I have no problems knowing when I am thirsty so that is when I drink. I drink about 7- 8 ounces of water when I get up and take my thyroid med. I only know this because it is bottled water and I drink about half. That is the only measure I can think of. When we get our filter installed I will probably drink more water since water and ice will always be on hand. It never occurred to me to track my fluids unless I was ill. I drink water, iced tea and diet soda. Like an infant I drink on demand. I'm a healthy person for my age and I see no reason to medically regulate inflow and outflow. Thinks seem to be working just fine as they are. ;-)

I have a full 24oz Bubba mug of ice water with me 24/7 it sits beside my chair, my bedside, in the car, in my scooter etc. I drink a lot of water. It gets filled many times a day. I don't drink much of anything else. Occasionally if I go out to lunch or dinner I have unsweetened ice tea. I have one glass of iced coffee in the morning. It's essential for me to have water with me due to my Sjogren's syndrome.

Yep Raven that's how it is here with Amiee. She always has a big bottle of water in her power chair. Shes actually supposed to shake a bit of salt in her water or drink more gaterade..she hates salt water lol..and gaterade.

Adellabedella is correct. I will also add that when it is very hot or if you are working or exercising in the heat, you may require more. Also your body can absorb warmer water easier than ice cold water. Not saying you have to drink room temp water all the time, but I find I can drink barely chilled water more easily sometimes than very cold water. I'm strictly a water drinker, except for my morning coffee and an occasional hot or iced tea.

For me I have never drank enough water or any other liquids. I have a 16 oz cup of coffee in the morning, sometime around noon I have a 12oz. soda & for dinner I do have a glass of water about 12 ozs. Even when we work outside I never drank water

I probably drink about 2 liters of water per day.

In the course of one day I drink my half gallon canning jar of cold water from the fridge. That is 64 ounces. I also drink a large glass first thing in the morning... that didn't come from that jar... it's about 16 ounces. So, that is 80oz, which is a bit more, than recommended. Now, this is on a "normal" day... not on a day I ride my bike. On those days, I drink more, I also drink more when working in the yard in the summer, aka, when it is rather warm/hot.

No coffee, no pop, and very seldom a gatorade.

Moni

Drinking water has always been hard for me. I am rarely thirsty. But, a while back, I felt dizzy and realized I was dehydrated. I now try to drink a few glasses a day.

I drink coffee and tea but I don't count those in.

For those who posted their actual intake, thank you. My question was asked to estimate how many containers I should have in the fridge. I think my estimate of 3 bottles will probably be good.

Lucille..this reminds me those water bottles should be washed daily in hot soapy water before refilling. Lol.

Mamapinky, that is absolutely right. While I was researching water bottles, I came across a study done on college students water bottles, some who would simply refill a bottle time after time for a month or more.

The bacterial counts in some of the water bottles were above maximum recommended allowable safety levels.

My used water bottle goes in the dishwasher every night. I have five that I keep filled in the fridge so I always have a cold one.

That is a good idea, to get a number for daily use and then extras.

I do what you are proposing, keep at least two 32oz bottles of water in the fridge chilling.

Have 5 bottles, 1 in use, 1-2 air drying after being washed, and 2-3 filled w/ water getting cold. Drink at least 2 of the bottles daily, take 1 out in the AM before going to work, and another when I get home.

Have several styles/colors, but this is my favorite.

I don't drink nearly enough water per day. I bought a Voss water (large glass bottle) and reuse that. I have one for work, one for home. I like cold water and will even freeze it for a little while to get it icy so it stays cold while I'm drinking it.

I drink at least 64 oz of water each day. We have a whole-house water filtration system, and the water line to the 'fridge is connected to it. The 'fridge has an ice maker and a water dispenser that dispenses chilled water, so we don't have to keep bottles in the fridge to chill.

Hubs and I both use the Go Active bottles. You can buy direct from the company, or from Amazon, which is their authorized distributor. There are three different size water bottles -- 17 oz, 24 oz, and 32 oz, and there is a 16 oz bottle for coffee or other hot liquids. Each size comes in several different colors. They have a no-sweat velvety feel to the exterior, and the colors are all really pretty.

