More than likely, you’ve heard the “rule” that you’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water per day to stay healthy and hydrated. However, we know now that there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to hydration. Some people need to drink more water than others; it’s as simple as that! So, in your quest to stay hydrated, how can you figure out how much water you should be drinking on a daily basis? There are actually a few factors to consider.
Your Weight
Weight is a major determining factor when it comes to how much water you should be drinking. Generally, the more you weigh, the more water you need to consume to hydrate your body’s cells.
Your Activity Level
Your activity level should also be taken into consideration when determining how much hydration you need. The more active you are, the more you sweat. The more you sweat, the more hydration your body loses. Therefore, the more active you are, the more water you should drink. If you have a sedentary desk job and don’t do any heavy workouts regularly, then you probably don’t need to drink as much water as a similar-sized person who lives a very active lifestyle.
Your Local Climate
Believe it or not, your local climate can also determine how much H20 you should be drinking. The dryer and hotter the climate in which you live, the more likely you are to lose hydration. Therefore, if you live in a hot climate, you’ll probably find yourself needing more water on a daily basis than somebody who lives in a cooler and wetter climate.
As a General Rule…
Of course, all three of these factors must be taken into consideration, as no lone factor is enough to determine your recommended daily water intake. As a general rule, however, you’re in good shape if you’re drinking anywhere between 50% and 100% of your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, then anywhere between 75 and 150 ounces of water per day is ideal.
As you can see, there’s a lot to keep in mind when determining how much water you should be drinking. Now that you have a better idea of how much your body needs, you can make a concentrated effort to drink more water and stay hydrated. Want more fitness tips like this? Like us on Facebook and share below!