Make It Easy
When water isn’t easily accessible, you won’t drink even if you’re thirsty. You’ll put it off, choosing to stay behind your desk or in your chair instead of getting up to get a glass of water. Purchase a water bottle that you love and refill it throughout the day. Keep a glass of water beside your bed, on your desk, or beside your chair. Wherever you are, make sure that there’s water nearby. You’ll find yourself automatically reaching for it much more often.
Drink Before Meals
Get in the habit of drinking a glass of water before each meal of the day. Not only will that help knock out at least 24 of those never-ending ounces, it will help you feel more full so that you’ll consume fewer calories when you sit down to eat. You don’t have to chug the water down for this to be effective. Also, eat slowly throughout your meal, and sip water regularly. You’ll be surprised how fast you can consume your daily supply of water.
Make It Tasty
Many people don’t drink enough water because they don’t like the way it tastes. If the taste of tap water is the problem, you have several options. A filter attached to a faucet or in a pitcher or water bottle is a great way to get good-tasting water wherever you go. You can also choose to drink bottled water if you find that a particular brand works better for you, but the cost of all those bottles will add up quickly. Adding flavor to your water is also a great way to convince yourself to keep drinking. Citrus fruits like lemon and lime add a hint of flavor and can even help rev up your metabolism. Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries can add a cool, refreshing flavor. Cinnamon is also a fun added treat in your water. There are also several flavor additives on the market that will allow you to add a few drops of flavor to your water wherever you go, but make sure you check the ingredients: artificial sweeteners found in many of them can sabotage your fitness efforts and create unhealthy side effects.
Keep Track
Sometimes, when you first start trying to drink more water, you’ll surprise yourself with how little you’re actually taking in. You assume that you’re drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day. After all, you don’t feel dehydrated! By tracking your water consumption, however, you may discover that you’re drinking a lot less than you think. Use an app, buy a bottle or pitcher that’s big enough to hold all the water you’re supposed to be drinking, and simply keep track of how much you’re getting down throughout the day. If you discover that you’re way under your goal, you’ll know that you need to make changes!
When you drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day, you’ll be surprised at the changes in your body. Your skin will be healthier, you’ll feel less bloated, and you’ll have more energy. Not only that, you’ll discover that it’s easier to lose weight as the water flushes unnecessary toxins out of your body.