And, I can vouch for the fact that they do keep your liquid cold for well over 24 hours. In fact, you will still have ice in the bottle for more than 24 hours.

A myth is still a myth no matter how many people buy into it.

http://www.sciencealert.com/there-s-no-evidence-we-need-to-drink-eight-glasses-of-water-a-day-researcher-advises

Plus there is this.
Indeed, too much water consumption can actually be harmful, and if taken to the extreme, even deadly. Drinking too much too quickly can result in a dilution of the blood and a condition known as hyponatremia a too-low concentration of sodium in the blood which in turn can be fatal. Some cases of fatal over-hydration have been described in military literature, specifically with troops who have over-consumed water while engaging in strenuous training exercises.
http://www.acsh.org/news/2015/08/25/8-glasses-of-water-myth-is-all-wet

This thread was created to poll people about how much water they actually drink, so that I could plan the number of containers of chilled water to have on hand. As you are pointing out, there are myths about 'should', so one's purchases would better take into account a range of 'actual'.

I've recently given up artificial sweeteners including Diet Coke and artificially sweetened soft drink preparations.

I did read, and thanked you for, your first post which said you drink when you are thirsty and feel no need to quantify the amount you drink. That is fine, and I agree with what you have said about quantification for most people.

I am actually like you in that I have not quantified my intake and so this poll will help. I'm actually going to buy more than I need because several people have pointed out that they have one or several containers washing/drying at any one time.

Thank you for posting the myth link, it is good info. While the hyponatremia info is true, it is seems quite unusual but again, good to know. After decades of being a registered nurse, I have seen plenty of dehydrated folks, but never personally seen even one case of hyponatremia.

Some people do not drink enough water, I think especially in areas like Texas dehydration is in fact an issue, and it seems like water intake is like many other activities, there is a Bell curve with most of us drinking about what we need, some overdoing it, and some not drinking enough.

I thank everyone who has posted pictures of their containers. I have ordered mine, they are not fancy but they had two features that I appreciate: First, they are wide mouth and so easier to clean for me. Second, they have a reputation for being sturdy and not leaking. They are the Nalgene 32 ounce wide mouth water bottles, and I ordered the click in 'sipper'. (Along with that I am going to buy disposable straws). I ordered 8 bottles, more than I need, but I valued the input of those who mentioned that they have several being washed/drying at any one time.

I am deeply concerned for those who drink so very little water or other fluids. It's so essential to healthy metabolic function of our cells. We need plenty of fluids to keep our cells (and organs) flushed, oxygenated, and active.

Anyway, I have no idea how much fluid I take in during a normal day. Water is my primary liquid, but my cup of coffee and occasional tea count, too. I also eat more veggies than is typical....water content in vegetables is beneficial to us.

I've been up for an hour and have already had over twenty ounces of ice water with lemon. I expect that I easily drink over eighty ounces of liquid, mostly water, during the day. I slow down in the early evening so that I'm not up several times during the night.

Our brains are over 85% water! Cells must have access to available water at all times or we lose cognitive ability and other brain functions. If you don't think that that's important, then you simply have not had enough water! ;-)

I know I don't drink enough - my cardio dr. keeps telling me to stay hydrated - I get busy and forget but am working on doing better.

I drink when I'm thirsty and I never measure how much I drink. Mostly water, coffee for breakfast, a cup or two of hot tea in the afternoon. I gave up sweeteners 4 years ago . . . I drank a LOT of Coke Zero. I prefer fizzy water, cold but no ice. Actually, I prefer all my cold drinks cold with no ice (tea or water). But I drink when I'm thirsty and I will drink a glass (or TWO) of water when I am. My DH and my BFF both sip on a glass most of the day . . . I gulp a glass when I'm thirsty. But I figure I drink what I need.

I think the key is to keep drinking water throughout the day. If you drink only when you're thirsty, you aren't really staying hydrated & maintaining hydration. Rather, you're responding to your body's need for water. Those of you who don't drink water are not doing your body (or your skin or organs) any favors. Don't let the hyponatremia scare you off. It's mainly been seen in hyper-athletes who ingest too much water in a fairly short period with no other nutrition. There is more involved.

