Weekly Challenge: Drinking Enough Water

We've agreed to start doing weekly challenges in order to break down the struggle and stress of trying to form new habits and break old ones. For the moment I'll be setting the challenges, but Eleana and/or Rachael may take over later on.

This week's challenge is staying hydrated!

Admittedly this is not something I struggle with anymore. I am a camel. But it means I can offer some insight and tips. Staying hydrated is so important - water helps your body function properly, replaces fluids when you exercise, keeps you energized and controls your appetite. It also has a massive impact on the appearance of your skin. Pick your level, consider an action plan and find somewhere to write down how you're doing every day - then include your results in next week's check in!

Levels
Beginner: 1.5 litres or 50 oz per day.
Intermediate: 2 litres or 70 oz per day (roughly the daily recommendation by most sources).
Advanced: 3 litres or 100 oz per day. (This is a case of listening to your body - no need to shoot for this if it doesn't feel comfortable. I drink this much to help with strenuous exercise and the warmer climate.)

Tips:

• Stay close to a bathroom. You will need to pee a lot at first. I promise your body starts adjusting after a little while and then it won't be so bad. Don't hold it though - bad for the ladyparts.
• Give yourself deadlines. I try to drink a litre before noon every day (easier because I exercise in the AM and need cooling down after Jillian has tortured me).
• Keep a large bottle filled up and work through it. (Like an Ole Miss Nalgene bottle from the union - Hotty Toddy!) I also like to keep a cup in front of me that I keep refilling, it's less effort than something with a cap.
• Drink at specific times, or make drinking part of your daily routine - drink a glass when you wake up, before each meal, etc. (I'd caution against drinking too much before bedtime.)
• I've heard people get disparaging about water recommendations, saying that we can't possibly need so much because we take in fluids with coffee, food, etc. It IS important to listen to your body about what you need, but most people don't hydrate enough so I find this comment a little silly. I am a purist and I don't count tea, coffee, soup etc towards my daily amount. Especially as coffee/soda is dehydrating!
• Make the water interesting. Not with chemical flavoring! Make it a "detox water" using Cassey Ho's recipe - slice of lemon, slice of orange, slices of cucumber, mint - or some other variations. Maybe put some berries in it. 
• You could also vary it by having hot water with a slice of lemon or fresh ginger or both. And green tea is awesome! (Sometimes I count it...) Cold water is valuable as your body has to work hard to heat it up, burning more calories. But I like a hot drink sometimes so these are good options.
• I use my Nalgene bottle to make sure I'm getting enough each day (I fill it up then pour it into a glass, for instance), but you could also track it on MyFitnessPal or keep a tally chart throughout the day.
• If you prefer to drink from a fountain rather than carrying water around, work out how many sips equates to 8oz. Measure it out in a glass at home and take regular sips, counting how many it takes you to finish.

Best of luck and remember to comment on it next week!