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Scrolling through the forums I noticed this question comes up quite a bit. There is a lot of controversy over how much water an individual needs to consume per day. The one thing everyone can agree on is water is crucial for good health. Every system in our body depends on it!
Everyone has heard of the old rule of eight glasses of water a day. All things considered most individuals require more than that. But the truth is there is no black and white answer. Water consumption varies greatly from individual to individual.
I wanted to hear what other’s had to say. These are the most common answers that I heard throughout the fitness community.
- I probably do not get enough I know, I do not. I usually only get in maybe 6 cups; if I am lucky. But I just don’t drink like I should.
- I honestly don’t know how much I drink in a day, but I’m hydrated enough, so it’s not a problem.
- I get 1.5-2 gallons a day. In basic training we had to drink 8-12, 32ounce canteens a day and 3+ glasses of water or “flavorade” with each meal. It’s tough if you aren’t accustomed to it.
- I take in around no less than 1 gallon a day.
- I get most of mine from the 3/4 gallon of milk and the 3-20 ounce bottles of crystal light I drink.
- When I am on the east coast I get about one glass a day of pure water. In Colorado I drink 1-2 gallons a day!
- I shoot for a gallon a day, I’m a water holding ‘MoFo.’
- I lost 3 lbs today just from sweating after I drank a gallon of water; it weighs 8 lbs!
- I get in around 4 litres or so per day.
- Around a gallon a day this includes my black coffee.
- I drink 400ml of water with creatine, and 400ml of whole milk with protein powder, a cup of coffee, and several cups of tea. I do that every day. And if I ever feel thirsty beyond that, I’ll have some water, or something else that isn’t caffeinated. And up to about 1 liter, on gym days when I train.
- Not nearly enough.
- One full gallon a day.
- I sip water all day long at work and at home chug about 10 glasses a day.
- I drink enough, so that I don’t feel the need to drink more. The only times I have set amounts to drink is the day after a competition or a competition prep session when I don’t feel thirsty, but feel a lot better if I keep fluids in me.
- I honestly don’t pay attention to how much water I drink, but I’m sure I’m drinking enough. I drink coffee in the morning till about 10am then I switch to water. These are the only 2 things I drink on a daily basis. I drink all the time because I’m always hungry and I count calories every day, so filling my belly with water helps with the hunger. My girlfriend seems to think I have a problem because I get up in the night for the bathroom at least 3 times and sometimes 4! This is a good indication for me that I am drinking enough water.
- During the week when I get up at 3 am, then start the training session at about 4:45, and then get to work by 7 am, I will get up and drink water first thing (about 3 glasses), and follow it with 2 servings of old fashioned oatmeal (more lasting carbohydrates), and then drink some orange juice (to bring sugar level up, post sleep). At the same time though, I drink one full pot of coffee between 3 am and 4:45 AM, which is a monster mild diuretic. So, yes, I start pissing well before starting my training session.
- I usually drink water during the day and let my urine color guide how much I drink. On a side note, whether I get thirstier or not during the day; it largely depends on how many carbohydrates I consume within my dietary period of 24 hours. They assist you in retaining water or losing it, depending on your consumption level, and liver depletion.
- In the hot season, maybe 8-10 liters a day.
- I personally drink no less than 2 gallons a day, but I think the most I can get away with a gallon a day.
- I have no idea. I drink a large amount of milk, a couple of cups of coffee and a bottle of water, here and there.
- I shoot for 8 cups a day. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it don’t.
- A gallon a day.
- I barely drank any water as I was always addicted to diet pop. But in the last 5 months or so that has totally changed, I rarely drink pop, only occasionally on the weekend. I have switched to Crystal Light packets that I add water to. And now I probably drink at least a gallon of water a day.
- I used to drink just a few cups, but then I really started to make sure that I was getting at least 8 cups a day. Since then I feel better, my skin does look better, and I do not tend to overeat as much.
As you can see there is a pretty big grey area. The amount of water you consume varies from person to person. The climate you live in and your physical activity levels are just several factors to be considered into how much water your body needs on a daily basis.
Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. The bottom line is to ensure you are sufficiently hydrated drink plenty of fluid throughout the day. Milk, juice and other beverages count as well.
Ironically as I am wrapping up this article I am preparing for surgery tomorrow morning. I was told to drink twice as much today to ensure that I am adequately hydrated. I would write a little more, but what goes in must come out!
How much water do you drink in a day? Let us know in the comment section below.
