According to WebMD you should drink 1/2 oz of water for each pound you weigh.  So if you weigh 150 lbs you should drink 75- 150 oz of water a day.  If you exercise a lot or live in a hot climate, you will need to drink more.

Most people don’t drink enough water daily.  That’s why a lot of those new water bottles that light up to remind you to drink are becoming more popular.

But can drinking a lot of water really help you to lose weight?

It’s been said that many people can’t tell the difference between being hungry and being thirsty.    They eat when they really should just drink a glass of water.

Staying properly hydrated will help you to feel more full and you can avoid eating unnecessarily.

Research has shown that if you drink a full glass of water before each meal, you can eat as much as 75 fewer calories per meal.  Multiple that by 365 and it really adds up!

The health benefits of drinking water

Water doesn’t just help you feel fuller so you eat less, but its necessary to aid in your digestion.  Water helps your kidneys to function better, which helps make sure that you don’t become constipated.

Also if you are chronically dehydrated you can develop kidney stones.

How you can get more water in each day

• Get in the habit of carrying a water bottle with you to work or school.  Depending on how big the bottle is, (mine is 30 oz)  drink it till its empty and refill.
• Set goals for yourself.  I get to work by 8:30 / 9.  My first goal is to finish my 30 oz water bottle by lunch.   And at lunch I refill it.  My goal is to make sure I get at least 60 oz of water in during the day.
• Download an app.  There are a lot of them that you can use for free.   I like “Water Tracker” by Grasshopper.  It sends me reminders throughout the day to drink water.  I can also keep track of how much water I drink per day.
• Drink your water all throughout the day.  It’s not a good thing to try and drink all your water at one time.
• Replace at least 1 cup of coffee or soda with a glass of water.
• Keep a glass of water by your bedside, so the first thing you do in the morning is have a glass of water.