Water is probably the most essential part of living & one of the hardest things to make sure you’re getting enough of.

It seems that a lot of people out there do not get the recommended daily value of 8 cups per day. Either because they find it too hard or they just don’t think about it.

With that said, I thought I would share what I do to get enough water everyday. Maybe some of my ‘tips & tricks’ can help you, too!

For my daily intake, I go by 21 Day Fix’s standards: half of my weight in ounces. So, for example, I weigh 160 pounds – divide by 2 equals 80, so 80 ounces each day.

First, I prepare so that I always have it on hand. If I run out of water while I am at work, it is very easy for me to say, ‘Oh well, let me get a Coca-Cola out of the vending machine instead’.

I start my day with a 24 oz Tervis filled up. I drink faster through a straw, so the first 24 ounces are a breeze for me. I fill it up in the morning, have it in my car cup holder on the drive to work & within an arm’s reach on my desk at work.

Then, when I finish my Tervis, I move on to what I have bottled. I keep two 1 liter bottles in the fridge for easy access.

If you do the math, you’ll see it is an extra 10 ounces, but I’m okay with that. :] In all honesty, most days I end up drinking a lot more water than I need. But I am the type of person that always has to have a drink of some sort handy.

Sometimes, I get ‘bored’ with plain water.

If this happens to you, it is easy to flavor your water! I keep my flavorings simple. Sometimes I just add some lemon juice, other times I will put some lime juice, and every now and then, I’ll put some fresh mint leaves in my water.

For fresh ingredients like mint or sliced fruit, you will want to let the water sit overnight. Otherwise, your flavors won’t be noticeable.

In conclusion:

• Always have water on-hand – in your car, at work, at home.
• Drink through a straw if you need to.
• Flavor with natural fruit juices or slices, mint, or cucumber.
• Prepare the night before – fill up your water bottles, add your flavors, etc.

I hope this helps! If you have any ‘tips or tricks’ on how to drink more water, leave them in the comments below!