Drink UpThe “Drink More Water” Challenge
Home » Drink Up » Hydration & Water » The “Drink More Water” Challenge
Your body is about 60 percent water. Yes, this means your skin, muscles, and brain are mostly water, making proper hydration key to a healthy body. Good ol’ H2O is the way to go when it comes to beverages.
For one week, I’m challenging you to drink 64 ounces of water every day. That’s eight eight-ounce glasses, and one of the easiest ways to get five glasses in without even thinking is to make sure you have one before every meal (assuming you are having three meals and two snacks daily).
Having a tall glass of water before each meal will not only add to your daily hydration, but it will help you eat a little less at your meal, improve your skin, put you in a better mood (nobody likes a dehydrated camper!), and even give you more energy. Yep, indulge in a tall glass of water before you eat anything and you’ll see results fast in so many ways. For real. Drink up!
What’s In It for You?
- Eat less at meals.
- Improve your mood.
- Help your skin glow.
- Lose and maintain weight.
- Feel more energized.
Your 7-Day Challenge to Drink Water (64 Ounces!) Every Day
Day 1: Get a New Water Bottle. Since some of your meals will not be eaten at home, invest in a BPA-free, refillable water bottle that you can carry with you—everywhere. I always recommend snagging one that holds 32 ounces, so you just have to remember to fill it twice in one day, and boom! 64 ounces down the hatch.
Day 2: Add Basic Flavor. Boost your water with the juice of a lemon wedge. Not only will this give your water a little extra flavor (making you want to drink more), the added antioxidants can boost your immune system and will give you a little extra perk. Not into lemon? Mix in a scoop of Life’s Abundance Antioxidants and Minerals and swallow 74 plant-based trace minerals and antioxidants from 11 nutrient-rich super fruits without even blinking. It also makes plain water taste delish.
Day 3: Drink in Line. In line to buy lunch? Drink your glass of water while you’re waiting. By the time you get your lunch, you’ll be ready to eat…and you’ll be hydrated for all of that heavy fork lifting.
Day 4: Go for Bubbles. Replace your glass of water at one meal today with a tall glass of seltzer water. You don’t need the bubbles from champagne to feel a little festive, and who says champagne glasses are only for champagne? Here’s permission to get fancy sans alcohol. But fair warning—if you bloat easily, you may wanna skip this one, as all those bubbles can add to this problem.
Day 5: Herb it Up. Instead of just squeezing in a piece of citrus, add some fresh herbs to your water. Basil and mint make great herbaceous waters and seriously, how pretty does it make it? I promise you: somebody will ask you what’s in your water that day, so it’s a great conversation starter. Just in case.
Day 6: Go for Spicy Water. Kickstart your day by adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to your water. The capsaicin in the cayenne will boost your metabolism, and it’ll give you a little jolt to make sure you’re really paying attention to your hydration.
Day 7: Rewrite Your Ritual. Now that you’re used to drinking a full glass of water before each meal, plan on making this a habit in the future. This can be a new ritual for you. Jot it down. Sticky note on the mirror, food journal entry, diary story, calendar reminders—whatever your writing preference, make it happen.
4 Tips to Help You Drink Water More Often
Be prepared. Make sure you always have a water bottle with you so you don’t miss out on your glass of water.
Need a little something extra? Feel free to sip on unsweetened green or herbal tea or organic coffee during your meals. Just don’t skimp on the water.
Replenish your body. Got your sweat on? Then you might need to replenish your body with electrolytes while you’re hydrating. But don’t turn to sugary sports drinks with artificial ingredients in fluorescent colors. Instead, look to coconut water, or even better, and all-natural electrolyte replacement.
Drink mindfully. Really take the time to sit and enjoy your glass of water before your meal. After you finish, sit and think about how hungry you are. Did the water fill you up a little? Listen to your body.
Share your success. Talk with girls, friends, family, and co-workers about drinking water before meals. Having someone share in this ritual may help you succeed at the challenge.
The Nutritious Life Editors are a team of healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who not only subscribe to — and live! — the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life, but also have access to some of the savviest thought leaders in the health and wellness space — including our founder and resident dietitian, Keri Glassman. From the hottest trends in wellness to the latest medical science, we stay on top of it all in order to deliver the info YOU need to live your most nutritious life.
RECENT ARTICLES
Want a sneak peek inside the program?
Get FREE access to some of the core training materials that make up our signature program – Become a Nutrition Coach.
Get Access
