Water – Are you getting enough? Plus a giveaway!

Here’s a question: How much water do you drink each day?

Many of us are not getting enough.  Proper hydration is important for everyone, whether you are athletic or not.  As we look forward to the summer months, staying hydrated becomes even more critical.  Even mild dehydration can drain your energy levels and make you more susceptible to heat stroke.

Personal hydration needs vary based on sex, climate, age and activity level, but the Institute of Medicine suggests about 3 liters/day for men and 2.2 liters/day for women.  If you want to find out your personal recommendation, go check out this handy water calculator.  The easiest way to tell if you are drinking enough water is if your urine is pale yellow to clear (unless you’ve just taken a multivitamin in which case it would be darker for a few hours).  Any darker than that, and you need to up your water intake.

If you find that you are not getting enough, my number one tip is always to find a reusable water bottle that you like and carry it with you everywhere.  Having a water bottle with you at all times will remind you to drink water throughout the day.  Try to resist the urge to buy giant packs of plastic water bottles.  Bottled water is generally from a tap source (not from a pure mountain spring as they would have you believe), and we all know by now that they are not so good for the environment.

I have a few bottles that I rotate between, but my new favorite is my Bamboo Bottle.  The Bamboo Bottle Company sent me one of their water bottles right before Christmas which was perfect because I was able to take it with me on my cross-country travels.  I thought the design of the bottle was ingenious with the bamboo on the outside and glass on the inside.  I will tell you, I definitely prefer drinking out of glass over plastic or metal.  Water tastes so much better out of glass!  Plus, I know that there aren’t any chemicals being leached into my water from the bottle.  The other cool part about the glass insert is that I can drink cold water or hot tea out of my bamboo bottle.  Definitely not something I could do with plastic or metal.  The bottle is heavy which takes a little getting used to but it is easy to take apart and clean.  The only downside is that it doesn’t hold quite as much water as I would like it to so I have to fill it up often.

Overall, I’m in love with my Bamboo Bottle, and I thought you would like the chance to win one of your own.

***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment telling me how much water you drink every day.

For extra entries (maximum 5 total entries) leave a separate comment for each:

Like Bamboo Bottle Co on Facebook

Follow Bamboo Bottle Co on Twitter

-Share this giveaway on Facebook

-Share this giveaway on Twitter (enter to win a @BambooBottleCO bottle from @InspiredRD http://bit.ly/Af1Ucd)

Contest ends March 9th at 10pm EST. Winner will be determined via random.org.

 

Good luck, and drink up!

 

**disclaimer: I was provided a free water bottle from Bamboo Bottle Co. but all opinions are my own**

  • Angelique March 2, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Oh, another washable bottle would be great to have cuz they tend to break at some point! especially all of my plastic ones!! I drink 3 fills of my Mission plastic tumbler (from retreat) every day….sometimes 4, depends what I do each day, and it does go everywhere with me!

  • Stephanie March 2, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    oooo! I love this water bottle! I carry a 32 oz nalgene with me everywhere and I try to drink at least 2 a day, and more in the summertime!

  • Barbie Allen March 2, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I’d love to enter, I drink 4 glasses of a water a day. Sometimes more 🙂

  • Barbie Allen March 2, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I liked Bamboo Bottle Co on Facebook

  • Lindsey March 2, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    I want one! It’s a chore for me to get in 5-6 cups per day. I feel like I’m always forcing it down– but I have never been one to feel thirsty unless I’m exercising. Very bad for a nursing mama!

  • feener March 2, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    i am not sure how much i drink but i know it can always be more. when i have a water bottle with me all the time, i am sooo much better, but once i forgot it i am bad. would love this bottle !!!

  • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche March 2, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    I rpobably drink about 6 big cupfuls of water a day – usually with a little orange squash mixed in! 🙂

  • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche March 2, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    I also like Bamboo Bottle Co on Facebook 🙂

  • Laurie March 2, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    I drink about 60 ounces of water a day.

  • Laurie March 2, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Tweeted – https://twitter.com/#!/Organicandcheap/status/175729456592338944

  • Amy March 2, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    I am addicted to water – can’t leave the house without it. I trink about a gallon a day.

  • Alisa March 2, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    Looks lovely!

