Water.  Without water there can be no life.  It is quite staggering how few of us actually drink enough of it to sustain our body’s natural health.  If our bodies don’t get enough water, how can we expect to function at an optimal level?

It should not be difficult to drink enough water.  Our culture is filled with opportunities to drink water, and so often we choose something else.  Think of how many cups of coffee are consumed at your desk while working.  How many cans of soda are consumed just out of routine?   Our refrigerators are stocked with juice, soda, milk, beer, sports drink, and the list goes on.  We’ve been marketed to and programmed to believe that all of these drinks are good for us, give our bodies the vitamins and minerals it needs, the caffeine we need to make it through our day.  But the majority of the liquids we drink are laced with sugar and chemicals that our bodies really don’t need and can be harmful in the amounts that we consume.

Water.  Good old water.  What would happen if we drank enough of it?

What is enough water?  You should drink at least half of your body weight in ounces per day to maintain proper hydration for normal activity.  That means: if you weigh 160lbs, you should be drinking 80 oz of water per day.  If you are out in the hot weather or doing strenuous activity that causes you to perspire, you need to drink more.  Juice is not a substitute for water and neither are sports drinks.  Your body needs water to flush out the sugars and chemicals in the other liquids that you are drinking, so its safe to say that a person who drinks plenty of pop or juice can still be dehydrated.

When you have enough water, your nerves can function better.  If you’re nerves function better, signals to your brain are more acute.  If you’re brain is getting proper signals, it can send out proper instructions.  Your body heals faster, your thinking is better, you pain has a chance at diminishing, your skin looks and feels better, your chronic conditions have a fighting chance at the healing process.  Often, we feel hungry when we are actually thirsty.  Have you ever had a craving to eat, but you can’t figure out what food you’re craving?  Chances are you are just thirsty.  Try drinking a glass of water the next time you have an empty craving.  5 minutes later the craving will be gone.

The Water Challenge

We challenge you to get properly hydrated for 7 days.  With every cup of coffee, drink a cup of water, for every soda, drink water.  Have water with your meals.  When the waitress asks if you’d like a coke, ask for water instead.  Instead of reaching for a sports drink to bring to your workout, reach for a bottle of water.

At the end of 7 days, let us know how much more energy you have, how much less you eat, how less severe is your chronic pain, how joints bend better, how you need fewer naps, and how you begin to notice the difference between days when you met your water needs versus the days when you didn’t.  You will notice.

Let us know by commenting below.  Take the challenge and we will publish your insights.

Tags: healthy, water wellness challenge, weight loss, wellness