Are you drinking enough fluids? How many of us have jobs where we do not have enough time to run to the restroom? Be careful to not succumb to drinking enough fluids, as it helps us remove harmful wastes and toxins. Water really is the foundation of life! Being dehydrated can zap our energy and give us headaches. Thirst is also often mistaken for hunger, and therefore if we are dehydrated we may think we're hungry, possibly taking in food calories. No, not everyone needs exactly 8 glasses of water each day. While the 8 glasses per day is not right for everyone, keeping hydrated will help deliver essential nutrients where your body needs them most. The amount of fluids we need vary depending on activity level, environment, health condition and age, however a good rule of thumb is drinking half your weight in kilograms (divide your weight in pounds by 2.2) as ounces. Another rule of thumb is taking your calorie amount per day and turning this into mL of fluid.
I like to gage fluid intake by urine color. If your urine looks like apple juice then it's very likely you need more fluids. Aim for a light lemonade color instead of a darker color. Keep in mind that some supplements (e.g.: B multivitamin) or medications can often alter this color if you take them regularly. Need a reminder? There are many free smartphone applications which remind us throughout the day to drink water. Try them and see if this help should you need that extra push.
