Drink More Water!

That’s it.

No catchy title, no complicated program to follow.

Just one simple tip that most people looking to be healthier should follow.

Drink more water!

Whether you are trying to lose weight, get in better shape or just feel better day-to-day this will make a huge difference. I promise!

The benefits of guzzling water are legion, but here are a few key ones:

• Decreases hunger (Helps with weight loss!)
• Flushes toxins (Helps your overall health and well-being!)
• Increase your energy (Helps you make it through the day!)
• Increase muscle performance (Helps you get more out of your workouts!)
• Improve skin (Helps you look better!)
• Assists with digestion (Really, do I have to explain?)

It stands to reason right? The human body is approximately 60% water after all!

I can speak from experience that when I am not drinking enough water I feel it the moment I step into the gym or onto the training mats. The difference in how I perform (and therefore the gains I make) is really apparent. I tire much faster, and often feel sluggish, if I have had a day where I’ve been on the go and forgotten to pour at least a liter and a half down my throat.

So what can we do to ensure we drink enough?

Embrace Your Inner Aquaman

I have a confession to make, even knowing all of the above I still am not a fan of drinking water. I do it, but it certainly is not my favorite beverage…

Even though in my head I know that my first choice when I am thirsty (oh, and by the way if you actually find yourself thirsty you are already starting to show signs of mild dehydration so get to drinking!) should be water but given a side by side with another potential drink, like fruit juice or tea, I have to force myself to make the right decision.

So I figured I can’t be the only one and thought some of you are like me and kind of hate the taste of water. For us weirdos, here are a couple of tips:

1. Add some flavor! – This one little tip helped me put down the iced teas and calorie laden beverages and start guzzling more H2O. I started adding fruit to my water. Whether I was drinking from a glass, a water jug or a to-go cup I would crush up a handful of raspberries or blackberries and toss them in, or even better a few lemon, lime or cucumber slices (great thing about fruit slices is that one or two will flavor multiple refills). This one adjustment seriously increased my water consumption by leaps and bounds!
2. Always keep water nearby! – I suffer from “out of sight, out of mind” syndrome something fierce, so I make sure that I keep a container specifically for water near me at all times. Whether it’s a water-bottle, a to go cup, whatever… it is for water and nothing else, so when I look at it and see it is empty I know to go fill it back up and keep taking gulps of it as my day progresses. I have found that this way it becomes a habit of sorts I don’t have to think about how much I am drinking, as I generally will consume enough if I just keep refilling it through the day.

I know it sounds like common sense, and I am sure a lot of you already drink more than enough but it’s always a good reminder!

Make sure you drink 48-80 ounces of water a day and enjoy all the subtle benefits… oh, and those of you trying to lose weight, make sure you are drinking a tall glass of liquid life right before you sit down for a meal. It will help curb that appetite!

Do you have any tips for staying hydrated? Let me know in the comments below!

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