We keep a variety of different water bottles around. My favorite for the car is the Swell bottle. It's very well insulated, stainless steel and will keep chilled water cold for hours. So when I'm traveling, it's my go-to. For running or hiking I have different needs. Around the house, I usually use a Tervis tumbler, which is not only insulated, I have lids I can use if necessary. Most of the time I don't even use the lids. I don't like sipping from a straw all the time. Many of the ones mentioned already are great (Nalgene bottles, Go Active, anything bpa-free, etc) are great. Just be sure they are easy to clean. If you can't clean easily with soap and water, put some vinegar/water in now and then, shake and let sit for a while.

We also have a whole-house filtration system and a refrigerator with a water dispenser. That water is usually cool enough for me without ice.

Rhizo_1 has stated it best.

In TX, when I started drinking 8-10 cups of water, I immediately noticed I can cool myself much faster as I sweat profusely. Doesn't make me a beauty queen candidate but I'm comfortably cooler than those around me who don't drink as much. Frequent bathroom trips is a minor inconvenience. I have to plan my routes so that I can hit the acceptable bathrooms as I do errands. it is harder to drink that amount water in winter.

i aim for 32-64oz per day. i only drink water, tea or coffee. no soda or anything with sugar. i use truvia to sweeten coffee/tea.

when u are thirsty, you are already dehydrated or close to it. thirst is not a good pre-indicator to needing water.

i agree, harder to drink in the winter.

for cup ideas: Tervis will keep drinks hot or cold for a couple or hours

Yeti: will keep drinks hot for about 12 hours, cold about 24

I am a water bottle horder I admit it! I have 2 storage crates in my pantry filled with a variety. Plus some in the rv. I like different ones for different purposes and places. I always have a large supply of clean dry ones. I fill my used one with detergent and hot water and leave it setting for a while before I put it in the dishwasher. The stainless steel Bubba that is my favorite daily use at home, I have 3. The are double lined, no sweat, keep water and ice for 24 hours according to the information. I don't think I have ever had it lose ice, one of the reasons why I love it. I also like the flip up straw feature rather than the pour it in the mouth type. It is easier on my hands and wrist. I have a tervis handle I put on it. I love tervis tumblers too I have several, and several handles and lids, my morning iced coffee is in a tervis. This is exactly one of my favorite Bubba ones I have another just like it but with a textured finish instead of the sleek shiny.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00881MN3U/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

I have owned all kinds of fancy bottles and use them for a day or a week, and then no more. What works for me is keeping a dz bottled waters in each car and grab as needed. I like room temp fluids. So if you need hot coffee (must for DH) or iced tea the fancy bottles are the way to go. I do try to drink up to 4 c of water before I leave the house so I don't get as thirsty while traveling. It also reduces bathroom stops.

Only when I'm thirsty or have been working outside long enough to perspire heavily.

I have the Bubba 52 oz. I take it to work with me everyday filled with ice water. I have bottled water in the fridge at work in case I drink all of that, but usually it lasts all day. I usually drink a 10 oz glass of water and a 12 oz can of RC before I leave the house to go to work and about the same of the evenings while at home. That's almost 100 ounces of fluid per day. 72 of water and 24 of RC. There might be something wrong with me, but I feel just fine.

Pop coffee and tea with caffeine does not count as water. Caffeine actually will dehydrate you.

"when u are thirsty, you are already dehydrated"

No more so than having hunger means you're malnourished.

My doc told me some years ago that a good indicator of drinking enough water was the color of urine, it should be very light to clear. He told me that many people drink much more than is necessary and he advised against it because the the consequences of doing that weren't well understood. Maybe that's changed, or maybe he was wrong, but that's been the advice I've followed.

