WELL HELLO guys!!!
I hope you all had a great February. Mine was a bit nutbally as I was traveling for a few weeks of it to the Seychelles and Kripalu. The part of the month where I was actually in NYC, I was moving into a new apartment. I’m still in the process of turning my little nook into a home, and I’m leaving for HONG KONG tomorrow (what!?) so I’ve been surrendering to the fact that things aren’t gonna get done as quickly as I’d like, especially if I insist on having a life of spontaneous travel. Which I do. I really do.
Before I move on, can we talk about how awesome 1989 is? Bah. I can’t stop listening to it. “Wildest Dreams” and “All You Had To Do Was Stay” are my faves right now. I love T Swizz and I just can’t deny it.
Okey dokey.
Remember when I did that hydration challenge in January? I told you all that I would donate $5 to Charity Water for anyone who did the challenge with me, and that I would extend it until the end of February. It’s time to make good on that promise!!!
The challenge, technically, was committing to drinking 2-3 liters of water per day for 30 days, but honestly, I’m gonna go ahead and say that if you have made a CONSCIOUS EFFORT to increase your water intake in 2015 so far, I will donate the $5 in your honor. OK? All you have to do is comment below and tell me you did it, and how you felt having more water in your life.
Why drinking more water is the most important thing you can do for your health.
Just a few things that can come along with being dehydrated:
- Sluggish digestion
- Lack of energy
- Accelerated signs of aging
- Dry skin
- Dry, cracked lips
- Constant hunger
- Headaches
- Mental fog
- Moodiness
I did the hydration challenge for all of January and it was incredible. I felt so good. The biggest perks I felt from drinking more water:
- More natural energy
- Less need for constant caffeine
- Better digestion
- Skin glowing
- Less hunger throughout the day/eating only when actually hungry
Bottom line, drinking more water is worth it, and it’s one of the most important aspects of health. I haven’t been as hyper-consciously focused on drinking water since I ended the challenge, and I DEFINITELY feel a difference.
Why am I donating to Charity Water?
I got inspired to donate to Charity Water when I realized how shitty it feels to be dehydrated. And I’ve definitely never been severely dehydrated, but so many people in the world are. It makes me sad. I feel SO DIFFERENT when I’m drinking more water, my life is so greatly enhanced — and I can drink water whenever I want. My heart hurts imagining all of the people in the world who don’t have access to clean water. It’s upsetting and feels unfair, and people are dying of unclean water-related illness daily. So I want to do something to help, even in a small way.
From Charity Water’s site:
“Most of us have never really been thirsty. We’ve never had to leave our houses and walk five miles to fetch water. We simply turn on the tap, and water comes out. Clean. Yet there are 748 million people on the planet who don’t have clean water.
It’s hard to imagine what 748 million people looks like really, but one in nine might be easier. One in nine people in our world doesn’t have access to the most basic of human needs. Something we can’t imagine going 12 hours without.”
Doesn’t that make you want to cry? This is a huge deal and I know I’ll find ways to contribute more in the future, but for now I’m starting with this.
SO PLEASE – comment!!! Have you put a focus on drinking more water in 2015? What has the experience been like?
For every (legit) comment I get, $5 will be going to Charity Water.
I love you guys. Please stay hydrated out there.
Love,
Jenny
I’ll only be in Hong Kong for a few days but I’m sure I’ll find some really fun things to post on instagram. So follow along!
**Update on donation — I received 20 comments on the blog (at $5 per person that would be $100) but because a handful of people told me in person that they did the hydration challenge, I made a donation of $150 to Charity Water. Yay! Thank you everyone!**
Here is my official Charity Water donation page. You can see my donation in there and donate yourself, if you’d like! Love you guys. :)
Stephanie Kirylych says
Thank you for the hydration challenge! I thought my water game was solid with an average of 2 liters a day. But what a difference the extra liter made. I finally felt hydrated! My skin is clearer and brighter. My digestion system is moving and grooving. And I’ve felt little need for my morning tea jolt!
jenny sansouci says
Stephanie — NICE WORK! So glad to hear you’re feeling so good with more water. And I’m so grateful for your support on this! You’re the best! xo
Hadley Gustin says
I love this charity so much and want to thank you for donating to them, Jenny!
