In the year 2000, I experienced the end of a relationship. I’d put more years into this relationship than I had any other beyond my family. To say there was an immense amount of love is an understatement. To say there was attachment is just getting started. I could not image my life without this relationship, but I knew what had to be done. About a month after it ended, I thought maybe I was missing something and I went back for a little taste. It burned, it felt awkward, and it surprisingly left me completely unsatisfied, more than ever before. Instantly I knew it would never be the same again, and I said goodbye once and for all. Now, almost 14 years later, there’s still not a single day, I’d even say not a single moment, that I’ve regretted my decision. Luckily it didn’t take long to find a replacement and that replacement has been more serving and satisfying than I could ever image. To this day, my new relationship is still my top priority no matter what kind of day I’ve had, what choices I’ve made, or where I travel. I can honestly say I’m committed for life…or until death do us part.
I committed to stop drinking soda (soft drinks, as we often say in the South; pop, for you mid-Westerners; and I’m not sure what they say in Canada…eh?). I switched to only non-carbonated beverages, other than the occasional adult beverage. Originally, I made this choice in an effort to change my dieting habits and hopefully lose some weight. After immediate amazing results, staying away from carbonation was a no brainer. A couple short years later, I learned the value of drinking water, and began to make a conscious effort to drink more. I felt the benefits in my body, mainly in ways that allowed me to feel more comfortable…in a personal sort of manner. A couple years after that, I began studying whole food nutrition and was led to read amazing life altering and enhancing books like Dr. Emoto’s The Hidden Messages in Water and Dr. Batmanghelidj’s Your Body’s Many Cries for Water: You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty, I began to understand the full power water has on our bodies.
Here’s some perks I’ve personally noticed in my life:
- No hangovers. Ever. Enough said.
- No headaches. In fact, it is often the glass of water you drink as you swallow down your favorite headache medication that remedies your issue, not the pill.
- Save money while dining out. You may have to have several refills as it seems to be a common myth among restaurants that because you want water you’re not as thirsty as the average non-water beverage consumer because so many places give you tiny cups to use. The savings continue at the grocery store, as well.
- Abundant breast milk production. As a new mom committed to giving her baby the most nutrient-rich, cost-efficient, God-intended food, believe me this is a huge gift of diligent water drinking. And men, don’t overlook the benefit of this and all the money you’ll save not buying formula for your baby.
- While on the subject of motherhood, how about no morning sickness? That’s right, morning—or for many women all-day—sickness during pregnancy is a common side effect of not having the body properly hydrated. If you are planning a pregnancy in the future, go ahead and start upping your intake now. I doubled what I required while I was pregnant, and continue to require that amount with breast feeding.
Here’s some signs you may be chronically dehydrated:
- If you’re not drinking ½ your body weight in ounces of water every day…at a minimum. And that doesn’t even cover the increase needed with added physical exertion, consuming of non-water beverages and unhealthy foods, and stress. I know this may seem overwhelming to some of you, however break it down this way: If you weigh 180lbs, aim for a minimum of 90oz—or less than three liters, or just over five standard-size bottles—of water in a day. That’s only two throughout the morning, two throughout the course of your day, and one in the evenings after work. Easy-peasy.
- If you don’t get thirsty. The thirst mechanism is the first function to shut down as the body becomes dehydrated. If ignored, the body eliminates it and moves on to compromising other bodily functions; anything from regular (daily or more often) bowel movements, to skin issues, to lethargy.
- If you don’t like the taste of water. Water assists the body of ridding metabolic wastes . To me, water taste like liquid gold…or something like that. I LOVE the taste and prefer it to almost anything.
- If you experience regular headaches, migraines, neck or back pain, skin issues, digestion or gastrointestinal issues, allergies, sinus issues, mood imbalances, stress, low energy, muscle cramps/spasms, and a number of other health issues that are typically treated with allopathic medicine. In other words, if you are experiencing anything other than ideal health and you currently do not drink a large amount of pure, fresh water daily, it is absolutely worth your exploration to see if increasing your water intake assists in balancing your issue. If this one applies to you, then I strongly encourage you to read Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, as referenced above.
- You feel hungry even when you shouldn’t be. That’s right; the majority of hunger pangs are truly thirst in disguise. Try it out for yourself. The next time you find yourself hungry and it’s either not time to eat or you’re not in a position to eat, drink yourself a pint or so of water and wait 20-minutes to see if that doesn’t remedy the situation. This is a really great tip on anyone working toward a weight-loss goal. Water does not replace food, though you can survive much longer without food than you can without water.
Here’s some simple tips to increase your daily water intake with ease:
- Start each day with a pint of water. Do this for three days to a week, then add a glass mid-day, then add one to the evening. Slowly increasing is the trick to not be in the bathroom all day and night as your body adjusts to the change. Like anything, if you add too much too fast the body will view it as excess and rid itself of it. Slowly added over time tells the body to fully utilize it, because more is coming.
- Set a bottle or glass of water on your desk, nightstand, wherever you spend your time. When you see it, sip it.
- Start carrying a bottle of water everywhere you go. Don’t worry so much on the source; even unfiltered tap water is better for the body than no water. If it has a dirty-ish taste to it, see tip 4.
- Add fresh fruit or herbs to your water to enhance the flavor. Citrus fruits, cucumbers, strawberries and mint are just a few suggestions that can add in the flavor without compromising the body’s ability to absorb, utilize, and hydrate. Pretty much anything else you add to water will hinder these processes.
- For every non-water beverage you consume, match it with equal water. Every non-water beverage has a dehydrating effect on the body. Regardless of how much water is used in creating the beverage, fresh fruits and herbs are the only things that can be added to water without affecting its ability to hydrate your body. I’ve heard that for every 8oz of coffee you consume, your body requires an additional 64oz of water to counter-balance the dehydration effect…that’s in addition to the ½ your body weight in ounces for basic cellular functions.
Simply put, proper hydration makes for a healthier, happier life. It is the one consistent commitment I make to honor the gift that my body is. Just because we have such a plethora of other tasty beverage choices in this day and age, it does not make water obsolete. In fact, due to all the advances in our society, increased pollutions, artificial ingredients, and stress (dehydration causes stress and stress causes dehydration; it’s a vicious cycle), it is more crucial than ever before to honor and protect our natural water sources, and to ensure we keep ourselves, our children, and our loved ones properly hydrated. In this post, I’ve only scratched the surface on the reasons to hydrate. Research more if you’d like, but either way, kindly consider loving yourself enough to give yourself this simple gift ♥
I appreciate you taking the time to read my posting & I’ll be posting great new information, tips & tools regularly. If you have a recipe you’d like for me to try out & review, topics you’d like to hear about, or any other comments, feedback, or suggestions, kindly send me a message to AskCrissy@gmail.com and I will address the matter in a future blog posting. Be sure to subscribe to my Blog & YouTube Channel, visit my website regularly, and follow me on Facebook & Twitter, to stay plugged in to all of my offerings. As always, I wish you infinite love, blessings, peace, and joy as we take this journey together. I am blessed & honored to share my path with you.
Crissy
Hi Crissy,
Nancy suggested I try to connect with you given my work schedule and as someone as back up to her care. My tendonitis has flared up (forearms) and although I have an appt with her Monday the 10th, the week will be extremely long until then without treatment.
Please let me know what early morning or evening appt may be available Wednesday or Thursday.
Thank you,
Julie