7 Ways to Drink More Water

In our previous post, Water Intake: A Quest For Hydration we talked about how and why water is important for every individual, especially those who live active lifestyles and our Vie Girls. This time around, we’re going to talk about how to drink water and more of it. Staying hydrated might be at the end of your day’s task list though. More often than not, we don’t consume nearly enough water to sustain happy cellular function and workout recovery. So how can you get more water throughout your busy days without the extra hassle? We’ve got you covered with our 7 best tips on how to drink more water.

Tip #1: Drink Plain Filtered Water

Plain water is the best form of water to drink for overall hydration. Better yet, maybe it’s time you get a designated water bottle for yourself. We recommend getting a cute one that you can put stickers on from your favorite places, like Vie Athletics (yes, we have stickers!). Look for a water bottle that is BPA free and try to drink filtered water in an effort to avoid harmful toxins and minerals found in tap water, for example.

Tip #2: Add a Little Flavor

Ever had one of that tasty cucumber, or pineapple mint-infused, waters at the spa? Good news, you can make those at home! Adding a little bit of fresh or frozen fruit (and even herbs!) can really make drinking water more enjoyable. For more ideas, check out 27 DIY Fruit-Infused Water To Stay Hydrated by Self Magazine (yum!)

Tip #3: A Glass at Every Meal

This one is a good reminder to hydrate often – drink a glass of water anytime that you eat throughout the day. Before you know it, you’ll be in a great habit and feeling more hydrated than ever. Not to mention, you’ll feel fuller, longer, and be able to digest your food with ease.

Tip #4: Download a Water Tracking App

Having a daily water intake goal is great! It’s absolutely the first step. But how are you going to be successful, during your busy day, at not only drinking enough water but remembering how much you have left to drink? Installing an app, such as Daily Water Free or Carbodroid to your mobile device, can help you to drink water! If you’re not up for downloading an app, you can also set yourself a little alarm on your phone (set to about every hour and a half or two) in an effort to remind yourself to drink a glass of water.

Tip #5: Sparkling Water

When you’re out and about with your girlfriends for a drink, choosing to drink water over alcohol isn’t always easy. We recommend getting a soda water with lime and lemon. It looks like a drink and sort of tastes like a drink, without the calorie intensive and dehydrating characteristics of your favorite mai tai. Sparkling/Mineral water is also a great alternative to soda and/or sugary drinks. It tends to satisfy the want for carbonation without the extra calories and sugar. Which brings us to our next point…

Tip #6: Reduce Alcohol Intake

The only beverages that don’t count toward fluid hydration in the body are alcoholic beverages. These include wine, beer, and hard liquor which all have a diuretic effect and promote the production of urine. If you are going to have a drink (or two), drink a full glass of water between each to replenish what has been lost.

Tip #7: Eat More Raw Foods

You may think that the only way to get hydrated is to drink water. Bet you didn’t know that the food you eat can actually hydrate you, did you?! While food cannot account for all of our hydration (we must still rely on water), fruits and vegetables can improve our body’s fluid levels, naturally. Foods that hydrate includes watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, spinach and even broccoli.

Drinking water consistently and staying hydrated can be… hard! But as hard as it may be for us to remember, it’s that much harder for our bodies to run at their optimum levels without it. What is the importance of water? Why do we need it? And most importantly, how can we get more of it?

Leave us a comment below with your methods of staying hydrated and pick up a Vie sticker from your coach next time you come in for class! Afterall, a hydrated girl is the happiest girl!

♥

Vie