.png "English"){kind=small}
The challenge is to drink a gallon of water each day for a month. Sorry, but I got halfway through my gallon by lunchtime and knew that it wasn't even feasible for me to do an entire gallon each day - unless I cut out all other fluid sources (coffee, fruit, veggies, etc). I will be shooting for a minimum of 100 ounces each day.
Because I know that it's beneficial to ones health (and vanity) to drink more water, I am sticking to the challenge, but I modified the amount. Not by much, but...
First, because it makes my brain hurt, let's get some math and recommendations out of the way:
- A 'cup' = 8 ounces
- A gallon (U.S.) = 128 ounces
- Certain factors need to be considered to determine individual fluid needs
- Here is a conversion chart for those who need it
- Foods that count as fluid (useful for those on a kidney diet - but see your doctor!)
Of course, we can find lots of benefits to drinking more water - or, I should say, enough water. I have to tell you that, even after just one day of drinking close to 100 ounces, I noticed one major difference: my hands didn't go bone dry in between moisturizing. Here are some other effects of getting enough water:
- May help prevent some kidney problems.
- Water helps us feel full so it can help with weight loss
- Helps with food digestion
- Provides hydration which helps with skin issues
- Prevents dehydration. Uh, duh!
Even though there are lots of benefits to drinking water, I do hope people doing these water challenges realize there are also some risks to overdoing it:
- People with certain medical conditions/treatments have to watch fluid intake (dialysis patients, for example)
- There is such a thing as water intoxication.
- And, on a common sense level, don't let water replace intake of proper nutrition
- Always check with your doctor before making any drastic changes - even drinking lots of water for a challenge
I don't think I am going to have to worry about overhydration. I made it halfway through the day and realized why my pedometer app was sending me kudos for almost doubling my daily step level. I made so many trips to the bathroom that I was getting plenty of exercise. That made me want to laugh, but I was in the middle of the grocery store and too far from a bathroom to get into a giggle fit.
Lots of people are talking about drinking more water. I like this idea -
 |
| (source) |
This is what my gallon jug looked like a couple hours before I went to bed last night (or attempted to) -
 |
| sigh... |
Yeah. Then, after that, I still managed to put down another 16 ounces or so. It took me three tries to actually settle down and sleep. The first time, I was back up every twenty minutes or so, trotting to the bathroom. (And I found this both high-larious and useful!!!)
This is what I'm using to drink from.
It's an 18 ounce bottle that I picked up at Walmart for around $1.08. I feel like I can drain it pretty quick without feeling like I've got a ton of water to drink. It's a good way to pace my intake.
Today, I am going to try to get the first 80 ounces down before 6 or 7 pm. That way, I might be able to get a no-trot night of sleep before church tomorrow.
I'm thinking that I might ought to mark my gallon jug the way some people are doing -
 |
| Love this one the best (source) |
I love it! Looks so much better than what I did to mine this morning...
 |
| a little uninspiring :-( |
Yeah. I'm going to be re-doing my bottle! LOL
Anyway, I'll be letting you know how the whole thing goes. If nothing else, I will lost a few pounds from all the extra walking to the bathroom!
 |
| yeah, that's me on the left |
Peace
--Free
