Water

Water Tactics that Make Every Day an 8-cup Success

Eight glasses of water every day? No matter how you pour them, that’s a lot of liquid. We're talking cups and cups…and cups. Even knowing about the many benefits of meeting your daily quota—increased fat burning, healthier skin, more energy, better digestion, fewer cravings—doesn't make drinking it (or dealing with increased bathroom visits) any less of a struggle for many of us.

And remember, there is no magic number. The recommended eight cups a day is not a one-size fits all. You’ll need more if you’re sweating through workouts; less if you eat a lot of water-rich fruits and vegetables. One great way of telling if you’re getting enough water is to check out the color of your urine. If it’s dark yellow –you need to rehydrate more.  If its clear –you’re doing great

Here's a few tips to get more water in…

Think of water drinking like wine tasting. Taste the various brands and types of bottled waters available sparkling, spring, mineral, vitamin-enhanced and fruit-flavored.  Be sure to read the labels as some "waters" have significantly added calories.

Keep your water bottle next to you every time you hop into the car, or buy a package of bottled water to keep in the car. Whenever you're driving about, your water will be within easy reach from your car's cup holder.

Gulping all that water can seem daunting. So get a package of straws to slowly sip it instead. You can even pick up a water bottle with built-in straw.

Set a glass of water at each place setting at the dinner table just like restaurants do. Don't fret about drinking it all—just place it there. By sipping water between every few bites, you'll slow down and enjoy your meal more, while also meeting your water needs.

Make it a point to stop by drinking fountains, and even drink your water when out to lunch while reading the menu.

Get in the habit of drinking a cup of water when you do other things in your daily routine. When you Workout - Keep your bottle beside you. Heading for bed- Set a glass on the nightstand. Reading by the fire? Always bring a cup of tea along.

Make a habit of having your own special water each week. This can be your own recipe with a slice of lemon or lime, a fruit-flavored water, or a tall sparking mineral water.

Just a couple of these tricks can push you across the eight-cup finish line. Sometimes, simply conquering your water goal is enough to set you on the right path in even more areas.