Drinking Water- How Much Should I Drink Each Day?-

About 80% of the water that people need to stay hydrated is consumed through drinks, while the other 20% comes from food (watermelons, cucumbers, other foods with high water content). 

So, how much should you drink...

• Eight 8 oz. glasses for a small, inactive person
• An overweight person needs 1 additional glass for every 25 lbs. of excess weight
• Drink more if it's hot or dry outside
• Drink more when you're sweating or breathing hard
• Increase water when at high altitudes or flying- thin, dry air dehydrates
• Drink more water if trying to loose weight
• Drink water even if you're not hungry- it keeps you hydrated and with glowing skin

("Water.")

When you're thirsty, do you ever just grab a soda?  Well even though that is a fluid, it is loaded with calories and sodium.  The benefits of drinking fluid are completely killed because of all the added ingredients in the soda.  So even if a nice, cold soda sounds good, try having a cup of water first. 

Drinking water doesn't always taste or sound good, but you still need to stay hydrated, so try drinking or eating:

• Tea- Green tea is amazing for your body, and can actually raise your metabolism-which is the rate that your body burns calories throughout the day (Shomon, Mary.)
• Juice
• Milk
• Watermelon
• Cucumbers
• Celery ("Water.")

"Water: How much should you drink every day?"  CNN.com 23 May 2006. 31 Mar. 2007 <http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/NU/00283.html>.

Shomon, Mary. "Green Tea Extract Increases Metabolism, May Aid in Weight Loss." About . 2007. 19 Apr. 2007 <http://thyroid.about.com/cs/dietweightloss/a/greentea.htm>.