Perhaps you have heard from your doctor, friend, or nutritionist about the importance of drinking enough water each day. Maybe your friend recently shared that they got a new water bottle to help increase their water intake after noticing they didn’t drink nearly enough. You are constantly reminded about this but may have never taken steps to ensure that you yourself are drinking enough. Your hydration is a very important part of your journey as water plays an essential role in not only your weight loss by boosting your metabolism, but it helps improve your digestion, skin integrity and overall health! Even with this is mind, some of us can still struggle to reach our minimum water goal each day. You may be staring at that number wondering how you are possibly going to reach it, well don’t worry! We’re sharing these simple tips to help you increase your water intake and hit your goal each day.
Begin Your Day With a Glass of Water
Although you may enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning, try beginning your day with a glass of water first. This is a great way to boost your metabolism and rehydrate your body after a good night’s sleep. This will not only make you feel more energized, but will also allow you to cross off 8-10 ounces of water from your total goal for the day. For an additional health benefit, consider adding a slice or two of lemon into your glass. The acidity in the lemon will help your body flush out any toxins more easily by stimulating certain enzymes. You may want to keep a glass of water or a bottle by your bedside to remember to drink first thing in the morning.
Keep a Water Bottle in Sight
You are more likely to drink your full amount of water when it is always by your side. Getting in the habit of having a water bottle that you can take with you wherever you go is key to remembering to drink throughout the day. Whether you are going to school, work, running an errand, or just staying at home, be mindful of having your water bottle by your side. There are many different types and sizes of water bottles out there to choose from. You can find the one that is the best fit for you and be sure to take it with you wherever you go.
Get Creative
We totally understand that water can sometimes be boring to drink by itself! In order to make your water more flavorful, try infusing your water with your favorite fruits or vegetables. Cutting up slices of oranges, cucumbers, or placing a handful of berries in your water will make it more enjoyable and may make it easier for you to drink. For some more water infusion recipes, check out this blog post!
Track Your Water Intake
Just as you would track your food intake, tracking your water intake can help you stay on track and see your progress for the day. If you do not have a water bottle, consider getting one that lists the total amount of ounces or has markings on the outside. This helps you stay specific with your water tracking and may motivate you to fill up your bottle more than once throughout the day. You may also want to make marks on your bottle or leave yourself a sticky note reminder with a small goal for each part of your day. For example, setting a goal to drink a certain amount by 10am, 2pm, and 6pm may help you get closer to your minimum goal by the end of the day.
Although it can seem like a big task to hit your minimum water intake each day, there are ways to make it easier for yourself. The next time you are struggling with this, be sure to check out these tips to help you get right back on track.