What are we all doing about water?

5byfive said:


I second this (or third it), just watch the sodium intake. The western diet already tends to be high in sodium and powders like LMNT tend to be high in it. You may want to consider some lower sodium options.

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This. I do only Gatorade Free or Liquid IV bottle daily. The Gatorade has 250mg sodium and Liquid IV has 500mg. I split the Liquid IV powder into two empty Gatorade bottles.
 
islandtime50 said:


I have something going on with hydration that I have never solved completely. Does this happen to anyone else?

I am a recovering utility arborist (among other things) which means I used to wear really thick chainsaw and fireproof clothing and climb hazard trees to remove them near power lines. Long story short, it is hot, very physical work and sweating and cramping just come with it. I am careful with coffee and alcohol and have tried many hydration tablets, powders etc. over the years. Never really got that figured out.

I don't kill trees any more but I do run and work out and if I have very much coffee (1 homemade espresso) or beer (we're talking 1 or 2 max) I feel it in my calves or hamstrings right away. I have a bag of Hydralyte or some such from Costco in the cupboard and have been using that quite a bit lately but I am not always convinced it is helping as much as it should.

I felt dry this morning and crampy-ish, downed a couple of litres with electrolyte and peed ... and peed ... pretty clear

Is anyone here better at this than me? I have started TRT and have some tirz on the way and I can feel it already so I feel like I can't be the only one thinking about this.

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Sounds like you just need better electrolyte management (sodium/potassium), combined with the potentially more water.

How much water are you currently consuming a day?

I find 1.5 gallons per day to be my sweet spot, and sometimes I can even get in 2 gallons (I also sweat a lot and had issues with cramping). Adding small amounts of pink Himalayan salt to my water has helped

@Mr. Blonde ’s taurine reccomendation is also solid. Has me thinking about adding that to my water now
 
@Stace_wow & @miss-sanne

Fam I feel you!! I had a great hydration day setting an alarm to remind me to drink every 30 minutes...and then the day after maybe for 40oz. To bring back 2015:

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I figure I already get in enough sodium (enough ...haha with my love of sunflower seeds it's likely too much!) but I will definitely incorporate some dried figs and apricots into my diet since those are faves anyway-great tip Stace! And today setting the water timer again!
 
My boyfriend got me one of those Ulla lights for my water bottle to remind me to drink, but I got to the point where I was ignoring it lol!
 
I make my own hydration mix. Pick your favorite Crystal-lite or other zero sugar flavoring and add a little salt and a little no-salt - which is potassium. The commercial hydration mixes don’t really have enough in them. Measure to get the mg you want. Take 400 mg magnesium supplement at night.
 
Liquid IV is what I've got from Costco. Had 200oz yesterday. 2nd day without coffee was a real ass dragger. Definitely slept better the first night.
 
HouseCat said:


I also struggle to get hydrated. I love water but just forget to drink and some days have not even hit the 64oz bare minimum.

Yesterday I set a recurring 30 minute timer with a very soft chime sound and just kept hitting “repeat” on it when it’d go off. Every time I heard the chimes I’d drink, and I was able to meet my 100oz goal (I know some of y’all are getting a lot more than this, but for me it’s a win).

I know some of the apple, Fitbit etc. watches/trackers can be programmed to give a little vibration every so often to remind you to get up and move. Maybe they also have a vibrate timer function for water reminders?

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Love this. I also struggle - literally forgetting - so will try this.

lilamae05111 said:


Are you so sure your issue is hydration, and not salt or potassium loss? My son races motorcycles, and all the pros take potassium and salt pills while they race because the exertion and heat rob them of those first; water is secondary.

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This is what came to mind, mainly from my fain-girling of ultra running. (I want to some day and so I follow it but don’t run them). You can be fine on water and not fine with electrolytes.

OP^^ this has my vote.

GLP-1s make my electrolytes especially wonky.
 
I hydrate indirectly by drinking a lot of UF protein shake and 2 lb greek yogurt everyday, which provides 1.7L of water after subtracting for sugar, protein and fat. And a few glasses of water.
 
I started having cramping issues about a year ago. Tried a bunch of thing, some seamed to help a little. Then I started this: every morning, first thing in the am. 32 oz water with a teaspoon of mineral salt. Have not had a cramp since. I also drink water every hour or so.
 
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