Drown Your Sorrows

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I'm sorry, eight glasses of water a day ("8x8") will not do. I mean, maybe that would suffice as a minimum; a launching pad perhaps but not the target - - okay...lemme throttle back. The 8x8 rule IS sufficient but not ideal. It will work...but why be good when you can be GREAT!! Dontcha wanna sparkle? Dontcha wanna shine? Dontcha wanna pee!?!

I am the Water Nazi. I admit to interrogating friends and family about their daily consumption. I praise those with exemplary intake, encourage those with adequate amounts and scorn those who lack. This is important to me. I need my people alive. And well.

Personally, my minimum water intake is a gallon per day. Between daily cups of coffee and/or tea (diuretics), this rebellious skin on my body and the curls on my head (your skin/hair also thirst) and the exercise in which I do not partake, I feel, for me, this is suitable. Not saying that you have to be a watermonger like me, but when determining and setting your water consumption goal, consider your lifestyle.

Lifestyle factors such as diet. Are you eating enough fruits and veggies to aid in replacing lost fluids? Are you drinking sugary, awful, murderous, diabetes-invoking, heart attack-provoking sodas? If so, it would behoove you to wash that sludge out of your system with something pure that will properly rehydrate. And I know you're still thirsty after chugging it. There's no way Pepsi has quenched your thirst. Your tongue is dry. Stop it.

To determine what your daily consumption should be, try the Hydration Calculator. Or simply use this method:  Divide your body weight (in lbs) by two. The resulting number is how many ounces of water you should drink a day. Example: LaShondiquisha weighs 150 lbs. 150 / 2 = 75lbs. Therefore, Qui-Qui should drink 75 ounces a day. Nice and easy.

Few tips:

Start Early. After you brush your teeth, drink a glass.  Have another with breakfast. Pour another when you get to work and keep replenishing it throughout the day. If you start off early, you'll feel inspired to keep it going. In the event that you wain off after work, you've already gotten in a good amount.

Count Your Blessings. Name Them One By One.  Using tally marks or some type of water grid is a great way to track your progress. Or if you're not excited about this, count down backwards to how many ounces or glasses you have left that day.  Either way, seeing your progress will push.

Equip Yourself.  99% of the time, I have a bottle of water in my bag. Bottled water is ever present in my car.  I keep a refillable water purifier in my office. I'm never without. Buy yourself some sort of canteen or reusable water vessel. I've been a slave (Sorry. I know it's Black History Month) to my Nalgene* for years! That sucker holds 32 ounces of water. It's BPA-free, they come in different styles, colors and have various accessories. More importantly, it doesn't crack, break or stain - basically Ivy-proof.  A gallon of water is 4 Nalgene bottles. 4 easy refills. There are many other water bottles like this. Shop around. 

Wake It Up. I happen to love the taste or non-taste of water. However, I do understand that it can be boring. So do something about it. Many prefer lemon in their water. *blech* That's yuck and boring. I've taken to adding slices of cucumber to my glass. I picked that up in Chicago a couple years ago. It's great. Try making your own Spa Water. Another option is sparkling water for those of you who need your bubbles. My sister and I are partial to club soda w/ cherries (I add lime). Be creative. 

THE Most Important Tip Ever. ALWAYS, I mean every time and in every place, always make sure you know the exact location of the restroom! You will pee all the day long. It will be annoying but you'll get used to it.  After all, would you rather spend 7 minutes going to the bathroom or hours in the ER hooked up to an IV because you're dehydrated? Your choice, loved ones.

Warning: Hyponatremia or Hyperhydration a/k/a Water Intoxication is real and you can die. Be careful. Don't be crazy. 

Happy Hydrating =)

*i'm quite fond of the wide mouth design of the Nalgene because it's easy to clean the inside. I use very hot soapy water and a baby bottle brush to scrub.  Once clean, I wrap paper towels around a pair of tongs to dry and to ensure that the residue is removed from the inside a/k/a the white glove test. It sounds Mommy Dearest-ish but I'm not an algae eater. I just want the water.