Why you should drink more water! And less diet soda…

Obviously we should all be drinking water, duh. But come on, man, I’m not about to carry around a gallon jug everywhere I go just because every “doctor” out there says I should be drinking X amount of cups of water a day. Yea yea, I get it. But let’s take a look at what water actually does for your body and you may be more inclined to make a healthy habit of getting more H2O. You are constantly losing water along with sodium and other factors contributing to how much you’ll retain. This is why it’s important to drink it constantly throughout the day. Yes – this does mean that at first, until your body gets used to this new routine, you’re going to develop a relationship with your toilet, but this won’t be permanent, your bladder will adjust and soon you’ll only be going a few times a day instead of feeling like an 8 month pregnant woman.

Water has a lot of benefits and regulates more bodily functions than you may realize:

  • Helps support and cushion your joints
  • Regulates your body temperature
  • Reduces and eliminates waste and toxins within your body (clearer skin, anyone?)
  • Protects sensitive tissues such as your spinal cord
  • Water can help reduce the risk of a sun stroke in the summer
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Suppresses appetite
  • As well as a variety of other things

So water is also in beer, soda, and other drinks, I’m totally covered! Wrong. Most people aren’t getting enough water. If your urine is yellow, that’s proof enough. The clearer it is, the better you’re doing. Calorie dense drinks are lame anyway, rarely providing any nutritional value, adding sodium to your diet – which can leave you feeling bloated and 5lbs heavier, and only preventing you from losing weight in the long run. Plus (warning: rant ahead) diet sodas may be calorie free but they are filled with sodium and have actually been shown to increase your appetite, how ironic. Not to mention the variety of other reasons why you’re drinking a hazardous chemical (why do diet soda cans float while regular ones don’t!?!)

Also – the popular go-to answer for how much water should I drink everyday seems to always be eight 8oz glasses, and not to discourage you, but it really depends on your body type, how active you are, and the climate you are in. Drink more water, I got this, buuut sometimes it’s a little easier said than done. Here are some great ways to start and to soon turn it into a habit:

  • Carry a water bottle with you or keep one at your desk, in your kitchen, next to your bed (I personally love Contigo water bottles because they are spill proof and I’m a clutz)
  • Set an hourly or daily goal. “I’m going to drink 24oz every 2-3 hours” or “Today I’m going to drink 85oz” anything is a start!
  • If you must improve the taste of your water try to use something natural like lemons or limes. If you’re a fan of drink mixes, try to find ones without aspartame and that include electrolytes and vitamin C.
  • Think about how good you feel when you’re hydrated – fewer headaches, clearer skin, improved attitude, less junk food cravings…

Thirsty yet? ;)

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7 thoughts on “Why you should drink more water! And less diet soda…

  1. I totally agree: water will help clear out any ailment – that you might be feeling at the time;) Great post and I look forward to sharing more with you:)

  2. Thanks for the reminder! I do great in the summer, and usually add fruits or cucumber slices to make my water more exiting! But in the winter (yes it is still winter around here lol) I lack behind and end up thirsty… I have been trying to drink more green tea (no sugar or mild added)

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