Adding enough water to your daily routine is vital as we age, particularly in midlife women.
It’s a no-brainer that water is good for you. But, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t always a fan.
I mean, why drink water when you can drink something a little more sweet or thirst-quenching like lemonade or coke. Flavorless and lukewarm or iced, who wouldn’t choose something other than plain water as their drink of choice?
Of course, now we know more about the importance of drinking water especially as we get older. Water is good for everything, from hydrating skin, regulating body temperature, and carrying nutrients and oxygen to our cells so we’re more alert and energetic to helping with blood pressure, digestion, metabolism, and detoxifying our bodies by removing waste. Water is like a power-wash for your body.
In a previous wellness post, I talked about NFL quarterback Tom Brady’s book and his reference to drinking water first thing in the morning. After reading it, I started doing the same. I can’t stress enough how much this one, new habit has made a huge difference in how much water I drink and more importantly, how I feel throughout the day. I have more energy and I drink so much more. If I start my day with water, I don’t get that dog-tired, need-to-take-a-nap feeling, which usually happens around 3:00pm.
According to the Mayo Clinic, you want to drink at least 11.5 fluid cups of water which equates to 92 ounces. I use a sustainable, stainless steel S’well bottle that holds 25 ounces and keeps my water cold. When it’s ice-cold, I definitely drink more. My daily goal is to refill it at least 4 times a day to hit the 90 ounces. It’s a process, just like counting steps, but it’s working. Although I’m not a fan of tepid or lukewarm water, Healthline says there are benefits to drinking both.
Whether you are a lukewarm or cold water drinker and you’re struggling to drink more, here are some simple tips that I use to drink more H2O:
Start your day with 16 ounces of water. Before anything else, drink up on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Also, don’t forget you can heat your water and add lemon. It’s a great way to enjoy the start of your day. Water, whether hot, tepid, or cold, makes a big difference in terms of how much you’ll consume during the day and how you feel. According to Lifesource Water, water in the morning has great benefits. So maybe Tom Brady is on to something?
Drink water while you’re working out. When you workout you sweat and lose water, making you prone to dehydration. When I workout, I drink at least 30 ounces over the course of an hour. This not only replenishes what you sweat, but it also makes me drink more.
Carry a large water bottle everywhere you go. For me, this is key. A larger water bottle, 32 ounces or more, and filled with ice and water makes it so much easier to stay hydrated. Not only does it stay cold, it’s always accessible.
Add natural flavoring to make it easier to drink. I started drinking more water by adding flavoring such as cranberry, lemon or lime juice. During the summer, I like to add lemon, cucumber or mint to my water. Sometimes I’ll even add a nutrient supplement, like cell food, because I like the taste (I’ll be honest it isn't for everyone, but I love it).
Sip all day long. The more you drink, the better you feel. Yes, you will be needing to use the bathroom more, but you will also feel great.
Do you have any secrets to drinking more water? Let us know and we’ll share with our community.
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