In the past couple of months, I have definitely upped my water intake, and the easiest way for me to do it was to start using my giant, oversized water bottles again. This way, I drank more water in one sitting and would refill just as often as I refilled my regular glasses.
While I didn’t exactly keep track of how much water I’ve been drinking, I know on average I am getting about eight eight-ounce glasses of water in per day, and I am happy with that. :)
I hope all is well, and as always, I look forward to reading your future blog posts.
-Hadley
jenny sansouci says
Hadley – you’re so awesome for doing this and for contributing to this cause. :) I agree — having a big water bottle makes a huge difference!!! Keep hydrating. <3
Nathalie says
I was already a big water drinker. So for the challenge I increased my water intake by always making sure my glass is full. I also fancied it up with a slice of lemon or fresh ginger and turmeric in warm water. Toilet breaks were definitively more frequent! But I noticed feeling better, less tired or hungry when drinking an extra big glass of water. I will keep my water drinking up.
Thanks for donating to this great charity!
jenny sansouci says
Nathalie — YUM — ginger and turmeric in warm water sounds awesome! Thanks for commenting and being an inspiration.
Karine says
Hi Jenny!
Promise I made an effort to drink more water. I was really good at doing it in the past and the last few months I have been lazy so your challenge was a welcomed one! I feel more energized and focused when I drink water so it’s worth it! Thanks for donating to Charity Water – I would be so grumpy and have headaches if I couldn’t drink loads of it!
jenny sansouci says
Hi Karine! Yes, same here – so much more energy and focus when I have more water! Thank you for commenting and helping me contribute!
Tiffany says
Your hydration challenge made me pay attention to how much water I was actually drinking each day. I thought I was drinking enough but after drinking the 96 oz. each day I noticed a difference. I only drink tea, usually decaf, and I do drink wine sometimes but I compensate by drinking an extra glass of water per glass of wine. That extra 32 oz a day made all the difference, and always infuse with lemon, lime, ginger or cukes! Love it! Thank you for doing the hydration challenge! :)
jenny sansouci says
Hey Tiffany – that’s awesome. You’re inspiring me to infuse my water with cucumber – just like a home spa, and EXTRA hydrating. Woooooo!!! Nice job!
Jen says
Jenny, my favorite challenge is a water challenge. And I love to spread the challenge to those around me. More water def = Less hungry. :) Have fun on your travels!! -Jen <3
jenny sansouci says
Awesome, Jen! Thanks for commenting. :)
Anna says
I have been drinking LaCroix to quit my Diet Coke habit. I also have been filling up a bottle with ice, lemons, and water and slurp on that all day. I feel better-more alert, less sluggish, and more articulate.
jenny sansouci says
Awesome!!!! More articulate. That’s the best. Keep it up. :)
Beth says
Up my h20 intake by 50% some with lemon. Feel like my insides are cleaner!
jenny sansouci says
Woohoo!!! Happy to hear. Lemon makes a big difference, for digestion and for deliciousness. Thanks for commenting!!
Nancy says
I decided at the beginning of the year to increase my water intake. I was finding myself dehydrated and having leg cramps in the night.
Now each morning I get up and drink a 32 Oz cup of lemon water to start my day and then refill it every couple of hours. I’ve noticed my skin isn’t near as dry and flaky and I’m not having cramps at night. I feel fuller and don’t have cravings for sweets like I ddid.
jenny sansouci says
Hey Nancy!! That’s awesome – I agree – skin looks so much better with increased hydration and cravings begin to go away. GO WATER! Thanks for your comment.
Sarah says
Hi Jenny!
First of all, I want to say that I ADORE your blog! I have been considering going to IIN for a while now and your blog just keeps pushing me in that direction. I love your sense of humor and honesty. I have been making a conscious effort to drink more water (I currently have two glass water bottles next to me, one empty and one full). I typically drink about 2.5 liters of water per day. I love adding lemon, cucumber, and mint for a little extra flavor. :-)
jenny sansouci says
Hi Sarah!! I love that you’re making what I like to call “spa water” with lemon, cucumber and mint. Reminds me of a spa every time. So refreshing. Thanks for your kind words about my blog. :) If you ever have questions about IIN, feel free to email me directly anytime! It’s an exciting journey. :) Good luck and thanks for your comment!!!
Brandi says
Hi Jenny!
