We are told so often to drink water. What is the correct amount? Doesn’t it seem odd that a 300lb person and a 100lb person are supposed to drink the so called 64oz per day? Shouldn’t one also take into account daily activity involving more that sitting at a desk or a desired cup of coffee? Now that I’ve raised some eyebrows let’s chat!
It’s not often that I would ask you to step on the scale but for the sake of your own personal growth do that now and write the number down. You don’t have to share the number with anyone. Take that number and divide it by 2. That is the number of ounces of water you should be intaking EVERY day. (ie. 100 lbs / 2 = 50 ounces) Add more if you drink coffee or workout. For coffee every shot of espresso or glass you should drink another 8oz. After working out drink away directly after! It may seem like a lot but I challenge you on the first day of the new year to do this for 1 month. Just a month! Take a picture of yourself today (even if it’s just your face) and then take another photo on February 1st.
A few things that may happen… You may feel like you are going to the bathroom every 30 seconds, this will subside after a few days. The bladder is an organ that expands and contracts like a balloon. The more often it is full the more it will hold. You may feel like you’ll never get through all of it. Honestly you might not the first day or two but by day 3 or 4 you will be surprised. You might notice that you are not as hungry as you once were.
Here are some things you can do to accomplish this beautifying task. Drink water when you first wake up in the morning. You can create a new morning routine by drinking hot water with lemon and local honey. The hot water will be quickly absorbed, the lemon with help to balance your PH, and the honey will help encourage your immune system.
Have a large glass of water before you go to bed. The first few days you may wake up to go the the bathroom but sooner than later you will sleep through the night. It is actually VERY important to drink water before you go to bed. Even if you don’t sleep 7 hours you probably sleep 5 and that is a long time to go without hydration. By drinking water before you go to bed you decrease chances of a heart attack and stroke.
Sip through a straw in the beginning. Studies have shown that you will drink more liquid when it is through a straw. However, since I am asking you to drink a lot I would encourage you to gradually take the straw away as you become able to drink more of it as it will increase air in the digestive tract.
Have a bottle next to you throughout the day. If you are one of those people who is extremely busy you can either add an alarm to your phone as a reminder or make lines on your bottle and every time you drink make sure you drink to the line.
Add flavor to your water! Fresh lemons, grapefruits, oranges can all be sliced up and put in your water for a little change. If you don’t have fresh fruit this is the perfect time to add a drop of your Young Living Essential Oils. Some that I love are peppermint, lime, tangerine, and thieves. (ONLY add these oils when using glass or ceramic.)
Play with temperature! Room temperature water is the best way for your body to absorb on a cellular level. Hot tea is a great way to enjoy warm in the colder months and it helps stimulate the digestive tract as well!
Fun Facts:
By the time you feel thirsty… you are actually dehydrated! *drink up*
Drinking water 30 minutes before a meal and 30 minutes after a meal will allow you to digest your food much better especially if you only drink as needed to swallow.
By adding citrus fruit to your water you actually stimulate your hypothalamus to send a signal saying that you are thirsty. (The hypothalamus is the regulator of the body)
Water flushes toxins out and allows cells to move within the body to aide and help maintain basic functions. This includes going to the bathroom, moving lactic acid quickly through your body post workout, thermoregulation (body temperature), lubricant, and shock absorber.
DRINK AWAY! Set an alarm for February 1st 📷 It’ll be here before you know it and I can’t wait to see the photos!
References
Oxford Journals http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/155/9/827.long
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v64/n2/full/ejcn2009111a.html#Water-as-a-vital-nutrient-a-multifunctional-constituent-of-the-human-body
Love, Laughter, & Light xoxo Meghan
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