There are two interesting articles linked in watchme's comment above, especially the one on the acsh site, for anyone interested in more information on this topic. It's true that many don't drink enough water each day but the fix isn't necessarily to drink excessively large amounts. On the spectrum between too little and too much is "enough", that's a good target.

a dietitian told me pop coffee and tea DO count by 50%. they are made with water but other ingredients may dehydrate you. so if you drink 5 c of water and 1 c coffee, your fluid intake is 5.5 c . Don't forget soup, juice and other liquids. but you have to discard for ingredients like salt, fruit pulp, etc. as the case may be. But the very best is water as it hydrates with least amount of effort to assimilate by our body.

elmer, i have to disagree:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/dxc-20261072

dxc-20261072

i do agree with color of urine and some people over do it. too much, you drop your sodium level and electrolytes.

Email me and I'll send you my doctor's phone number. You can call him. He doesn't get his information by doing word searches on the internet.

Email me and I'll send you my doctor's phone number.

Spoken words from doctors are not holy, and many times they are not even correct. There are good and bad people in all walks of life, and some doctors are incompetent or outright scammers, and some very good doctors disagree with each other on various medical ideas and issues so you can see that the credential does not mean one is hearing the ultimate last word on anything.

Actually a preliminary search on the internet on an issue or subject is a very good idea for all people, so they have some idea of what is going on and can ask well informed questions.

Consumers of medical care can help protect themselves against some poor care, poor doctors, medication dosage errors, receiving medication they are allergic to, and outdated advice by taking the time to look up some basics, general dosages, check the common names of medication that has been prescribed to them. This is even more important when one's child has medical issues.

I try to pick good docs and then I rely on their expertise. The job is made easier by going to those at or affiliated with medical schools, where they need to be current and there is collegiality and oversight. The better the med school, the better the practitioners are there. If you have confidence in your docs and the advice they give, then it's a fools errand for anyone to think that they're going to skunk or second-guess their doc with information they think relevant found on the internet (that they're as likely to not find, or misunderstand, as otherwise). In cases where there's doubt, the right approach is a consultation/second opinion, not an internet session.

"There are good and bad people in all walks of life, and some doctors are incompetent "

Yes. Our good friend, the bell curve, describes most things, including the distribution of capability and competence (and incapability and incompetence, at the other end) of people in any type of endeavor. Including physicians and specialists of any kind.

The bell curve also describes the intelligence of patients and their ability to follow and not follow doctors instructions. Or to understand or not understand what a doctor tells them. Also the distribution of those who ultimately make or not make a rational decision based on the information they have.

" outright scammers"

Not a lot of these among physicians, though there are some, Protection for this is to go to a practice with many partners or a reputable group.

"the credential does not mean one is hearing the ultimate last word on anything"

Of course not but if you think your doc isn't current, then you need to go elsewhere.

The recommended amount for an adult is 8 glasses (8 oz glass) of water per day. The amount will vary depending on what you do and ambient conditions.

Jemdandy thank you. I think 3 of my water bottles per day will be enough as I had originally planned but have extras on hand just in case, I bought 8 water bottles total.

I bought straws as the bottles I got are not the sports top. I did not want to clean the narrow sports top openings, or those bottles that have the fold up plastic sip tops. Mine are wide mouth and with a new straw each use it will be easy to keep them clean.

that they're as likely to not find, or misunderstand, as otherwise

Elmer, you seem to feel that consumers are unable to understand medical information or are somehow too stupid to navigate and find information on the internet. I not only do not agree, I feel it is very important for people to research and gain an understanding of their medical condition and proposed treatments. Statistics show that there are many of both medical errors and unneeded tests/medications/surgeries, and one way for consumers to protect themselves is by being informed.

"you seem to feel that consumers are unable to understand medical information "

Yes, I think that's more true than not. How else to explain many of the ridiculous things well-intentioned people do because of relying on questionable information?

I trust and prefer advice from a competent medical doctor. Others prefer using what their friends say, what the clerk at the vitamin/supplement store says, what they read from the cockamamie websites so many health charlatans have, and what Dr Oz says.

Take your pick and reach your own conclusions.

I trust and prefer advice from a competent medical doctor. Others prefer using what their friends say, what the clerk at the vitamin/supplement store says, what they read from the cockamamie websites so many health charlatans have, and what Dr Oz says.

I'm surprised you stooped to low (or maybe I'm not) to use the old debating trick requiring a choice between what you approve of, and an unacceptable choice. The internet can provide excellent information, some of it medical information from well known universities and medical schools.

