You know you need to drink more water but you just can't seem to make it work? With so many benefits, avoiding water just isn't an option when it comes to overall health. These easy tips are going to teach you how to drink more water even when you hate it!
Being well hydrated plays a role in your digestion, hunger, mental clarity, mood, and skin... and that's just to name a few! the benefits of water are endless given that every cell in our body needs it to thrive.
And though taking in fluids in general is important, when it comes to our health or weight loss, we truly just need more basic water. If you truly hate water and can't seem to get it in, these hacks will help.
How Much Water Should I Drink Each Day?
I tell clients to consume roughly 2-2.5L of water per day (or .66 gallons) in addition to what they take in with food (here's how to convert oz to gallons FYI).
Between sugary soft drinks, crazy coffees, and lack of quality food, many people aren't even close. Most people are deceived into thinking they're hydrated when they're not (a main reason why my daughters don't drink juice boxes).
Subtle signs like poor skin, fatigue, irregular bowels, and headaches all signify a lack of hydration. However, most people just accept them as part of their day and move on. Learning to drink more water can be a turning point once you get into it.
How To Drink More Water When You Hate It
Use the tips below to help you drink more water throughout the day and reap the benefits of better skin, energy, digestion, and clarity.
If you can, pick 2-3 of the systems below and implement them ASAP. It takes a solid few weeks to change a habit or create a new one, so give it time and really muster through.
Keep water nearby always
This sounds too practical to be advice.
If you leave your house- bring a water bottle.
If you're watching TV- have a glass on the table.
If you're working, have a bottle on your desk.
Just making it accessible makes you more likely to sip on it. I actually love these big water bottles so that I don't have to keep filling them. I fill it for the morning and then it goes with me EVERYWHERE.
Buy a fancy water bottle
For some reason, having a bright, colorful, nice bottle on the side of the desk makes people more prone to drinking water at work. Don't be boring- invest in a bright, durable bottle.
FYI: these are the best eco-friendly water bottles for kids! We have a couple of them but our favorite is the Thermos Funtainer Range.
For myself personally, I have a BKR water bottle. I have the 1 liter one which is a pain to carry around but it also makes it so I know how much to drink each and every day.
Flavor it
Adding in fruits, lemons, herbs anything you actually like will entice you to drink more. Ideally, try to stay away from artificial flavors as they come with their own set of issues. However, if you're just starting out and that's what makes you get your 2 liters in, do it.
My favorites are adding in strawberries or watermelon. It's fresh and has a bit of flavor which makes it refreshing. Learn more about how to naturally flavor water.
This does make it so you need to plan ahead a bit. However, if it means you'll hit your water goals than it's worth it!
Make it part of your routine
When I was first starting to up my water intake I made it a rule that I had to have a full glass prior to every meal.
Since I would never forget food I always remembered my water. While it sucked having to gag the water down, it did the trick. This is called habit-pairing and it works like a charm. Worst case scenario- set an alarm.
Exercise
Yes, another benefit of workouts- you'll be thirsty!
And in an ideal world, it'll be water that you grab to rehydrate. The truth is, normally once you notice your thirst you're already a bit dehydrated. It's only natural to have water with you during a sweat session so start moving!
Set a water goal
Just like any other healthy habit, setting a specific goal helps you to remain accountable.
Instead of saying "I need to drink more water" make it specific with amounts and start off small while you scale up. A good start is "I need to drink four full water bottles each day".
Once you have a goal, outline our actionable steps. Set an alarm on your phone 8 times per day to drink half a bottle.
Prep your water the night before
If you have a specific water goal, why not prep your water for the day before just like you make easy meal prep hacks a priority.
I have two-liter big jugs I drink out of so before I go to bed each night I fill them both. This way in the morning, they're ready and waiting.
I just need to grab one and then the other and I know exactly how much I've taken in.
Use Chilled Loose Leaf Tea
If you really hate water, try weaning down from flavored drinks with herbal, loose leaf tea.
The important part of upping your water intake is hydrating. Make up a big batch of tea, chill it, and set to work.
It keeps the flavor fresh and different while still giving your body the hydration it needs. Then as you master the habit, swap out one glass of tea for regular water.
Track it
When learning to drink more water- track your intake!
An app, a pencil, and paper, or marks on the edge of the bottle (like in this super colorful bottle). Know how much water you're currently drinking so you know how much more you need in the day.
Use Flavored Ice Cubes
Some people hate water and especially warm water.
Juice some lemons, freeze them as ice cubes, and add that to your bottle of water. Not only will you have a refreshing flavor but it will be chilled too!
Try coconut water
An amazing way to get more natural electrolytes and unbelievably hydrating, coconut water is a great choice for people who hate water.
Just make sure to grab a brand that doesn't add in any sugar to their cartons or you're defeating the purpose of drinking more water.
Don't forget to pin these tips to drink more water each day!
More Easy Wellness Tips
- Strength training for beginners
- How to work out at home
- Benefits of resistance training
- Upper and lower split
- The best way to eliminate dairy
- How to eat more protein
Wrap Up
There are lots of ways to learn to drink more water. You just need to get creative and work at it. Making sure that a lot of your intake comes from food is key also.
Consuming nutrient-dense foods (like vegetables) versus calorie-dense foods (like processed foods) is an easy way to keep you hydrated. Foods like watermelon and cucumbers are also naturally higher in water and great to snack on.
Water is vital for our systems to function and even more important for them to function optimally.
While there are tricks and tips you can use, at the end of the day you've just got to suck it up and drink more water.
Shannon C. says
Great tips! I'm all about flavoring my water, when I drink water. I'll be the first to admit that I don't drink near enough water each day. I know that, on the rare occasions that I do exercise, I have absolutely no problem drinking plain water! Thanks for the tips!
fitasamamabear says
If flavoring works- rock it! I'm a water fiend now but I wasn't always so whatever works roll with it 🙂
Ashlee says
Great post! I am SO bad about drinking water, and I cannot seem to keep up with remembering to drink it. I will take all of the tips I can get, I need to pick up a cute bottle, that is definitely something that may get me into drinking more water. For someone who is so obsessed with skincare, you would think I would drink a ton!
Ashlee
fitasamamabear says
It's a tricky habit t get it to, you definitely have to work for it. But it CAN be done- and cute bottles definitely help 😉
Shalini says
Really helpful tips!! Water is vital for the body, it has numerous benefits. I drink 2-3 glass of water in the morning when I wake up and keep a bottle of water on my desk during work and make sure that I don't forget to drink it. Thanks for sharing other tips as well.
fitasamamabear says
Keeping a bottle nearby is so so key to remembering! Love that you've got your routine down pat 😀
jhilmil says
Water helps body so much. I usually get up very early and make sure that I have 4 glasses of water in the morning to cleanse up my system. And then I have set water goals as you said. Great tips!
fitasamamabear says
That's awesome that you have a system already- I love it! I GUZZLE water in the morning. It makes me feel so much better and more energized
Michelle says
Great tips! Water is very important for a mama to keep up with her busy life. I always take a water bottle with me & sometimes I chill it overnight in fridge.
fitasamamabear says
YES! You go through so much energy as a mom you need water to just survive the day! I like super cold water first thing in the morning, for some reason it's a necessity 😛
Suzanne Spiegoski says
Drinking plenty of water on an everyday basis has always been tough for me, I'm a huge caffeine addict. But flavored waters do help!
fitasamamabear says
I was the same so you're not alone! It's a really hard habit change. Keeping it fresh with new flavors at least helps it not be boring 🙂 keep at it!