Drunk In Love, High(drated) on Water

“I’ve been drinking, I’ve been drinking

I get energized when that aqua get into me

I’ve been thinking, I’ve been thinking

Why can’t I keep my lips from sippin,’ baby?

I want you, na na…” 

While I do not drink from a five-gallon water cooler as pictured above (and doing so may break both your bladder and back, so please don’t try to impress your office crush by attempting such), I think we can all agree drinking water is pretty important.  In fact, I bet if you asked anyone in your life, almost every single one would say that they don’t drink enough water.  And yet, although this is believed to be one of the most essential factors of being a healthy human being, nearly everyone in today’s society is failing to establish and habituate good water intake!

So why am I harping on the lack of self-hydration in our great nation?

Because it is the single, easiest thing a person can do for themselves to improve their health, appearance, and well-being.  Water makes up roughly 60% of an individual’s body weight.  Every system in your body depends on it to function properly, and even mild dehydration can drain your energy and cause fatigue.

According to the National Strength and Conditioning Association (2012), the average fluid recommendation for sedentary adults may range from 1.4 -2.6 liters per day.  1.4-2.6 liters.  That means if you are drinking the standard 12 ounce plastic water bottle, you would need to drink 4-7.3 of those a day.  *Side note -if you are drinking from disposable plastic water bottles, I highly encourage you to get a reusable, as that plastic is TERRIBLE for you and our earth.  Obviously the requirements for each individual differ based on numerous factors such as body weight, environment, and amount of sweating on a daily basis, to name a few, but the overall consensus is that people are not getting enough water for their specific needs. It seems crazy not to drink at least the daily recommended amount of water when it will improve your overall bladder health, rid your body of toxic waste, and helps prevent serious issues such as UTI’s (been there—ouchy), kidney stones, and bladder and colon cancer.

In my own experience as an observant gym rat, most people are substituting good ole’ pure water and  instead drinking caffeine filled “power” drinks, or “natural” juices that are merely sugar laden “-ades,” and working against any weight loss goals.  For the average person moderately working out a few times a week, water should be more than enough to keep your body hydrated.

And as for my time working in corporate America, it was all too familiar to see individuals drink a single paper cup of water from the cooler per day! People!  THIS IS NOT ENOUGH! By keeping ourselves in a constant state of dehydration we create an environment within our bodies that makes focus and efficiency a struggle, which makes your job as good employee that much harder. To make up, we lean on, again, caffeine and sugar.  I must admit I do love coffee.  A lot.  Probably too much.  Hey, no one said we were aiming for perfection here!  Another thing to keep in mind is your brain does not even register “thirst” until you are already at a 1%-2% state of dehydration (NSCA, 2012).

If you believe you may suffer from dehydration, here are some signs to look for:

  • Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine (if your pee does stank, some water you must drank)
  • Decreased frequency of urination
  • Prolonged muscle soreness

If any of this applies to you, don’t panic! It’s an easy and obvious fix. DRINK MORE WATER. There lies the easiest solution to any problem with your body ever!

If you are not taking any supplements normal urine is the color of light lemon juice.

Also, while the thought of peeing thirty times a day may seem unappealing, anecdotally, all the people in my life that have drank the watered-down “koolaid” and have experienced the benefits of staying hydrated first hand typically never go back.  Once they recognize how much better they feel, they can’t.  Some of the benefits include:

  • Clearer and more supple skin
  • Supports weight loss (Hungry? Try having a glass of water, as you may be dehydrated)
  • Increased energy, focus, and productivity
  • Thicker hair (As someone who has personally struggled with hair loss, I can relate to how important this last point is.)
  • And a ton more.  For more information on benefits of proper water intake, check out:

Having trouble staying hydrated? We all need a strategy.  My recommendation is to pick up one or two reusable water bottles (we must remain environmentally conscious and for those of us in California, remember to  “water yourself, not your lawn”). Sedentary? Shoot for two liters a day.  Active? Go for a full gallon! Fill them up at the beginning of the day and work to meet progress goals, thirsty or not, and start building that good, life-enhancing habit.  I guarantee you’ll see a change.