The prevailing advice on water intake is eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Do you drink that much? Do you count? Do you agree with the recommendation?
I have three thoughts on this:
- One thing many people miss about this … the recommended 64 ounces is total fluid intake, not necessarily glasses of water in addition to the fluids you get from other sources. Food can provide up to 20% of your daily fluid intake. Soda, coffee and alcoholic beverages should be measured negatively if you’re keeping score. They dehydrate.
- I’m sure you’ve heard about the possibility that drinking too much water can kill you. You might also be able to kill yourself by trying to do 10,000 burpees … but you won’t. Google it if you’re concerned.
- Like everything else, water consumption should be about balance. The goal is to match the intake with the outgo – drinking vs. sweating. So the guidance I live by includes …
- I don’t try to count – it’s probably unnecessary and kind-of obsessive
- I make water my beverage of choice
- I always keep water with me and drink it throughout the day
- I drink water before, during and after exercise
- If I’m thirsty, I might be dehydrated.
What do you think?