Water - How Much Should You Drink a Day?

As much as people look for the magic, new pill to help them lose weight or get it under control, that many people also miss the one, best micronutrient right in front of them.  It is basically free (or not – it is up to you), taste great and has zero calories.  Yes, that would be water.

I got to thinking about water today after my workout.  I hit my legs, shoulder area, and abs pretty hard today.  Bodylastics bands are not for faint of heart.  Every work out, I generate just a little more respect for Blake Kassel, the guy who invented Bodylastics.  I enjoy using it.

Anyway, I worked out in a small room that once I closed the window had no ventilation.  10 minutes into the workout and I was sweating like I was in a sauna.  The sweat dripped from my body like rain.

And during my 45 minute workout, I drank about a liter of water.  What I drank though; I sweated right out, I am sure.

If I listened to all the "experts," then I basically drank half my daily, suggested water intake in that 45 minute period.  Of course, that is not the case, so I wanted to break it down a little more.

Occasionally I get asked about how much water a person should drink.  My standard answer is to drink about a cup an hour.  That would equate to about 13 to 15 cups a day.  I came up with this number because  it seemed like an easy way to go.

So, how much water is that?  Well, assume that a cup is 8 ounces.  15 cups would come to 120 ounces or just shy of a gallon.  That is a lot of water.  At first blush, it might be too much water.  But before we reach that conclusion, let us break down that usage a little more.

The average person loses just under 6 and ½ cups of water through urine.  We also lose about another 4 cups through bowel movements, sweating, breathing, and the rest of our everyday bodily functions.  So, on average, we lose over 10 cups a day.

So, we basically need at least 10 cups just to replace what we lose naturally through the course of the day.

But now factor in where you live and how you live your lifestyle.  I live in paradise.  Everyday is warm (hot), sunny and my sweat glands are constantly working.  Throw in a workout like today and that extra 3 or 5 cups are all used.  Also, understand that even in cooler climates, you sweat all day long, not as noticeably as in a warmer locale; but sweat you do.

I am not a registered dietician but I believe it is important that we not just drink to replace what we lose theoretically.  If we are active all day long, then we should have a steady flow of fluids coming in.  But as with cash flow, income must match outgo; but having a little extra is always nice to have.

And water is so important, in so many ways.  From flushing the toxins from your body to transporting food to your cells, staying hydrated is not an optional choice.

And worth noting, you can replace water with fluids.  Milk, juices, and sport drinks all count toward your water "quota."  In fact, food usually accounts for 20% of our fluid intake.  Think about all the fruits and veggies you eat - it is all mostly water.

So, 2 or 3 tall glasses of milk, 1 or 2 glasses of orange juice, and maybe a gatorade; and voila, you just killed about 6 or 8 cups of water.  Soda is, yes, a fluid – but no soda's or alcohol!  Coffee can count, in moderation, as can tea's.

Lastly, don't let thirst be a guide.  If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated.  Just drink a cup of water (or fluid - no soda or beer - oh, stop the crying) an hour and you will be flushing all the toxins away, clearing your skin, and be all happy and stuff.  Can't beat that!

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