How Much Water?

The debate continues. How much water should we drink in a day?

Like the fazes of "do we take tonsils out, or leave them in", the medical profession studies, and debates, on a healthy water intake (and temperature) for the average person.

Sport Medicine Drs. may very well feel differently than Family Med.Docs.

If you're thinking of stepping up, or down, the amount of water you drink, there's scads of Internet info, of course. Remember, to target your age, activity, etc. when doing this research.

It's an idea to ask a trusted health care provider, or trainer their opinions. If you have any kind of health history involving any kidney disease, or medications that might be affected by the amount of water you drink, or, when you drink it, or you're just really starting to get into this, maybe including a work-out regime, always ask your Dr.

So, you've researched, and decided to start drinking more water, even as much as 8 glasses a day. How do you do that when you're really "not a water drinker"?

Some think you actually have to stand there, and start your day with a huge glass of water every morning. There, "that's one"! You actually don't have to plug your nose and down all that water at once.

Like anything else you decide to add to your health and fitness plans, working it slowly into your daily routine is the route to go.

Fill up a water bottle. When you're at home, keep it in the room you spend most of your time in, the kitchen or office. At work, keep it close to you as well. Every once in a while, just take a little sip. When it's empty, fill it up. Funny thing about water, it seems the more you drink, the more you want to drink.

It may take you 2 weeks to finish that 1 bottle in a day. That's ok, no pressure. You're still drinking more that you did, and conditioning your body to having and wanting the extra water.

You'll see, it'll work.