Hey 2015 friends. That’s right, it’s a new year, and I’m writing this post from BED, that’s how serious of a writer I am in 2015. Don’t worry, I have my blue blocking glasses on so I won’t lose any sleep from staring at a screen right before bed. Yes, totally serious, this is so much fun. Blogging with sunglasses on from bed makes me feel like a real 2015 baller.
How’s your year going so far? You know what could make it even better than it already is? Read on to find out.
The other night I was at dinner with some friends and I arrived there a few minutes late. This is not out of character for me, but there was a weird reason this time — I had accidentally skipped the stop on the subway that I was supposed to get off at. Now, that may not sound all that weird to you but I’ve lived in NYC for almost 8 years now, and I’ve taken the subway probably millions of times, and it’s a very rare occasion that I simply skip a stop or take the wrong train. I mentioned to my friends that it had actually happened to me twice in a short period of time.
“You’re dehydrated,” one of my friends said.
I hadn’t thought of that before, but I realized she was right. Along with a million other benefits, being hydrated makes your thinking clearer. Your brain needs water to function optimally. When you’re dehydrated, you can feel foggy-headed and your memory might not be as sharp.
I started thinking about all the other things that being dehydrated has an impact on, which is pretty much every function in life. A few categories you may care about are energy, mood, weight, skin, digestion…and endless more. I don’t need to really school you guys on the importance of water, right?
Then, the other night my family was playing a game at Christmas – a “questions” game, and one of the questions was “if you could have one wish what would it be?” The first thing out of my mouth was “everybody would be hydrated.” I honestly don’t know what made me say that but it came out on impulse. So I guess that’s my one wish in the world, for everyone to be hydrated.
And we’re actually really lucky to have access to clean drinking water, SO MANY PEOPLE DON’T, and it makes me really upset to think about, because the way I feel when I’m dehydrated sucks, and it must be a million times worse for so many people who can’t get clean water.
On that note, if you feel inspired to help people get clean water so everyone can be hydrated, you can donate to Charity Water.
Anyway – long story short – I made a resolution to get hydrated. I had remembered reading this article awhile back about a woman who drank 3 liters of water per day for a month and felt amazing afterwards, so I decided to 3 liters a day for the month of January as a personal challenge.
Starting today (Jan 1) I’ll be drinking about 108 ounces of water per day (a little more than 3 liters). A liter is about 34 ounces, so 3 liters = 102 ounces. I’m drinking 108 ounces because the water bottle I’m using is 27 ounces, so 4 bottles is 108 ounces.
Too much math? Sorry. Point is = I’m drinking 3 liters of water per day.
This is, I imagine, significantly more water than most people are accustomed to drinking. I say this because it actually takes effort to drink this much water. Yes, you’ll go to the bathroom more, but that’s the price you pay for staying HYDRATED ALL THE TIME (sing it with me). Woo!
I’m gonna start recording any differences I feel from all the hydration and I’ll do another blog about it after the month is over.
Who’s with me?
If you join and post anything about it on the insta, use the hashtags #hydrationchallenge and #hydratedallthetime and of course tag me @jennysansouci so I know you’re hydrating.
If you do drink 3 liters of water every day for 30 days straight (doesn’t have to be on the same timeline as me, just start any day), please let me know in the comments, and for every comment I get saying someone COMPLETED 30 days, I’ll donate $5 to Charity Water.
As far as timing, I will submit the $5 donation for anyone who completes their 30 day hydration challenge by the end of February. In order for me to donate the $5 on your behalf, you must leave a comment on this blog post when your challenge is finished.
UPDATE: Because of some concerns I’ve received, I will honor the $5 donation for anyone who drinks 2 liters of water per day (64 oz) for 30 days as well.
If you complete it I’d also really like to know what benefits you experienced, so please leave that in the comment too.
Ok?
3 liters of water a day (ok, fine, at least 2) for 30 days. You can start anytime. You can start now. Now is the perfect time. GET HYDRATED!
Oh, coffee and caffeinated teas don’t count towards your hydration but herbal teas are good to go. I say this because caffeine is dehydrating so that would be missing the point. K?