I do not join your poor opinion of consumers, perhaps a better path would be to offer suggestions on search skills for those who might want that, rather than belittling them.

As usual Elmers way is the correct way. Elmer do you ever give advice in the KT?

I function with one working kidney, with Renal Stenosis. I also have gout, which was probably caused by years of taking prescribed diuretics, and impaired kidney function. During the last serious gout flare up, I asked my doctor how much water I should drink a day. I had noticed several year ago that I could nip a gout attack in the bud if I drank a lot of water as soon as I noticed the first twinge of pain. But that time it didn't work, due to the diuretic I was taking. Anyhow, he said about 2 liters of PLAIN WATER! Not to count coffee, tea, other liquids, as coffee and tea are diuretic and other liquids contain things that the kidney has to filter out.

I've been trying really hard to stick with this advice, and it's been working for me for almost 2 years now. Sometimes 2 liters of water seems a lot, other times, not so much. I have the ice and water dispenser in the door if the refrigerator, so fresh, filtered, cold water is always available. I keep one of those stainless steel insulated cups filled with ice water with me all the time. I find sipping often throughout the day works better for me than trying to drink a full glass all at once. A few of the meds I take cause my mouth to be uncomfortably dry, so that encourages me to drink, too.

Rusty

P. S. Urine color is a very good indication of whether or not your fluid intake is what it should be. My Nephrologist told me that years ago.

RustyI've been told the same for Amiee..this came from her Nephrologist at Children's hospital Boston and Childrens hospital Pittsburgh. ..and I might add several other doctors that have been studying Amiees rare condition. ..her kidneys are affected with large vascular anomolies. Of course in Rusty and Amiees case with not having healthy kidneys water intake may very well be different.

PS. And yes I want to add about my comment above about Amiee having salt...I already know this is not optimal with kidney problems however Amiee has heart issues that require it...6 of one half dozen of another. I've left this for the doctors to hash out and they have..they are at a stand still.

thanks lucille and mamapinky0 for having my back :) i guess the mayo clinic is not a good enough resource for elmer. whatever, to each his own but i could do w/o the rude comments.

The best resource most people have is to pose questions and get information from the doctors who provide them with medical care. That was the angle I was discussing.

Those who think they know better (from generic information they may or may not fully understand) or plan to go off in their own direction anyway have no reason to ask for an expert's opinion. Same comment for those who doubt the expert opinions they receive.

My water bottles just got delivered!!! I am setting up a mini fridge just for water, with my water bottles and also some sealed disposable waters for guests.

I know, a whole fridge for water, it seems a little over the top, but drinking water instead of soda or sugar free juice is a big change for me, so all the ceremony helps me move on to a healthier me.

The reference shown in the link above about the water intake was connected to the Mayo Clinic, and i have a good deal of respect for their pronouncements.

As the weather has warmed recently, I've found that I've been drinking more water.

The landlord's folks cultivated my garden yesterday, having been delayed due to substantially sustained rainfall, so, as the season's getting late and rain was forecast, I staked, stringed and planted till dark last night ... and was pleased to use the bottle of water that I'd put into the fridge last fall when it was warm, and I'm pretty sure has sat there untouched all winter.

ole joyful

The link to the Mayo clinic above addresses the dangers of dehydration. True. But this is what the Mayo Clinic has to say about the 8 glasses of water myth.

What about the advice to drink 8 glasses a day?

Everyone has heard the advice, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day." That's about 1.9 liters, which isn't that different from the Institute of Medicine recommendations. Although the "8 by 8" rule isn't supported by hard evidence, it remains popular because it's easy to remember. Just keep in mind that the rule should be reframed as: "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day," because all fluids count toward the daily total.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

The above should also state including fluids in food since all reliable scientific studies seem to agree as per my original links in my earlier post.

I don't know if this is the upper limit for safe water consumption, but I once read about a woman in the PNW that drank 2 gal of water to win a radio contest and she died. I don't remember details as to how much water/hour, or her weight, etc. but the 2 gal number stuck in my brain.