How to Calculate your Daily Water Needs
You often hear about needing eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy, but that number doesn't apply to everyone. These guidelines will help you find out how much H2O you really need.
Instructions
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Weigh yourself on an accurate scale. This will determine how many cups or ounces of water you should consume daily.
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2
Divide your weight in half to determine the number of ounces of water you should have daily. For example, a 120-lb. person should have 60 oz., or five 12-oz. glasses per day; a 200-lb. person should have 100 oz., or between eight and nine 12-oz. glasses.
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Keep track of your daily water intake for 2 weeks to see whether you need to increase your consumption.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't care for the taste of plain water, add a twist of lemon or other fruit to make it more appealing. Or freeze fruit juice in ice cube trays and pour a glass of water over your fruity ice cubes.
Remember that if you feel thirsty, you are already starting to experience dehydration.
In general, water isn't something you're likely to consume too much of during a given day. Older adults, especially those who have kidney problems or suffer from incontinence, should talk to their doctors about limitations on liquid consumption.
It's also important to note that if you exercise at a strenuous or even moderate pace, you'll need more than your typical daily recommended amount of water.
Remember that sugary and caffeinated beverages can contribute to dehydration because they are diuretics.