    I usually drink 4-6 liters of water a day.

  • Shannon March 2, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    I drink about 24 oz of water per day on average. I am working on increasing that number a bit.

  • Erica Sch March 2, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    As a nutrition student, hopefully RD some day, I know the importance of drinking water!! I always carry the same two camelbak water bottles and I am in desperate need of a third bottle. The others have seen better days…And I have been really curious about the bamboo bottles to try.

  • Jess @ Floptimism March 2, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    I just broke my reusable water bottle, and these sound great! I tend to drink around 40oz water a day – just keep my bottle with me and refill it when it gets empty!

  • Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile March 2, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    I’ve never actually counted how much, but I am always refilling my cup!

  • Stephanie March 2, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    At almost 35 weeks pregnant, I am ALWAYS thirsty so I would venture to guess that I’m drinking more water than average (although I’m not keeping track). 😉

  • Jules March 3, 2012 at 3:18 am

    I probably don’t drink enough! One of the tricks I’ve heard (from a friend who recently lost about 50 pounds!) is to put 5 rubber bands on your left wrist when you get to work, and move the bands to your right wrist when you drink a glass of water.

  • Jennifer Iley March 3, 2012 at 8:18 am

    I love this bottle – would love to win it. Thanks for the opportunity.

  • Jennifer Iley March 3, 2012 at 8:19 am

    During the workweek, I have access to a free filter and I usually drink 72 ounces per day using a refillable stainless steel bottle.

  • Jennifer Iley March 3, 2012 at 8:21 am

    I liked them on facebook for an extra entry. I also have issues with drinking out of plastic – this bottle would be great since it’s glass and it’s beautiful. I have also been wondering about the bottles that have built-in filters (not the ones for major travelling where water is unsafe). I am just looking for one that will filter the bad taste from tap water. Have you tried any of those? My water at home is terrible and we don’t have a service so I really struggle with getting enough water on the weekends.

  • Jennifer March 3, 2012 at 2:26 pm

    I’m pretty much never without my camelbak water bottle. My minimum water intake is 48oz daily but it’s usually much more than that. 🙂

  • Tiffany March 3, 2012 at 8:19 pm

    I doubt that I ever drink enough, but I refill my bottle several times a day.

  • Jessica Harris March 4, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Not nearly enough… I *try* to drink a glass at every meal. And honestly rarely drink in between meals. Maybe a glass around 3 to stave off a mid afternoon snack. But I’m not working out nearly as much as I would like (if you were here you’d totally kick my butt!! haha). So I like to think my exertion level is down 🙂 Regardless I know I need to drink more! And your right glass tastes SO much better than plastic or metal!

  • Jessica Harris March 4, 2012 at 8:49 am

    I liked them on facebook 🙂

  • Jessica Harris March 4, 2012 at 8:51 am

    I shared it on facebook too 🙂

  • Miranda @ Biting Life March 4, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I usually try to get in about 130oz daily! It sounds like a lot but I LOVE water and I know it’s good for me 🙂

  • Miranda @ Biting Life March 4, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    I liked them on Facebook!

  • Jen S. March 4, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    I have been drinking water like a fish lately as I’m pregnant. I don’t keep track, but I know its a lot. Would love a chance to win this bottle.

  • Amanda March 4, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    I “liked” the bamboo water company on facebook.

  • Amanda March 4, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Not quite sure how much water I drink everyday, but I always have a reusable cup at my desk all day (that’s filled with water of course!).

  • Laura March 4, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    I aim for 2 L every day – twice filled Nalgene! The new best way to water consumption however is the cups with the Straws. You drink so much without even realizing and they are perfect for hot yoga classes! Any water bottle can always be put to good use:)

  • shaunna ulrick March 5, 2012 at 8:58 am

    I have a cup on my desk and I don’t fill it as often as I should.
    When I get bored with plain water I make tea 🙂

  • Debbie L March 5, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    WOW. Im terrible. I drink about 8 cups of coffee a day and thats it..

  • schleyna miller March 5, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    i try to drink about 8

  • Dean March 5, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    I aim for 2 litres per day.

  • Nicole Yunker March 5, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    I drink at least 100 oz a day! I only drink water and nothing else!

