Drinking a lot of water is one of the healthiest habits you can start, but it's so hard to actually make it happen. Start over again with your goal and try my 6 ways to drink more water.
Hi Friends!
I've talked a lot about drinking water over the years. I always carry a bottle with me and try to chug at least 64 ounces a day each and every day. It’s a habit I started around the time I ran the Chicago Marathon and it just kind of stuck. I feel SO much better when I remember to actually drink that H20 and I know it is so good for my body. My skin looks better, I feel less bloated and I have more energy. My runs and workouts feel easier. I honestly feel like my immune system is boosted when I'm on top of drinking my water too.
I'm not always perfect with it, but I always try. When I hit my goal I feel like I'm winning at life. 🙂
Some of you mentioned that you struggle with drinking that much water on a daily basis, so I thought I’d share a few things that I do to make sure I drink more water during the day.
6 Ways to Drink More Water
1) Carry Your Water
This is by far my biggest suggestion... get a big water bottle and carry it with you. Know how many times you need to fill it up during the day to reach your goal. I carry a 32 ounce Nalgene bottle with me during the day because I don't like having to fill a small one up a bunch. I find that the larger bottle also makes it easier to keep track of how much I drink. I know that I feel my best when I drink two bottles during the day. That 64 ounces, in addition to the water I drink at meals seems to do the trick for me.
If I still have a full bottle by lunchtime, I know I need to refocus and get my water in! It is a great reminder and makes the whole process much easier if you aren’t looking for a water source.
2) Always Order a Water
It's nice to order a beverage when you eat out, but always get a water too. I used to drink a ton of tea when I ate out, but over the years I've cut back to drink more water. Even if I’m in the mood for a tea, I’ll still order a water in addition to the tea and make sure I drink both. Getting a water on the side is especially useful if your beverage of choice is alcoholic. Alcohol is obviously very dehydrating and extra water can help balance that out.
3) At Least One Glass Per Meal
Drinking at least one big glass per meal is a great way to drink more water. I pour one big glass of water at all meals I eat at home. This helps my stomach recognize thirst over hunger and helps me get in those extra glasses without a lot of fuss.
4) Start the Day with Water
Keep a glass at your sink and fill it up when you wake up and drink away. Starting your day with water is such a healthy way to kickstart the day. I keep a glass of water by the sink and drink a glass when I wake up and whenever I brush my teeth.
5) Make it Interesting
Luckily I like to drink water, but I know some of you don't like the taste of water or get bored with it. Try using an Infuser Water Bottle to add fruit flavor to your water naturally. You can also add fresh mint and lime!
6) Get Fizzy
Sometimes you just want something fizzy! Replace your soda with naturally flavored seltzer water. Make sure to find the zero calorie, natural ones They taste super yummy and feel like a splurge but are just as healthy as regular water. My personal favorite are the lime and coconut La Croix. The hubs and I keep our fridge stocked with these and love them.
So there you have it... my tricks to drinking more water on a daily basis. I hope that you can find a way to incorporate them into your life. I swear it has made a huge impact in how I feel and my overall health and I know it can help you too. It is a hard habit to start, but once you do, you will be hooked.
ANNNDDDD... If you like my bottle get a near identical one HERE!
Don't forget to pin it!
Thanks for stopping by today! Come back tomorrow for another new Fashion Friday.
Your turn!
Do you drink enough water?
Do you have any tips to add to my list?
Kimberly Hatting says
I do most of these tips, and they have certainly made a difference in recent years. I actually have a 24-oz. Gatorade bottle I just refill all the time...I easily have three full bottles of water every day (but I have to squirt a little bit of Mio in it LOL).
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I have to share this with my mom. I just found out she doesn't drink water AT ALL! I told her that could be what's keeping her from losing the last few pounds she wants to lose. Water is SO important!
Kim G says
Carrying a water bottle with my all the time has made a huge difference. I also like drinking seltzer water when I want carbonation but no sugar!
