I had a real problem with drinking enough water. I used to live in an area some years ago were tap water was very heavy on the stomach and didn't taste that nice so I unconsciously avoided it and was even cutting on salt so I wouldn't be thirsty. This led me to have bladder infections because the kidneys need enough water to flush out the 'waste'. It took me a while to realize what I was doing to myself with not drinking enough water. I had got used to not drinking enough and didn't feel thirsty. Even now I find it difficult to drink 8 glasses. If I let myself I'll probably only be thirsty for 2 or 3 glasses for the whole day.

From what I was told by the doctor most people don't drink enough water and make other liquids like sodas, coffee or tea their main water source. He said that you need 8 glasses of pure water, the other sources don't count.

I've devised a trick to remind myself how many glasses I've drunk during the day. I simply draw a small line on the back of my wrist (covered by my watch) every time I have a glass so I know where I stand otherwise I'm sure to forget. You may laugh but it's actually very effective.

So you see water is not only helpful for burning fat & making you full so you're not that hungry but it's also essential for your general health.

Good info Here's what i did,i bought myself a 1L(washable)bottle and make sure to drink 2-3 a day.(much faster than counting glasses)It also goes with me where ever i go!

I did the same thing with the Liter bottle. I try to drink it quickly but my bladder feels it pretty quick, so I almost don't want to drink it because I have to pee like every half hour. Do you have to pee often when drinking water...or did you get used to it after while?

oh, heck i know where every public bathroom is along the way (thank goodness for Tim Horton"s the joke around here is if you can't find mommy check the bathroom
i usually split it in 3 1L shots,1 morning, 1 after lunch and then after supper.

I carry my bottle everywhere w/ me... My family swears its like my flask..but you wont find any vodka..just water w/ a small amt of crystal light. I love crystal lights lemonade... I use one packet ( they have travel packets) that keeps my water a little lemony w/ a sweetness to it and it helps me guzzles those ounces..or liters..whatever :-D I drink 96 oz a day...and sometimes more. I also do one or 2 cups of green tea decaf /day w/ a little splenda for sweetness. I honestly get really dry if ive only done 2 bottles instead of the 3..but believe me...I should have a freekin catheter in for how much Im in the bathroom. I think my colleagues think Im doin drugs or somethin!

Nice to know I'm not the only one spending my days in the potty...lol

The recent studies that I saw - stated that you do not have to necessarily drink water - other beverages are fine. Here is some information from CNN.com:
Beyond the tap: Many sources of water

You don't need to sip from your water bottle all day to satisfy your fluid needs. Your diet, including the beverages you drink, can provide a large portion of what you need. In an average adult diet, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake. The remaining 80 percent comes from beverages of all kinds.

Fruits and vegetables — besides being good sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber — contain lots of water. For example, oranges are 87 percent water, and cucumbers are 95 percent water. Milk, juice and other beverages also have large amounts of water. Conversely, dried fruits, nuts, grain products and baked goods generally contain less water.

I ususally drink diet green tea since green tea has so many positive benefits. Don't forget one of the other main reasons why water helps with weight loss - It keeps your hunger in check. Many time we are thirsty but mistake the feeling for being hungry.

You are my hero! I always knew it was good to drink alot of water (and that most people don't drink nearly enough), but I've never seen so much good information together in one place.

Thanks for the help!

another good water link and benefit for weight loss:

http://www.sideroad.com/Diet_and_Nut...ight-loss.html

I tried the water thing for about 4 days and I GAINED weight!! WTF? I was also peeing like crazy.. so I dont' think it was water-weigh.. hmm.. ever heard of anyone actually gaining weight from drinking water. Is it possible the body gets accustomed to less water and learns to funcion better on less? Also, in my family, women retain water like crazy. When I was drinking lots of water, my legs swelled up and so did my upper arms and tummy!.. WHen I stopped and drank less water, the swelling went down.. anyone else ever get this?

What is your sodium intake like? If you take in alot of sodium that could be the problem. Try increasing water and decreasing sodium. I noticed a post on this thread where someone said that other fluids count the same as water and that is simply not correct. If you drink fluids with caffeine, sugar, or sodium. those things will counteract your body's ability to use the water properly. Since we are made of water, it only makes sense that we have to drink water. Kidneys don't work properly, you can easily become dehydrated, and by not drinking water, you will retain water! The body will always try to save itself! As for gaining weight when you increased the water, like I said, try decreasing sodium caffeine and sugar at the same time and give it at least a week! See if that helps. I know when I cut down on the coffee it helped.

Could someone give me a tip or two on how to switch from being a total pop addict to drinking just water? Basically the only thing diet pops have in them is sodium, and tons of it at that! Not to mention the caffine, which is its own beast. But the thing is, I love the carbonated feeling in my mouth, and the little zing of taste with it too - plain water just seems so... PLAIN!

I've tried switching to just water before but couldn't keep it up because my mouth just felt so - this sounds weird, but its the best I can describe it - fuzzy, from not having the carbonation in there.

Beagle, there are lots of fizzy waters that have lemon or orange flavor or other flavors, they have no bad things like nutra-sweet, only water, fizz and slight fruity flavor, canada dry makes it, mendota springs, la croix, lots of them out there.. Good luck.

Does drinking soda really make that big of a difference? i mean i love my soda, diet of course, but if the sodium is making me keep A LOT of water in my body, then i would cut back. I just don't really see the evidence that soda makes that big of a difference. You guys have any input?

Also, i read that you should drink 4 oz for every 15 minutes of working out, if that helps anybody.