Let’s talk water! Of course water is great for quenching your thirst, but it does so much more than that! It is so important to make sure that you are hydrating yourself so that your body can function properly and feel healthy. Most people aren’t getting nearly enough water every day and sometimes mistake being thirsty for hunger. So next time you feel hungry, ask yourself how much water have you had? Then try gulping down some water first!

So how much water should you drink daily? In general, your daily water intake can be determined by using your current body weight. Most people need to drink roughly half of their weight (in pounds) in ounces. For example, I am 115 pounds, so I will need approximately 57 ½ ounces of water each day, though I like to round up to 60 ounces, and many times just aim for ½ gallon of water (64 ounces). However, don’t feel limited to drink just that….go ahead and drink more!

Do you ever wonder why water is so important to our body? Here are just a few important ways water works in making our bodies function:

• Regulates body temperature
• Moistens tissues in the eyes, nose and mouth
• Protects body organs and tissues
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Lubricates joints
• Lessens burden the on kidneys and liver by flushing out waste products
• Helps dissolve minerals and nutrients to make them accessible to your body
• Helps brain and cognitive function
• Prevents constipation
• Lifts mood and prevents fatigue
• Helps brighten skin

Do you have trouble keeping track of your water intake? I love the HydroMate water bottle! It helps keep you on track throughout the day by providing you with motivational sayings to keep you drinking and to ensure you are fully hydrated. Plus there is no math involved!

If you start to get tired of plain water, don’t hesitate to give it a little flavor! Adding lemons is delicious, but you can use any fresh fruit or even cucumbers. Another great addition to water is electrolyte powders. I look forward to one every day! You don’t want to drink them all day long, but once a day is perfectly fine and recommended to replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat and/or exercise so that our bodies remain in a state of euhydration (normal level of hydration; absence of dehydration or hyperhydration) . You may be wondering, what exactly are electrolytes? Electrolytes are essential minerals—like sodium, calcium, and potassium—that are vital to many key functions in the body. Electrolytes regulate nerve and muscle function, balance blood pH and blood pressure, and help in rebuilding muscle tissue.

So which electrolyte powder should you choose? There are so many of them in the stores, so when deciding which one works best for you, it all depends on the amount of sugar you want to consume, as well as the type of sugar! I stay away from all powders that contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose (because they are not great for my gut health). My favorites are Ultima Replenisher (particularly the grape flavor) and Liquid IV (the tangerine flavor). Ultima Replenishers do not contain sugar; instead, they are sweetened with organic stevia leaf. Liquid IV contains 11 grams of pure cane sugar, so it may not be the optimal choice for anyone that is watching their sugar intake. However, what I love about the tangerine flavor is that it contains vitamin C and zinc, which helps boost my immune system. Keep in mind each brand offers many different flavors, so you can try them all or just grab the flavors that you love.

Hopefully I got you feeling thirsty for a big glass of water. Now go fill up your Hydro Flask or HydroMate bottle and get to drinking!