Increasing water intake

They make water bottles that have lines on the side with times you should be done drinking each line by. I’m not sure if that would help you! I drink a ton of water throughout the day so this isn’t something I personally struggle with.

I always try to start my day by drinking a glass of water before any food or coffee. About 10-12 ounces. You can also do that before every meal so you know you’re drinking at least 30 ounces a day! If you don’t already, get a water bottle with little hash marks indicating how many ounces it holds. That way you can see exactly how much water you’re drinking. Also, if you work at a desk, it’s super easy to fill it up and keep it on your desk all day! That way, you’re reminded to drink something, and soon all those sips add up and you have to refill it! But, if you feel really full, don’t force yourself to drink it. Finally, if drinking plain water gets boring, you can always infuse it with fruit or veggies or flavor it with a couple squirts of a flavor enhancer! Just check to make sure there’s no added sugars (I personally like Mio). Good luck!

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I have tried that, but still fail to drink when needed due to not feeling thirsty...so its out of my mind.

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I can't drink water without something in my stomach already or it makes me sick.

I have tried the water bottles with the oz and times marked on it but because I don't ever feel thirsty, I never think about it.

I do like water, and lemon water even more so...but again it goes back to me just not thinking about drinking.

View Quoted Comment Ah, I see! I think you just have to start making it a habit then. You could always set hourly reminders on your phone to drink some water? That could potentially help.

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Oooh! good thinking, I never thought about doing reminders. Thanks!

View Quoted Comment No problem! Good luck! 😊

I would cut your morning black coffee to 1 cup (or maybe alternate with green tea). What helps me is either setting alarms to remind me to drink water, or getting one of those bottles that has times written on it (so you know to drink this much by 9 AM, this much by lunch, etc.). I also noticed putting fruit in my water makes me more likely to drink it. I got in a routine of drinking a glass of water when I wake up and right before bed, so that was helpful since even though I wasn't thirsty it was just routine.

I'm the same way. A friend that works in fitness said what she does is each time she goes to drink water she drinks for 5+ seconds instead of just taking a sip. Taking constant sips wasn't working for me because I don't feel consistently thirsty so I forget so drinking more at once is helping me get more water in. I've been able to drink 6 bottles (12 cups) of water a day by doing this!

I have a cup with a straw at my desk. I usually make sure I fill it up right after work and put it right in front of me. Because I really don't do much at work, I will generally rest my chin on my lid and just keep the straw right in front of my face. Which pretty much forces me to remember to drink some water.

I use an app that helps me remember to drink water. Its called plant nanny and every time you drink water you water your plant. You have to keep watering your plant to keep it alive. It gave me something else to work toward rather than just drinking water.

My co worker and I set up reminders on our work computers so that we can #1 get up and stretch and #2 drink water.

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This is a good idea! I'll try this today since I also struggle with drinking more water.

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Thanks, I will have to try this!!

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I will have to look into that, thanks!

It really helps me to drink from a straw. Idk it just goes down easier.

Yes! There are apps that remind you to drink water! But I always ignored them. LOL I'm the worst. I also have trouble drinking water. I'm never thirsty either and sometimes the smell of water makes me feel nauseous. I find it easier to drink if there's a flavor enhancer in it, or if I use a straw. And I LOVE that carbonated waters are big again because they're so easy to find and it sort of tricks me into thinking I'm drinking a soda but without all the sugar so I get my hydration in.

Just like you, I can't just drink water on an empty stomach - it hurts my guts LOL. So I will have a little something to eat and then have a glass of water/carbonated water. Also, keep ice around. Like crunchy ice! Ice is just water and chewing on it will help get some extra oz. of water in you, too.

I find that a rewards system works for me. Like... "I can have that square of chocolate if I drink this glass of water first." or "When I finish drinking this bottle of water, I can start binge watching on Hulu, and not a moment sooner." When I reward myself for good behavior I stick to it more often than not. Pretty soon, I just got used to having a bottle of water before settling in with the TV at night, and I definitely remind myself I need water if I'm going to "misbehave" by eating junk food.

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Have you tried drinking sparkling water instead? It provides 98% of the hydration that still water does, and it's more pleasant to drink if you're not feeling thirsty. It comes in a bunch of flavours, too! Just make sure you don't buy any with added sweeteners!

I had this same issue! I never felt thirsty but it what I started doing was when my mind was telling me two sips was enough, I just pushed on to keep drinking. When I get hungry, I keep drinking water first. You will start to feel bloated but that's fine cause you pee it all out lol!

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I definitely need to start drinking water before meals or if I don't feel full more often!