I care about your hydration!!! I really do. Because hydration makes you a happier person and happier people make a happier world. IT MAKES SENSE! SO DRINK UP!
Love you,
Jenny
Hydee says
This is great! I’ve been lucky to get in 50oz of water lately and I know I need much more than that. When I try to increase my water/fluid intake more than this I find myself completely nauseated and bloated. Have you ever heard of this before? If so, any suggestions? Thank you! Love your site!
jenny sansouci says
I’ve never had that happen, but I would suggest spacing out your water more. Don’t chug a lot at one time, just sip throughout the day. Good luck!
Susan says
thank you for sharing. Getting hydrated & staying hydrated is goal this year. I’m starting today. Does sparkling water count towards your hydration?
jenny sansouci says
I think sparkling water is OK, as long as it doesn’t have artificial sweeteners or sugar!
Mmstrolle says
The easiest way to stay hydrated is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water. If you weigh 150, 75 oz of water daily. The first 2-3 weeks are tough, but once your body adjusts you will feel better.
jenny sansouci says
Thanks!!
Lucy Sivov says
Hello Jenny, I’m friends with Lindsey F., we volunteered together a year ago in S. Africa. She shared the link to this blog entry and it intrigued me. I’m currently traveling abroad for a year and am in Laos and just tonight I was talking about this exact topic with the French lady I met a couple days ago and am now traveling with for a little while. I agree, most everyone could stand to drink more water. However, did you know that drinking too much water can actually be damaging to your health? There is a formula to what the ideal amount of water per day is for a person based on their height and I believe also their weight. Makes sense to me. I drink over 2 liters of water a day and have been for as long as I can remember (well over 20-30 years by now). I also happen to be 5,10″ and on the heavier side. Now take a woman who’s only 5,2″ and literally weighs half my weight, wouldn’t make sense for her to drink the same as me. However, I can tell you that most people don’t even come close to how much they should drink. Some people barely drink equivalent to 1 cup, let alone 2 or 3…………. or wow, a whole liter or more. I’m not sure if 3 liters is too much for most people, but I think it’s worth checking into. I actually am a certified Holistic Nutrition Couch but I gave up that direction to start volunteering, traveling and being a travel writer.
I did a quick search on the net and according to the Mayo Clinic, there is not a simple formula to determine the appropriate amount of water per person since each individual has different needs especially according to the climate we are in and also our level of activity. But they did say that generally speaking 13 cups (3 liters) is appropriate for men and 9 cups (2.2 liters) is appropriate for women (but again according to our activity level and climate we are in, we may require more). Also, they state that coffee, tea (and juice) DO count towards the total amount and didn’t mention them dehydrating us, but simply that the majority of our water intake should come from actual water
not flavored drinks (of course, sodas do NOT count at all).
Here’s a link to their article (Mayo Clinic is a reliable source for health information online): http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
Hope that helps! :)
jenny sansouci says
Hi! Nice to meet you. :) Thanks for the info. I posted a blog in response to this! https://healthycrush.com/is-it-possible-to-drink-too-much-water/
Donna says
Hi Jenny – I’m also doing a 30 day water challenge! I started Jan. 12th, & I’m drinking 1 gallon a day. I’ve played around with diet & supplements throughout my life, but this is the first time I got serious with water. I think I really love it, & I may just be hooked on it :) I will report back when done, & I’ll look forward to reading about your experience. Love your blog!
Donna
jenny sansouci says
Awesome!! I know, it feels good to be more hydrated, for sure. Thanks for reading!! Good luck with your water challenge!!
Ali Pinckney says
I did the hydration challenge and it was awesome! You also inspired me to write a blog post of my own and in turn, I encouraged several people to do it!! I love hearing from those people how good they feel now and how one simple thing has started a healthier lifestyle! Thank you, Jenny! You’re the best!
Here’s my blog post: http://www.alipinckney.com/blog/january-hydration-challenge-how-much-water-should-you-be-drinking
jenny sansouci says
Hey Ali! Thanks for sharing that. If you can comment/get any other people to comment on this blog, I’ll donate on behalf of each of them! Nice work and thanks again for joining me!!! https://healthycrush.com/hydration-challenge-charity-water-donation/