Agness of Fit Travelling says
Staying hydrated is essential and important for the overall health. Thanks to your tips, I can now manage to drink more water during the day, Julie.
Erinn says
I use so many of these tips already! I always order water at restaurants because I hate consuming extra sugar...and who wants to pay $2-3 dollars for a fountain drink anyway?!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
Having a big water bottle with me has been a game changer! I've also noticed that drinking from a straw helps me. Probably because I can drink while working or reading or cooking and still see what's happening.
Tomik Ocas says
Hey Julie!
Thanks for the tips! I just want to add one more. Make your bottle look pretty so you can take it along with you everywhere. Trust me you'd love and eager to drink water from a pretty looking water bottle. I just started trying this a couple of weeks and already I am up to my water goals.
Ryan says
These are great tips for drinking more water! I just recently started carrying a water bottle around with me every where I go and it has really helped! Love drinking water! Thanks for sharing!
Kaitlyn says
These are great tips! I totally agree with #6. I finally realized I just crave carbonation - not the soda itself.
The Frugal Exerciser says
Drink a glass upon waking helps me a lot. Great tips and linking up to WOW! #wowlinkup
Joan says
I have a hard time in the winter with drinking enough water. I'm just not thirsty. I'm a senior citizen and I know it's easy for us to get dehydrated. Any tips you have will be appreciated. I also don't like plain water. I drink decaffeinated unsweetened green tea a lot.
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
These are some really awesome tips! I have found too that drinking more water makes me just feel better (and I think help me lose weight). Thanks for all the great suggestions!
JulieWunder says
I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by Shelby! I hope to see you again!
Mary Beth Jackson says
water, water, water! I always carry it with me and I love the fruit infused water! Makes it a little special!
JulieWunder says
I agree!!!
Deborah Davis says
I just hopped by from #wowlinkup to check out your tips for drinking more water. This is something that I have struggled with so your suggestions are helpful. I start my day with a mason jar full of warm water with fresh lemon juice, so that gets me going toward my goal. I also find that it is easier to drink a lot of water when I exercise so I hydrate a lot!
JulieWunder says
Me too! It seems like healthy habits all run into each other. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope to see you again.
Cassi says
I could do all but the seltzer water. I just don't like the taste.
JulieWunder says
Seems to be a love or hate thing with people. Great to see you today! Thanks for stopping by!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Great tips! I have a big mason jar at work that holds 4 cups of water. I fill it up and pour it into a smaller cup so that it seems more do-able. I aim to fill up the big guy at least 2 times while I'm at the office and then I have another glass or two at home!
JulieWunder says
Perfect!!
Gingi says
I'm actively trying ALL of these steps.. it's slow going, but I am drinking more water! Nowhere near enough, but it's more than my usual! Yay me? hehe! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
JulieWunder says
Every little bit helps! It is a process and it sounds like you are starting off great.
GiGi Eats says
The only way I can drink enough water is if it's carbonated!!!
JulieWunder says
I love fizzy water too!
Dan says
I love ice cold water , first thing I do when I get up is drink a tall glass ( yep, before my coffee 🙂 , sometimes I'll add lemon & stevia to make lemonade . . sorry about the ankle, now that the hubs is back you can get that foot massaged to make it all better 🙂
JulieWunder says
It's getting better! Thank you!
Angelena Marie says
Great tips Julie! I don't drink enough water, and I can tell when I don't. I need to start following some of your tips to get more in. I feel so much better when I am getting all my recommended water in for the day. My skin even looks so much better when I remember to chug my H2O!
Yay for tax day! I get my mom and sister back! They are both so busy during tax season and I miss my time with them!
JulieWunder says
Yay! I hope you get some fun time with your Mom and Sister now. I know the feeling!
