Today is the first day of the water challenge. For those of you who still want to participate, it is not to late! To help us support and motivate each other over the next two weeks, I have created a Facebook group called Water Challenge (it is the one with the picture of the glass of water) to help us support and motivate each other over the next two weeks. You can also access it here. If you have any problems joining it, let me know. I look forward to seeing you there. The health and benefits that drinking water can bring are well worth it.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome to the first Be the Change challenge. Last week I posted an article “Are You Drinking Enough Water.” The answer for me was and still is no. And since I am about change and this blog is about change, I decided to conduct a mini experiment.
For the next two weeks I will be drinking no less than 8 cups (64oz) of water a day. The experiment is to see how I am physically, mentally and emotionally affected by the increased water intake. I have been curious about this for a long time and am excited to see the results.
During the experiment I will be keeping a daily log of whether or not I achieve my goal amount. Every other day I will be noting how I feel mentally, emotionally and physically amongst other things. I am not trying to loose weight but will be weighing myself once a week to record the impact. I will be posting my progress and results on the blog.
Challenge start date: Wednesday June 29th
Rules of the challenge:
- Commit to drinking a minimum of 64oz of water/ day. More is ok.
- You can drink your other usual beverages (coffee, tea, soda), although by eliminating them you may see a bigger change
- Track your experiment progress in the Water Challenge Tracker (Excel and PDF formats). For the PDF version, you will need to download both files and print them out.
- Water Challenge Tracker (Excel)
- Water Challenge Tracker (PDF 1, PDF 2)
Feel free to send me an email (runningbear@gettingtozen.com) to let me know that you are participating in the challenge. I’d love to hear about your progress and results.
Notes:
- Space out your water consumption so that you don’t have to catch up in the late hours of the day
- Keep track of the amounts by using measured containers. For example, a 16 or 20 ounce marked containers.
Measurements:
pint = 16 oz.
quart = 32 oz.
1/2 gallon = 64 oz.
- Keep your water bottle/glass/container near you during the day. Set it on your desk, take it with you if you walk, etc. Having it handy makes it easier.
- Set a timer so you remember to fill out your log
- Complete the Pre-work section of the worksheet a day or two before the challenge
- Make sure that you are taking in adequate electrolytes during this experiment
A note on dehydration:
Many people become dehydrated through the course the day because they’re not drinking enough water. Dehydration often happens gradually in that we hardly notice it until extreme thirst descends upon us. Thirst isn’t the only side-effect; dehydration often leads to tiredness, lethargy or feeling sick or faint.
Disclaimer
I am not a medical professional. If you have any concerns about participating in this challenge, speak to your doctor. Although, you may see a lot of improvements from increasing your water intake, there are some risk. Hyonatremia can occur from taking in too much water and not enough electrolytes.
Photo credit: gfrphoto
Related posts:
| If this article helped you grow, sign up below to get FREE updates. Access to the Personal Growth Toolbox and newsletter included. | |||
|
- Discover Your Life Purpose - Live Fearlessly - Nourish Your Spirit |
|||
Hi, My name is Lisa. I am a mother, girlfriend, blogger, runner and happiness seeker.
I started blogging in March 2010 as a way for me to grow and help others by sharing what I learned.
My personal development journey began about 15 years ago.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I have found for myself that when I squeeze half a lemon or lime into a tall glass of water, it goes down a lot more easily. Something about the astringency. I’ve been doing this over two years, and I believe the increase in vitamin C has helped my health as well. Colds are milder, and I seem to have escaped the flu as well.
This does work out to something like 6-8 lemons or limes per week, at least. Which reminds me, I need to go get some more, I’m fresh out!
Hi Dave,
Thanks for stopping by. Good to see you on the blog. Yes, lemon, lime, ginger and orange extracts are great ways to give water a bit of a taste. And you you are right, you can also keep colds at bay that way. 6-8 lemons or limes–you must be getting your 8 cups of water/day. :-) A couple of lemons usually last me about a week. Guess I better stock up before the water challenge.
Hi Lisa!
Just a short note to let you know that I have taken on the two week challenge. I am just going to keep track of it on paper at home. Will let you know how it goes…64 oz…its more than what I have been drinking. The end of the day usually leaves me with a glass yet to go.
Thanks!
Rand
Hi Rand,
Great! So glad you are participating!! My first day went better than expected. I thought it would be more difficult to drink 64oz than it was; although I still had to make a concerted effort to do it. Please keep me posted on your progress. Have you met the goal amount up to this point?
Hi Lisa,
On 7/1/11 I came up one glass short, but yesterday went easy as I worked my little *Peace Garden* and therefore hydrated plenty. I do like the slice of lemon without squeezing the juice out in the glass (better on the stomach for me).
I put a link to this post in one of Zeenat’s latest blogs regards another “challenge”.
I’ll keep you up to date.
Cheers!
Yes, my first day went smoothly, but the second got away from me and I came up a couple of glasses short. I am really seeing how I have to make a concerted effort to keep my hydration up. I love the idea of a Peace Garden. It sounds so serene. Thank you for the support. :-) I am off to fill up my glass. :-)