Daily water requirement?

[Islandtroll]

Below is the formula I'm using, I'm not saying it's right, just that I'm using it

Daily Water Requirements: Drink 50-75% of your body weight in ounces. Sedentary people: 50%; Active people: 75%

Example Calculation:

Pounds of body weight 150 lb.
Water requirement from above (for an active person) 112.5 oz.


Add for dryness of climate + 16 oz.

Add for strenous exercise + 16 oz.

Total per day 144.5 oz

My number came out at 170oz a day. The last two days I gave it a go, and wow that's lots of water!

On the 4th I drank 122oz, on the 5th 125oz. Today I'm trying for around 150oz.

Is my daily water requirement 170oz? Any links, tips, or suggestions are appreciated. I'm really out of my element here. Thanks!

[m1k3g0rd]

I tried to follow the 'drink a gallon a day' philosophy over the past couple of years. It's tough, especially in a corporate environment with meetings, etc. You can't run off to the bathroom every 10 minutes in a professional environment, it just doesn't look good. These days I make a point to drink plenty of fluid before & during my workout, but I had to cut back at other times. I still drink more water than the average 'merkin I'm sure, but not so much that I slosh when I walk anymore :-)

[Islandtroll]

Originally Posted by m1k3g0rd

I still drink more water than the average 'merkin I'm sure, but not so much that I slosh when I walk anymore :-)

Slosh when you walk!

By the way I also drank 4 cups of milk yesterday, which I didn't count for water intake.

[bhaputi]

I do 2 to 2.5 gallons each and every day, regardless of whether I am working out that day or not.

Your bladder gets used to it eventually

[MrKyoo]

It is a lot of water especially at night. I will lay there until I just about bust before I get up.

I consider gatorade, milk etc part of my water intake so I hope I'm getting enough.

[Drew23]

I keep a 20 oz water bottle on my desk. I make it a point to fill it and drink 3 times before lunch and 3 times after lunch (120 oz) Add to that what I drink during my workout and when I'm home and I usually get well over 1.5 gallons per day.

[labradarep]

IMO 125 oz a day is plenty for you.

[lcash]

I just use the rule of thumb that if the urine is clear I am drinking enough water. If not, drink some more. This depends also on vitamin intake as some vitamins such as B complex will color the urine but after one or two bathroom breaks you should know whether you are consuming enough water.

The problem of trying to limit the intake to a certain OZ number is that the amount the body absorbs and discharges change from hour to hour depending on your activity. Sitting at a desk is not going to force you to lose alot of water so your intake may be less. Working in the hot sun doing heavy physical labor is going to cause you to consume much more water than normal. By using the color of urine method you should always be hydrated enough for your body's needs.

Lcash

[oldcool]

I have read several doctors (Can't remember where or who) and my own private doctor say that the whole water intake has been taken out of context. the idea is that you should drink X amount of fluid per day with water being the most ideal for the obvious reasons. Of course some drinks are not as good for you but it is still fluid and the basis for all fluids for the most parts is water. As my doctor said what do you make coffee and tea with...water, so in my book it all counts, and even to much water will kill you!!

[JOHN GARGANI]

not unlike how we have to find the right amount of sets and reps and other things associated with Bodybuilding, so is drinking water...

FORGET ABOUT FORMULAS!!! the same way you "listen" to your body training wise, you must listen to your body nutrition wise: eating AND drinking....

for MANY people: the amount of water "they" say you must drink, is absurdly high: FOR YOU.....


this is something you must arrive at on your own....highly personal and customizable.....


remember also: there is fluid in many of the things that we eat also....

[Mr. Someday]

Higher protein diets should go along with higher water intake. At 2g/#, I try for 2 gallons/day. An easy way to judge is the clearer your urine is the better your water intake is. When you are dehydrated, it will be very dark in color.

[Islandtroll]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I'm still not sure what amount I will go for consistently. I did drink 150oz yesterday, and felt really good all day. Only one bathroom break during sleep (which is normal for me). So that will kinda of be my target, as I learn what my body needs.