Hydration is Key

 

            One of my Facebook friends recently posted a reminder to hydrate as we head into these hot summer days. I giggled when I saw it, because if I hydrated more than I do now, I think I’d flat out float away.

            Ryan always says he has never seen anyone drink more water than I do – and before you worry, yes I do know it is possible to drink too much water, and no I am not overboard to that level. But I really do drink a lot of water, every single day.

            And here’s the thing: I hated water when I was growing up. Hated it. Never drank it. Lived on iced tea, milk, and Diet Coke.

            I wanted to write about this today because drinking water really is important, and a lot of people seem to struggle to accomplish it. Since I used to fall into that category, I thought I’d share the things that made a difference for me, and maybe they’ll help you, too!

            I grew up out in the country, so we were well-water people, and that was all I knew. In true Midwestern fashion, we drank water straight from the tap (sometimes with tap-water ice cubes popped out of a plastic tray), and that was our life. Water filters weren’t the thing then that they are now, and other than a quick sip from the drinking fountain at school, I didn’t have any other exposure to other types of water.

            What I’ve learned is that I don’t enjoy drinking well water. I know some people LOVE IT, but I am not in that crowd. Once I graduated from high school and moved to the residence hall at school, I discovered filtered water – and I discovered it tasted pretty delicious! In the summer months, I’d fill up a water bottle at the work fountain before driving home so I could have some “good water” for the evening.

            This discovery was the first of many for me in the water department. Each one has led me to the conclusion that if you can find the right mix of factors for drinking water, you’ll probably enjoy it.

            Here is my mix:

1. The water must be filtered. We have a refrigerator filter and a Berkey water filter. Between the two, I love the taste of the water, and that goes a long way in encouraging me to appropriately hydrate. If I’m going to be traveling somewhere (like back to my parents’ house) where well water will greet me, I try to take my own – or have some bottled water at the ready.

2. The water must be cold.  I hate room temperature water. Again, some people love it, and that’s fine! But I need it to be cold. So I drink from a stainless steel tumbler that keeps my water cold – and at night, I store it full in the fridge, so it’s good and cold when I wake up the next morning.

3. Speaking of my tumbler – it’s my measuring cup. I know exactly how many I want to drink every day, and I check them off in my planner to keep track of my ounces.

4. I can drink faster with a straw. It’s personal preference, but when I use a straw, I drink faster and actually make it through my goal for the day.

            Now, as a side note, I’ll tell you that I still drink other things. I actually don’t often drink iced tea anymore. I never think to make it, and sugar-sweetened tea is not good for me. I’m trying to avoid artificial sweeteners, so I pretty much only get iced tea if I go to Chick-fil-A. There I ask them to mix the two – just a tiny bit of sweet tea with mostly unsweetened tea, and it’s worth the treat.

            I gave up all diet pop years ago. I do not like the taste. I do love regular, fully sugared Coke, but of course, see above. I allow myself to have one every once in a while with pizza or as a treat after a long day. But I probably only have a couple a month. They’re worth it.

            Of course I drink coffee – and probably more than I should. But I drink that in addition to my water intake, not as part of it. The same is actually true for the Coke. If I have one, it’s not part of my hydration for the day.

            I never knew I could write so much about water! Ha! But seriously – I’ve gotten dehydrated/overheated before and it is not fun. It’s terrifying, actually. So I just wanted to share with you how I stay hydrated and hopefully you’ll be able to find the mix that works for you!