I am posting now so that I don't forget that it is Thursday when I get up tomorrow .

WATER 101

Today, there is an abundance of ways to get your water. Tap water, mineral water, spring water, fitness water, water from bottles, water filters, water coolers, and the list goes on and on.

Here are some options:

Bottled water
It’s becoming more and more popular, despite costing a dollar or two per bottle. There are typically two kinds of non-flavored water you can purchase – mineral and spring. And yes, there is a difference between the two. Spring water derives its name from the fact that it comes from underground water springs. It receives the same filtration treatment that all water receives, including tap water, but that’s it. It is the more natural water and is typically characterized as tasting more refreshing.

Mineral water is spring water that goes through a chemical treatment process. This adds minerals to the water, but in exchange, causes water to lose some of its refreshing taste. The technical name for the added minerals is "Totally Dissolved Solids." If there are less than 250 mg/liter in the water, it’s considered spring water. Above 250 and it’s mineral water. In fact there are three different levels of mineral water. The low mineral content is what’s normally found in stores.

Another option is flavored water. Gatorade recently launched its own line of flavored fitness water, but there are many other options. These waters go through a similar process to mineral water, adding not only minerals and vitamin fortification, but also a hint of artificial flavoring. It’s not much different than mineral water; its main attraction is for individuals who do not like the taste of plain water. Flavored water costs nearly the same as regular bottled water.

Filters
Water filters are a more economically sound purchase. Filters come in several forms; the most popular choices are a filtered water pitcher to be stored in your fridge, or an attachment to your sink faucet. The filters block several elements of tap water, including zinc, chlorine, copper, lead, sediment and other materials, up to 99 percent of each item that comes through your sink. (These additives come from the pipes they flow through, so they are not in bottled spring water).

Water coolers
Thought these were only for the office? While they require a bit more maintenance than filters, water coolers are another alternative to bottled water. The cooling units are more expensive to buy up front, but in the long run, will save you money. Five-gallon jugs equate to 32 regular size bottles of water (20 ounces). Plus, companies will regularly bring you new jugs at your convenience.

I am finally to the actual homework questions

1. What kind of water do you prefer?

2. How much water do you consume before, during and after your workouts?



POP QUIZ!

How much does the average person sweat during one hour of vigorous exercise?
A. One tablespoon
B. One cup
C. One pint
D. One quart



Okay, pencils down. For all of those who answered D., congrats! To everyone else, better luck next time.

That’s right – one quart! As you can see, exercise saps a lot of water - from our bodies. That’s why it’s very important to drink even more water while exercising. However, drinking water before and after exercise is just as important.

Start paying attention to your fluid intake 2-3 hours before you are going to exercise. Drink 2-3 cups of water during that time, and then drink another cup immediately before you start exercising.

Without this extra water, your muscles will become dehydrated. Muscle movement depends on how hydrated you are, so if they are dry, they will not work as well. As a result, your workout will not be as productive as you would like.

Once you start exercising, keep drinking water frequently. A good rule of thumb is to drink one cup every 15-20 minutes. Keep a water bottle with you. Take breaks to head to the water cooler. Do what it takes you keep yourself hydrated.

Even when you are done exercising, you need to keep replenishing your fluid levels. It’s recommended you drink another 2-3 cups within two hours after you have finished. Then drink water regularly afterwards.

The more you drink before, during, and after exercise, the more productive your workout will be. Do your body a favor and replenish that quart of fluids your body is losing while you work out. Your muscles will thank you later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrenauMom,

I drink somewhere between 64 and 96 oz. of water a day.... we have filtered water at work. If I'm at bob's it's filtered or bottled. and at home I drink it from the brita pitcher.

quote:

Does starbucks coffee count as water?

If that is the case, then I'm really doing well at over-drinking water. I fill my 32 oz. bottle with iced tea every morning (after 1.5-2 bottle's worth of water during my workout).

I have family members who tell servers in restaurants to bring me a hose. I guess I drink plenty of water.

i think i read somehwere that you can lose up to a quart of water after exercising for an hour, so i am pretty good about drinking from the water fountain at the gym. i also drink herbal tea, FUZE, and seltzer water thru-out the day. i do enjoy at least one hot coco a day! that is my sweet treat. i must have the smallest bladder in the world because i am up at least 2 times a night pee-ing.
i have also learned to respond to "hunger" signals with a glass of water. sometimes, i think i am just thirsty, not hungry. so i try the glass of water first, and if i am still hungry, i reach for a snack.

quote:

Originally posted by sahm:
Does starbucks coffee count as water? i put water IN the coffee maker hahahaha.

