I am always encouraging my clients to increase their water consumption, and it’s not always easy for everyone to up their water intake. But it’s so IMPORTANT! If you are struggling to add more water to your daily routine, here are just a few reasons why you NEED more water:

• Water increases our metabolism.
• Water helps us feel full which leads to a reduction in caloric intake.
• Water can enhance physical activity. Muscles are more than 75% water, so hydration is paramount to higher intensity exercise and helps to delay muscle fatigue. It also helps to cushion our joints.
• Water affects brain function. Proper hydration can impact mood, energy level, and help prevent headaches.
• Water flushes out our liver and kidneys.
• Water aids in digestion and can help with constipation.
• Water helps to eliminate toxins through sweat and urine.
• Water helps our body access all those nutrients and minerals we’re consuming with whole food nutrition.
• Water protects all our organs and tissues.
• Water hydrates our skin.

Now that you see ALL the BENEFITS of drinking more water, let’s talk about how you can maximize your hydration. I tell all my clients to aim for at least half of their body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 160 lbs, you should be aiming for AT LEAST 80oz of water EVERY day! Here are some tips and tricks on getting in your water each day:

• Get an insulated water cup/bottle that holds a large volume and keeps your water cold. Nobody has time to be filling up a little 8-12oz cup all day! The more water you have on you, the more likely you are to drink it. 
• Keep your water bottle with you ALL the time! You know you’re not leaving your cell phone lying around, so don’t leave your water bottle lying around either. Keep it on you all day. Keep one on your nightstand too, so it’s there from the start to the finish of your day.
• Challenge yourself. Fill up a pitcher at the start of the day so you have a visual of what you need to drink by bedtime. Take a pen and mark how much you should drink, by lunch, by afternoon, and by bedtime.
• Track it! If you’re using the Amanda Nighbert app, we have a great tracking feature, but there are other free apps out there like Waterminder and Waterlogged.
• Add a little flavor. Variety is the spice of life. Add lemon, cucumber, herbs, flavored electrolytes, or stevia flavored drops to switch up the taste.

One final suggestion, invest in a filter. High quality water is important. For under $200, you can invest in a quality reverse osmosis filtration system that converts ordinary tap water into high quality water. It’s also environmentally friendly, because you’re not purchasing all those plastic bottles! 

WATER IS LIFE! Small steps can help you increase your hydration little by little every day. Let’s all commit to upping our water game!