For the past 10 days, this brave work-at-home mom with nerves of steel made sure she got exactly 70 ounces of water a day. Over this time, I learned why doctors insist people drink more water. Here’s what you can expect:
1. I Peed … a Lot
The first thing I discovered is that if your body isn’t used to drinking so much water, you’re going to use the bathroom at least a couple of times a morning. One interesting side note is that my pee was much clearer than usual. After a quick Google search, I learned that this meant my kidneys were working great. So, thanks water for protecting my kidneys!
2. The Munchies Disappeared
This is one of the things that surprised me the most. During my 10 day experiment, I gradually noticed that my cravings for chocolate started to disappear. I wouldn’t turn down a few scoops of chocolate ice-cream if you offered, but I don’t feel the same pull for chocolate or snacks as before. It turns out this is real science. The munchies are often caused by dehydration, not because you’re hungry. Yeah, the brain is pretty weird sometimes.
3. I Have More Energy
As someone who LOVES coffee with her heart and soul, I was pleasantly surprised to see that drinking more water meant I didn’t need to brew a pot for the afternoon. I wasn’t sleepy, depressed or dragging my feet. My mind is more alert. I rely less on pick-me-ups during the day. Dehydration is one of the main causes of fatigue, so it’s no surprise that staying hydrated feels SO FREAKING INCREDIBLE for your muscles, your brain and your mood.
4. My Skin Looks Phenomenal
I’m not the kind of person who spends tons of time with makeup. I tend to focus on my “natural beauty,” AKA pray that my hair doesn’t get tangled as I toss on my pajamas for working from home. However, I made a surprising discovery after upping my water intake: My skin is shockingly lustrous and smooth! Apparently, staying hydrated on the inside directly leads to the amount of moisture your skin gets. In fact, drinking plenty of water can be more effective than applying moisturizer to dry skin. Who knew?!
The Secret To Staying Hydrated
I’m not normally forgetful, but remembering to get those eight glasses of water was more of a challenge than I expected. Here are a few ways to stay on track:
In case you’re wondering, 70 ounces of water is basically half a gallon a day. It’s about eight glasses, but eight of those tiny plastic cups, not eight huge drinking glasses. I definitely recommend taking on your own 70-oz. water challenge!