Hello!

Before I decided to become a healthy person I never drank water. Now I can’t imagine a day without it. As the weather cools down it can be a little harder to drink eight glasses a day. You do need to stay hydrated all year round, so don’t slacken off in winter.

Apart from the obvious signs of having a dry mouth there are a number of other signs that tell you it’s time to hydrate. If you find yourself yawning mid-afternoon grab a glass of water. Next time you have a headache, before reaching for the aspirin try drinking a big glass of water. Dry skin can also be a sign you’re not getting enough H2O.

If you need more reasons to drink water, I have the best reason – staying hydrated can help you lose weight! Here’s how:

  • Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger. Next time you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water instead of raiding the pantry or fridge.
  • Feeling tired in the afternoons can be a big reason people reach for high sugar snacks, the simple solution – stay hydrated.
  • If you are not drinking adequate water your body will retain fluid.

Set a goal each day to drink your water. If you currently drink no water, make your first goal to drink three glasses of water each day for a week. Drink one glass when you get up, one at lunch time and one at dinner time. Then the next week add another glass and gradually build up to your eight glasses a day.

I often get asked, what counts as water? Things like coffee, tea and alcohol are not going to add to your daily water tally. In fact, all drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol are actually diuretics which means they dehydrate you.

Sugary drinks such as soft drinks and cordial are full of empty calories and don’t count towards your daily eight glasses. Sports drinks were originally designed for elite athletes to combat depleted electrolyte and glycogen levels; unless you’re training for the Olympics, stay away from these.

In winter it can be hard to face a cold glass of water.

So what are the best no-calorie options to stay hydrated?

  • The best choice is water; leave the jug on the bench rather than putting it in the fridge.
  • A cup of warm water with a slice of lemon is a nice change to plain water.
  • Herbal teas help to keep you hydrated; my favourite is peppermint.

If you struggle to remember to drink up why not install a water App on your phone to remind you.

Do you struggle to drink water in winter? What tips do you have?

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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  • ive always been a good water drinker. If for some reason I dont get my water I end up feeling sick with a headache.

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  • I don’t drink enough water. There are days I can go without a single glass. I drink a lot of coffee and tea so I know I have to be stricter on myself. I have just bought a variety of the cold infusion herbal teas so glad to hear they are good alternative to plain water.

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  • Yes I suggest to keep a 2L bottle literally with you at all times during winter to prompt you to keep hydrated.

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  • I have one of those huge 2L water bottles, so easy to track how much youve drunk that day, I refill before bedtime.

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  • Not sure if it’s because I’m breastfeeding but I’m finding that I’m always dehydrated and it shows on my lips being always dry. I try to keep up drinking enough water and keeping to decaf coffee and tea but still dry and winter hasn’t started!

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  • I feel any liquid drink is count as water, as long as it doesn’t have sugar.

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  • I have found I’m drinking more herbal tea on the cooler days to warm up. Love my coffee but I know it’s dehydrating too.

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  • Timely reminder so easy to not drink water in winter just having my herbal tea , warm water feels so good too

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  • Even though it is a nuisance, my water bottle is always with me. I try to drink this bottle twice each day with water lvls for different times of the day.

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  • We all need to drink more water, it’s the best thing for us,

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  • Water Is the key. We all need to drink more of it

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  • I always thought that any water intake counts however I only drink water plan so easy for me to count the glasses.

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  • I’m not a water drinker unless I drop a tea bag or two in it. I have no idea how I could possibly chug down eight glasses of the stuff a day and I’ve tried herbal teas — they taste foul. Kudos to all who do the right thing. I’m hopeless and should try your tip to start small and work my way up to eight glasses.

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  • I try to drink ample water each day. I certainly notice it on the days I don’t !

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  • I work outside on our farm everyday and find that if I don’t keep up with drinking my water that I get a headache. I don’t drink nearly enough but try to replenish when I stop for meals. Hot days are a problem for me so I take lots of water with me. I have learnt that my body needs water but I have to be very disciplined to drink enough.

    Reply

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