Lynda@fitnessmomwinecountry says
Yes I have been drinking water for years, I am always great about that and so are the kids. I know that it is also amazing for my skin {I am much older than you} so note for future 🙂
We have water with us all the time and love adding fresh fruit or lemon, limes, mint, etc. Happy tax day 🙂
JulieWunder says
I'm not sure you are that much older than me 🙂 I'm older than I look.... Or don't look too close-- haha!
So awesome that you got your kids on water too. You are a fabulous Mom!
Andrea says
I just cannot get into seltzer water. Still working on it but ick. The water bottle thing is key!
JulieWunder says
So true! Even on vacation I take it with me.
Farrah says
Great tips! I'm notoriously horrible about drinking enough water, so I drag a water bottle with me everywhere I go now, haha. I need to try keeping one by my sink too!
JulieWunder says
I bet it is hard to remember as busy as you are!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Good tips! I always have a water with me and love to make my own seltzer with my soda stream. I also know where every bathroom in the world is!
JulieWunder says
Haha! So true. Me too!
Ashley @ Sweet Carolina Belle says
These are such great tips. I just switched to seltzer water and it has been an acquired taste but I am learning to love it!
JulieWunder says
I used to not like it, but I do now! Thanks for stopping by today!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I do drink a lot of water; I keep a water cup in my cubby all day. This might sound silly, but my new water cup is harder to drink from and I'm not drinking as much as I might like. I'm going to buy a different top for it.
JulieWunder says
Actually that is not crazy at all! The last time I bought a new Nalgene bottle, I got one with a big top (didn't think anything about it.) It was a cuter bottle. Well, I'm a HUGE clutz and kept pouring it all over myself and that made me drink less without thinking about it. I finally realized what I was doing and replaced that bottle with a small top like my old one. So no, not silly 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today.
Danyelle Musselman says
Great tips! I love fruit infused water, it really helps get me drinking more H2O!
JulieWunder says
Me too! Yum!
Mary Jean Henson says
Great tips! Hope your ankle is feeling better!
JulieWunder says
It is! Going to go give it a whirl on the elliptical now. Hopefully I will have no pain. Was able to walk yesterday without problems.
Have a great day.
Annmarie says
I have been upping my water intake recently too, these are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! It really helps me.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I think that carrying a water bottle with you everywhere is a big tip! When I am at work, I make goals to drink so much of my water by certain times.
JulieWunder says
That's a great tip. Thanks Stacie!
Blane Sherer says
I like your tips for helping folks drink more water. I do drink water regularly everyday, but probably not quite up to what you do. I completely agree with you about how healthy it is to drink water. Glad that you are getting your hubs back. I bet he is happy too.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane! It will be a good day at 6PM!
Libby Haire says
Good morning. I have a friend whose own Hubs is a CPA so this is a good day for both of them as well.
I like your idea for the refrigerated "fizzy" water. I have used them, but not regularly.
Thanks for all the good tips.
Best wishes for a good week to you and Happy Hubs Return Tax Day!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Libby! I hope you have a great day as well!
Lisa says
I am happy about today also. Today I get my life back and my husband gets his wife back. (Hey, that rhymes!) I assume your husband is an accountant or CPA. I also work in the industry and today is a milestone day. Back to the subject of your blog, I begin each day with a glass of water. It don't know if there is anything scientific about it but with that first sip I think my body says "Ah, thank you, I was so thirsty." Thank you for your blog. I start every day learning something new. Happy Tax Day!
JulieWunder says
It's a good day!
That sounds like the perfect way to start the day. Thanks for adding the tip!
Jenny says
These tips are great! I wholeheartedly agree with you--drinking enough water made the biggest difference in my energy levels and the appearance of my skin. I have a 32 ounce water bottle that goes EVERYWHERE with me. I aim for 90 ounces, and like you I know I need one bottle down by breakfast, lunch, then dinner. Such great advice! And I cannot wait to see what veggie you're featuring tomorrow... 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jenny! It is a yummy one.