I know this is late, but I just wanted to thank you for donating to such an awesome charity! I found your original hydration challenge blog post when you first posted it, and I have been coming back to it several times since then to remind myself the importance of staying hydrated. I’ve also shared it with all my friends! I had been drinking about a gallon a day but had gotten off track and I wasn’t feeling so great anymore. Then I started back at 3 liters a day and the difference it makes is amazing! :)
katie says
I did it and it is become a habit and I’m so grateful! The challenge came at the perfect time for me especially since dehydration from too much hot yoga was why I got kidney stones this fall!! woot for water!!
jenny sansouci says
YOU are amazing! Hot yoga definitely calls for EXTRA water my little sister! Drink up! Thanks for joining the challenge. :)
Isabelle says
Hi Jenny! Love the challenge — I’ve also been doing more hot yoga (cure for the Boston winter…ugh) so making a conscientious effort to drink more water throughout the day has made a huge impact during yoga classes and when rock climbing. For yoga, I dislike drinking water during class, so it helps to always feel hydrated beforehand. In climbing, I hate feeling parched halfway up a route — it throws off my breathing and is distracting to the other parts of my body and mind that need attention. Getting ahead of my water intake feels awesome!
Another thing I’m trying to focus on is drinking consistently throughout the day instead of gulping down 20 oz at once. I keep my 48 oz water bottle with me all the time and try to drink at least 2 full bottles per day — some days I make it over 3!
Jon says
fantastic challenge and something that needs to become habitual and not challenging….water can taste so good too!! with over 70% of the planet covered in water it really is unacceptable and sad that we cannot get clean drinkable water to everyone…..surely that is easier than getting a man on the moon!! it’s just the right and compassionate thing to do. thank you for you jenny…..you’re making a huge difference in the lives of so many and i have a feeling we’ve seen nothing yet!!
Blake says
If it works for you that is great. However, not everyone agrees that drinking more water is healthful necessarily. There is an alternative perspective on this topic.
jenny sansouci says
Can you send me a link to the alternative perspective?
Blake says
Sure. Well I can give you the nutritionist’s name who espouses this idea-his name is Aajonus Vonderplanitz. His book is titled, “We Want to Live.” I don’t mean to poo-poo your idea by the way :) – just wanted to add another possibility to consider
Blake says
Oh just read how you add things to your water sometimes – I was referring to plain water above
Blake says
Basically getting hydrated by things that contain water might be a more healthful way to get most of your water. The body will only utilize a small amount of water if it is not from a food source.
Erica Orange says
This is such a great challenge! I recently gave up caffeine, and replaced my morning (and afternoon!) ritual with warm water w/ lemon. Not only have my headaches disappeared, but I have more energy and feel much more clearheaded. I now drink water — A LOT of it! — throughout the entire day, and have added a lot of water-dense foods to my diet. (I am also grateful to have access to clean, abundant drinking water!)
Jessica says
Love the cause. Love the challenge.
I started drinking more water and focusing on rebooting my overall health/wellness as we began 2015. I feel more overall clarity–from my mind, to my skin and also my energy. My favorite way to guzzle H2O is at room temperature with lemon and mint!
Nicolle says
Many thanks for your contributions to this wonderful cause, we forget how many basic health issues are out there with us in our bubble.
I have been aware of needing to up my water intake for some time – and cutting down on tea and coffee- each day is challenging but I am slowly improving eg with herbal teas diluted to full a water bottle and carry my bottle everywhere, it has to be a big improvement.
Congrats and again thanks so much for raising awareness.
Breann says
Awesome!
I have definitely been making an attempt to drink more water (and less alcohol- eeh!) in 2015. I’m still not there yet, but I’m getting in a decent 20-60 ounces on most days (I don’t know what that translates to in metric). Thanks for all of your posts and emails, even when they come few and far between- they’re still awesome!
Gaby says
First of all, GOD BLESS YOU FOR PROVIDING THIS AMAZING OPORTUNITY FOR US TO HELP, & EVERYONE WHO IS IN NEED! and talking about water, of course! Everything you say I’ve been able to experience myself since i changed all kind of drinks for just pure-fresh water when I was 13 (now Im 27) and from that point on, the difference after having a meal is monumental! I feel satisfied, but not almost sick as a result of all the air, sugar and empty calories added :)
Greetings from Monterrey, Mx!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D