  • Michaela Miller March 5, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    During the work week I drink 75 oz of water each day and on the weekends when I’m outside gardening in the FL sun – it’s 100oz. I banned plastic bottles years ago, and the metal water carriers do get a bit of a funky taste, so I’d love a bamboo/glass water bottle. Thank you!

  • ilaybalilay March 5, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    i live in a tropical country so i drink at least 2 liters of water on not so warm days and at least 3 liters on very hot days.

  • ilaybalilay March 5, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    likes bamboo bottle on fb
    fb name: anya mendoza

  • ilaybalilay March 5, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    follows bamboo bottles tweets

  • ilaybalilay March 5, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    retweeted here: http://bit.ly/zbO3rt

  • Anahi March 5, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    I honestly don’t drink enough water. I usually drink a glass of water at night because I get really thirsty. I guess that’s a sign that I’m dehydrated.

  • Anahi March 5, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    I like Bamboo Bottle Company on Facebook

  • Anahi March 5, 2012 at 5:32 pm

    I follow @bambooBottleCO on Twitter (@Annaeeee)

  • Scott March 6, 2012 at 8:01 am

    3-4 glasses.

    I wanted to see one before buying and the only store in my area that is supposed to carry them had no evidence that they ever sold them. Winning one would be great, thanks for the opportunity.

    Previously liked on Facbook and now following on Twitter.

  • Robin March 6, 2012 at 8:50 am

    At Christmas time, we took our kids to see Santa. After they told him what they wanted for Christmas, he looked at them and asked what Mom and Dad would like. Right on cue, my daughter said, “Mom needs a new water bottle!”

    I drink between 48-72 oz. a day. I can definitely tell when I’ve only filled my water bottle twice, rather than three times. The idea of being able to put hot tea in it on cold days would be fabulous!

  • Shay Quigley March 6, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    I drink about 8-10 cups a day. And, yes, I pee like crazy.

  • Priya March 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    I drink 2.2 liters a day, maybe even 3 because I do hot yoga everyday.

  • Nicole @harvestcrate March 7, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    Great idea! following @BambooBottleCO on Twitter. Go Green! …And eat more Fruit. @harvestcrate

  • Rachel March 7, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    I drink about 4-5 glasses a day. Also following on Twitter and Facebook. Love the bottle!

  • Ashley Hughes March 8, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    I try to drink 2-3 bottles of a big water bottle I have. But it’s not a filtered bottle, just a big bottle. So far I’ve done good with drinking only water everyday.

  • Ashley Hughes March 8, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I like the Bamboo Bottle Co on Fb

    • Brooke March 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm

      Love this bottle! I try to drink around 8 glasses (8 ounces) each day.

  • Martha March 9, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    Is it valid to say I know I don’t drink enough? Probably 4, if I’m lucky. I’m in chemo right now and NEED to be drinking more. A pretty bottle can’t hurt my efforts!

  • Rebecca March 9, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    I don’t drink enough since I stopped using my plastic Nalgene – maybe 6 glasses a day now. I don’t care for stainless steel and have been wanting to get something glass to try. These look awesome!

  • Megan @MNMSpecial March 9, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    I drink enough water to float away about 130oz

  • Rebecca March 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    Liked Bamboo Bottle Co on Facebook

  • Megan @MNMSpecial March 9, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Following them on twitter.

  • kim March 9, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    Looks super cool

  • Kimberly @christlikemommy March 9, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    Like on FB

  • Libby March 9, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    I drink about 100+ ounces a day…I’m a camel 🙂

  • Beth Harkins March 9, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    I definitely don’t drink enough water. Maybe a few bottles a day.

  • Kimberly @christlikemommy March 9, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    Liked on Facebok

  • Kimberly @christlikemommy March 9, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    Oops the

  • Kimberly @christlikemommy March 9, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    Okay now i know, don’t do this from the iPhone. I liked on Facebook, followed on twitter, tweeted and shared on Facebook. I posted twice for Facebook but the second was supposed to be for twitter and the third which submitted prematurely. Lol Ughhh.

  • Sharon March 9, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    I usually drink 5-6 glasses of water per day although I’d like to drink closer to eight. Would love to win this bottle to help me drink more!

  • Lindsey March 9, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    I like Bamboo Bottle Co on Facebook too 🙂