I was wondering how much water do you guys drink and why? I drink 3 liters a day. about 100 oz. I keep reading peoples journals and they are saying things like I drink 6 litters or i am drinking 2 gallons. My question is. Can you drink too much water? And what is the point of drinking that much? does it actually help you loose weight? Your body can only use so much. just wondering.



Jon

Hi Jon,

I drink minimum 2 liters, mostly 3. For me it's important, I observed that if I drink less my body will retain it.
My doctor told me that with that kind of weight loss that comes on Atkins the body gets rid of the toxins and not drinking water can cause kidney problems. That is why we keep hearing the rumours of "Atkins diet damages kidneys". Some people just damage them by drinking too little water.
Keep up your good work, see you are doing so great!

Alina

Hi Jon

I am trying to drink 120 oz. a day......

I think what I've heard is to drink (in oz.) 1/2 of your weight..... As for the exact reasons why....I'll leave that to one of our many "experts. I just wanted to send you this link. We had a case of this happening just the other day in Arizona....a woman hiking almost died from drinking too much water...the link will explain why. But, I don't think any of us here are overdoing it

There are cases of "water intoxication"....drinking too much water....but I think it is related mostly to marathon runners and other activities that cause excessive depletion of salt..

http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/A...oomuchwater.htm

I think yes, we can drink too much water. You can leach out too many minerals, upset your electrolytes, "drown" your tissues in too much liquid. It's like anything else. Don't overdo it. I think the Atkins admonition to drink about 64 ounces a day is a good starting point. You may want a little more, or need a little less. Balance it.

Good Luck!

Jon...

Here's a good thread on the importance of drinking water http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthre...threadid=91798. Eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day is the minimum and I've seen a lot of recommendations to drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily. I personally shoot for at least 2 liters, but I think that 2 gallons would be a bit excessive unless you exercise strenuously or live/work in hot dry conditions.

HTH

I usually drink 1.5-2 litres a day... about 48-64oz? probably a bit more than that because i often forget to calculate what i drink at home in the mornings.

and just think of all the bonus exercise from dashing to the bathroom every half hour!

Two gallons would be half my body weight in ounces! Ouch! I have enough trouble getting in my 64-80...

I have a lifelong habit of not even drinking water until lunchtime anyway, because mornings are always coffee/tea/other hot drink time. That's too entrenched a habit for me to easily change; I actually get uncomfortable drinking only cold beverages in the mornings for some reason.

When I get back into a regular exercise pattern I'll probably up my water intake considerably, but for now I'll stick to what's working for me.

thanks you guys. that article was interesting. I think i am about right with drinking 3 liters.



Jon

I drink at least 4 litres a day!

red