So for the past 7 days (well 8 because I added an extra day to make up for a lost day) I attempted to drink a gallon of water per day.  Like I mentioned in my previous post this “challenge” was an experiment for me to see what all the hype is about.

I’ve mentioned a few times on my Facebook page that I struggle with water, which after this experimental challenge, I’ve realized isn’t actually true. Now there are some days when I don’t drink as much as I should, usually on lazy weekends that don’t include workouts. But in general, I now believe that I drink just the right amount– for MY body.

A typical day in liquids looks like this for me:

Wake Up- Iced Protein Coffee

Before Workout- A few sips of water on the way to the gym.

During Workout- DRINK ALL THE WATER

Post Workout- Refill the water bottle and sip it throughout the afternoon

Evening- Think I want something sweet, realize I’m thirsty, drink a big glass of iced water.

Go to Bed- Sleep through the night

In an average day I probably get about 60 ounces of water plus about 12 ounces of coffee in the morning. If you count the coffee, that makes 72 ounces.

My diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and very low in processed (high sodium) foods. I pee a few times a day and rarely have to get up to pee in the middle of the night. I never get headaches and I am in tune enough with my body to recognize the difference between thirst and hunger.

There are so many conflicting theories on how much water we should drink that it’s obvious no one really knows.  Everything from the standard 64 ounces per day to .5 an ounce per pound of body weight, up to a whole ounce per pound of body weight. I don’t know who actually comes up with these numbers but based on my experience with this challenge I think it’s safe to say that no one but ME knows how much water I should drink. And no one but YOU knows how much you should drink either.

I have worked very hard to create a strong mind/body connection over the last few years and after having gone through this challenge (and not quite succeeding) I am even more confident than ever in my ability to listen to what my body needs and respond appropriately.

The first few days of the challenge I tried so hard to get in a whole gallon, but I just felt water logged all the time and could only drink so much. I experimented with different drinking vessels and kept my water close by at all time but no matter how hard I tried I just could not get it all in.  I was peeing clear urine non-stop all day, and slept like crap because the peeing didn’t stop at night. Which left me feeling exhausted every morning.

And THEN I started waking up SO thirsty in the mornings— something that didn’t happen before I started the challenge which led me to believe that I was actually DE-hydrating myself by drinking so much friggen water!  Because, as we know, thirst is the first sign of dehydration!

As I shared my struggles with getting in a whole gallon each day on the Facebook event page I got lots of comments telling me that it would get easier; that I would actually get thirstier and crave more water. Now before I go any further, I think it’s important to note that I LOVE water. I don’t mind drinking water at all. It’s actually my preferred beverage. Straight up, no additives necessary. And I’m perfectly capable of drinking well over a gallon on days when I need it. Case in point– two weeks ago while judging an outdoor CrossFit competition, I drink almost TWO gallons of water…because I was sweating balls and was THIRSTY! But on a typical day, when I’m just working out for an hour and then sitting at my desk in an air conditioned room, I am NOT so thirsty.

As the week went on I felt more justified in my suspicion of a gallon a day, just for the sake of drinking a shit-ton of water, is completely unnecessary, and perhaps unhealthy for most people, me included!

I’m not a medical professional but it seems to me that if the more you drink, the more you NEED to drink, then what you’re doing is not good for your body. Because instead of hydrating yourself with water, you’re actually DE-hydrating yourself by flushing it of its necessary electrolytes.

While water is the best fluid for our bodies as far as liquids go, our bodies need more than water to stay hydrated. Our bodies need electrolytes which, according the US National Library of Science Medicine,  “effect the amount of water in your body, the acidity of your blood (pH), your muscle function, and other important processes.”

Electrolytes come from minerals found in foods and when we eat a well-balanced diet that full of fresh fruits and vegetables.  (not electrolyte drinks which are meant to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat during strenuous activities.) However, when we drink too much water, we actually deplete our bodies of what they need, leaving us to crave more— hence the increased thirst when drinking so much water!

So to wrap it up, my final thoughts are that drinking water is great. Drinking a lot of water is good. Drinking too much water is bad.

The only way to know how much water you should drink is to listen to your body. 

Bodies are smart. It’s our brains that get in our way.

Drink water, enough to keep you hydrated.

Eat water dense foods that are full of vitamins and minerals.

Live YOUR best I’mperfect Life.

How much water do you drink per day? Tell me in the comments below!