I drink my (tap) water with a tea bag floating in it. (And most of my tea is milk free... but some of it has milk in it. )

When I exercise, I drink about 4 cups of water... with no tea bag.

I go back and forth between bottled and tap. Usually tap water though. I like to drink Seltzer water or club soda mixed with some cranberry juice or other juice. I know this adds calories to my day with the juices but it is better than soda. I don't know that I'll ever be a regular water drinker, getting in the recommended 8-10 glasses a day. I would much rather focus on changing my eating habits right now and deal with the water thing later. I'm still not 100% convinced that you have to drink that much water in a day, especially to lose weight. Don't get me wrong, I agree that if you are a soda drinker, switching to water is a big step and would make a significant difference. Perhaps I am in denial? I don't enjoy drinking water so maybe I am averse to the idea because I just don't want to do it.

Jill

Our fridge has a water filter, so I drink from that (my thing isn't how the water tastes so much as it is cold...but not icey). My drinking cups hold 2 cups, and I make an effort to drink 4 of those a day, plus 12-24 oz of caffeinated diet soda in the AM, and Crystal Light or fruit-flavored non-fizzy sugar-free drinks in the evening.

(It's much harder since my surgery...I feel for pregnant women-any pressure on my bladder right now results in a "I MUST GO NOWWWWW...OUT OF MY WAY" sensation.)

the tap water we have in our area stinks! Literally and figuratively. The hospitals tell you not to mix your baby formula with this water....clue one it's bad. So we have been buying Wally World's flavored water for ages. It's cheap for what we drink, and it's carbonated which is what we really crave in the soda pop department. Because I have hi bp, I have been told two 20oz bottles is enough or it washes my system of the meds I take. I get water from tea, coffee, and the foods I eat. Doing pretty well, BUT I hate drinking cold water during the winter.

As for me, we have one of those sink filters. It is rare I will buy a case of bottled water, since we have that.

I do drink tea in the morning, but the majority of my drinking in the day is with water. It really just makes me feel better.

Does starbucks coffee count as water? i put water IN the coffee maker hahahaha. i drink bottled or filter mostly but not enough. when i have bottles i drink more.

I drink filtered water at work and bottled spring water at home. (Our tap water tastes nasty. When I lived in Indy, I drank the tap water.)

I typically drink between 74 and 82 oz. of water a day. Some days more, some less. Generally I drink 3 16 oz. cups of water at work and between 1 1/2 to 2 16.9 oz. of bottled water a day.

I drink coffee in the morning. In the winter, especially if I'm sick, I might also drink hot tea (usually decaf or herbal) with a little sugar or honey.

I have pretty much cut out sodas, unless I have a migraine or feel one coming on, then I drink a Coke, but I rarely drink the whole can.

On rare occasions, I drink unsweetened or lightly sweetened iced tea at lunch.

Mostly, after my morning coffee, water is my drink of choice.

Dawn

Tap water for me. Occasionally if I feel the need to buy a bottle, I prefer Dasani or Dannon. If Aquafina is my only option, and I'm really, really desperate, I'll get it. But only after searching high and low for any and all water fountains.

I drink filtered tap water (from the fridge filter) and I generally drink about 64-80 oz per day. ( I have a history of kidney stones and am careful to keep hydrated.)

I'm a Deer Park (spring water) girl. I buy a case of 24-oz. sippy-cap bottles a month for home and a case of 1 1/2 liter bottles a month for work (I drink water out of one of the 24-oz. bottles at work but I take the big bottles to put in the fridge so I have cold water all day). These days, it seems I am running out of home water before the month is out.

I drink filtered tap water, generally close to a gallon/day.

Occasionally I'll do bottled watered or hot tea (nothing added to it).

Water...That's all I drink!

We have a water filter attached to our tap and fill two large jugs to always have cold water on hand.

When, I go to the gym I take a 32oz bottle with me.

Heather

quote:

Originally posted by johnbol:
Good homework, Judy. Good information.

I've had my water bottle with me all the way around Wal*Mart.

I usually and almost always drink tap water. For special occasions, we have purchased brand x and then use and re-use the bottles.

Linda

Good homework, Judy. Good information.

I've had my water bottle with me all the way around Wal*Mart.

My water of choice is Smart Water by Glaceau.
It has electrolytes in it and is basically Gatorade without any sugar or flavors.
(Shortly after I started drinking it I had a check up at the Bone Marrow clinic and the doctor specifically mentioned that my electrolyte count was very good. That was the first time any of them had commented on electrolytes when discussing my blood tests)

I don't 'workout", I walk and have started doing the crunches with Sautequeen but my breathing problems prevent much aerobic activity so I don't drink water specifically in regards to exercising.

I try to get in four 16oz bottles of water a day.