April 2015 Health Habits Challenge:

Drinking minimum 6-8 cups water/day

We’re three weeks into our Healthy Habits Challenge of drinking at least 6-8 cups of water a day for the entire month of April. I’m really loving the Challenge, I have much more energy, better focus and concentration, my skin looks good, definitely no complaints! I have to say this is the first time in my life that I have been so diligent about drinking plenty of water every day (it’s so hot here in Bali, I’m drinking 3-4 litres/quarts a day!). I feel so good, I never want to go back to being chronically dehydrated again.

Q&As about drinking water

I’ve received a few questions about water I would like to go over today.

When’s the best time to be drinking water?

The best time to be drinking water would be first thing in the morning when you wake up, and also throughout the day.

While you are sleeping you are losing a lot of fluids (we lose fluids from breathing, sweating, and urinating), and overnight you go the longest stretch of time without replenishing those fluids (because you are asleep!). First thing in the morning, you are the most dehydrated, so this is the perfect time to rehydrate yourself.

I would recommend drinking at least one cup of water first thing in the morning, and working your way up to drinking 2-4 cups every morning. For some people drinking water upon rising can be difficult, it may be the last thing they want to do, so if that’s the case for you, start small. Start with even a half a cup of water, and slowly work your way up to drinking more.

If you have a hard time remembering to drink water during the day, then getting into the routine of drinking at least 1 litre/quart in the morning can make a big difference. Not only are you hydrating yourself for the day, but you’re also getting it over with first thing in the morning.

When I drink a lot of water, I need to use the toilet often. What do I do if I’m not allowed to use the toilet frequently during my work shift?

I will first say that if you get into a routine of drinking 2 quarts/litres of water a day, eventually your body does adjust to the increase of fluids. Yes, for most people, the first week or so of any fluid or water increase means using the toilet more frequently. Eventually it does balance out!

What I suggest with your work is to drink the bulk of your water around work, not necessarily all at work. For example, you can drink an abundance of water up to 1 – 2 hours before arriving to work which allows your body enough time to process and eliminate all that water. You can also start drinking more water at the last hour of work, because you know once your shift is done you can freely use the toilet. This doesn’t mean you don’t drink water during work, what it means is drink smaller amounts during your work shift, and drink the larger amounts of water during non-work hours.

What’s the best water to be drinking? 

There are many drinking water options, some better than others!

Every person’s situation is different depending what part of the world you are living, what is available to you, the water quality in your area, your budget, etc.

I would say the best water on earth is fresh, clean spring water directly from a spring. It’s fresh from the Source! There are springs all over the world where you can collect your own drinking water, some are free, others you might have to pay a small fee.

Here is a great website to find a spring in your area: FindASpring.com

Well water is also an option (if it’s clea...