lemon makes a big difference on how much water I drink. Other option would be to eat alot of spicy food so that your mouth is on fire and you have no choice haha!
ReplyDeletei'm CONSTANTLY dehydrated at work- submerged in saltwater & sweating gallons all day. i've gotten sick from it more than once. i bought a reusable cold coffee cup- 20 oz w/ permanent straw & lid from bb&b- & before i head out in the morning i throw sliced strawberries in it. totally saved my skin. lots of ice!
ReplyDeletethis is my problem as well! i have a bottle of water sitting right next to me as a write this- do i drink from it? nope! i just forget to for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI had this problem then go one of those soda makers and seriously I look forward to drinking water...makes it seem like a treat with a little lime thrown in.
ReplyDeletei had a friend who had a nalgene bottle with her, and knew that if she drank two full bottles, she would be good for the day. try that!
ReplyDeletexo
sami
Try bringing a bottle of water with you wherever you go... ;) Sometimes, when I get nervous, I drink water.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that I was dehydrated for my entire teenage years. In my twenties I discovered how much better I felt with a couple of litres of water in my system each day, and I have never stopped since!
ReplyDeleteHere are my tips:
1. Find a water bottle you love, and take it with you wherever you go. I have one for home (and take it with me in the car) and another at work. Each one holds exactly one litre so that I can keep track of how much I've been drinking. If you make a goal to drink a certain amount before lunch/dinner/bed it can help!
2. I always have a big drink before I eat a meal. This way I'm working water into an already-established routine, and it also helps me to not overeat. I think our bodies often confuse hunger for thirst.
3. Sometimes the more I drink, the more I need! It's too easy to go half a day without drinking and set your day up badly. If you can start drinking water before breakfast you'll find each subsequent glass goes down really easily.
Good luck! Get this right and you'll never look back :)
Try setting a reminder on your computer that goes off every hour or whatever.
ReplyDeleteHaving a cool thing to drink from is the best advice, I think. Really, try to bring a bottle in you bag with you everywhere. You'll look at it every time you open the bag. I would say a beautiful bottle like a sigg really does it! They have all sorts of designs, and you can load it with cool water or warm tea and it will keep the temperature.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem. The husband bought me a s'well bottle which keeps the water nice and cold and I just add a squeeze of lemon. It follows me around and easily fits in my bag, so far it's been working.
ReplyDeleteI like @lacy's idea - we also bought a soda stream with some of our wedding dough, and it's fantastic. BB&B sells them now, and you can use your coupons on everything - the starter kit, flavorings, AND tank refills.
ReplyDeleteI am terrible at the water drinking even while pregnant. I force it down. No tipsfrom me sadly.
ReplyDeleteCelia,
ReplyDeleteI absolutly don't think you are a raging bitch. what on earth gave you that idea?
I don't really know why I sometimes comment on a blog and sometimes comment on twitter. I think it changes based on what I think the purpose of the response is. If it's a conversation I want to have with you I think that makes it to twitter, if it's a piece of advice that everyone can use or a general comment with no urgency I comment on the blog.
Either way I'm pretty sure you should feel should feel better about my blog comments that I take to twitter.
To the water issue, I drink water all day but I'm always thirsty. It probably has something to do with all that running stuff and meat eating I do. I'll start reminding you to drink via twitter. How's that sound?
@rob you've made my day. thank you. :)
ReplyDelete@everyone else, i've learned a valuable lesson here, which is that i am apparently not very fond of our glassware. and that what's really lacking in my life is straws. going on amazon now to get a rad cup with an even radder straw. xox
I could have written that post. Word for freaking word. I hate drinking water unless I feel thirsty, but I drink so much damn coffee I NEVER do. My liver hates me I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI have another suggestion. I have not tried this but I had heard about it, these bracelets that have beads you move to count things, like number of glasses of water in a day. They are actually marketed towards mothers, you can read about them here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mamanista.com/2009/05/county-me-healthy.html
HERE IS WHAT I DO:
ReplyDeleteFIRST, I pour water into a cup. THEN I drink it.
(Sorry. I wasn't trying to be an asshole. I was just trying to make you laugh.)
ReplyDelete(Maybe you need one of those straws that is spectacles and you wear them on your face and your water zips around your eyeballs. I always thought those looked neat.)
Get one of those funny hats, the one where they put beer on the sides with long drinking straws. Replace beer with water, and you're good to go!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, the best idea is to have a water bottle with you daily. Remind yourself that you need to drink water. You may forget to do so from time to time, but soon enough, you'll improve and drinking water would become much easier.
-Katherine Inman-