The Drink More Water Challenge
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Water is a very controversial issue these days. There are millions of people who do not have access to safe and healthy drinking water. Note: this is not just abroad. Flint, Michigan is still in the midst of an extreme water access problem. Other states are finding contaminated water problems and political issues blocking proper access. I definitely take advantage of this important resource, and I want to call attention to just how important water really is to the body and a healthy lifestyle of Great Vibes.
The brain and heart are composed of 73% water, the lungs about 83%, our skin 64%, and our muscles and kidneys are about 79%. Even our bones are watery! They clock in with about 31% of a concentration. Imagine how much your body suffers if you are not drinking enough water or getting a safe supply.
Dehydration causes an exceptional amount of health issues you might not associate with a lack of water. Short term memory can get a little fuzzy, it is the main cause for afternoon fatigue, and those pesky tension headaches can all be caused from too little H20. It's been found that not guzzling enough water can lead to holding onto excess weight (almost 10 pounds worth!), unexplained stress and anxiety, and a build up of toxins in your system.
So now that you've probably freaked out, let's get you drinking an adequate amount for your body.
Generally the rule of thumb is if you are thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated, but some recent studies have shown that might not necessarily be true. Either way, if you are thirsty, drinking more water should be your MO. We're going to start small and build up to a level that feels comfortable for you.
While everyone puts in their own two cents, the old standby is 64 ounces of water a day, or eight 8 oz. glasses. Some will say half of your body weight in ounces should be consumed, so if you weigh 150 pounds, you might aim for 75 oz. of water a day. Also, the types of food being consumed (some have more water content than others like celery versus beans) and the type of exercise you engage in regularly (the more you sweat, the more you want to replenish) must be considered.
This challenge is going to start you out small with just four, 8 oz. glasses of water the first four days. This is the traditional size of a reusable water bottle. I highly encourage investing in a nice glass or stainless steel one you keep on you always to stay hydrated and meet your challenge. You can do this! I'll be keeping up with you, so check in if you're struggling, and let's get started.
The Drink More Water Challenge ::
