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I want to work on developing some healthier habits this year and I’m hoping you’ll join me 🙂

I’ve been setting shorter-term goals lately because I’ve found that they work better for me. I can really focus on that goal or habit if I know that it’s only for a few weeks.

I can get burnt out or have too short of an attention span for long-term goals.

So, the first habit I want to work on developing is drinking more water.

Keep reading to find out the details and how you can join me in this.

New Habit Challenge: Drink More Water

Why Do It?

I’m pretty terrible at drinking enough water. Unless I get really thirsty, I just don’t crave it and I forget to take a sip.

Without getting too scientific, I’ll just say that our bodies need water to function. It’s super important.

Plus, there are huge benefits to staying hydrated, like better skin, decreased fatigue, and fewer headaches to name a few.

I even read that a few studies have found that drinking more water can help you lose weight because you’re not drinking as many calories if you’re drinking plenty of water.

I could literally drink all of my calories everyday. I love juice, soda, hot cocoa… You name it. When I count calories every once in a while, I always struggle to drink fewer calories so that I can get more and better nutrients from food.

I’m kind of hoping that if I get in the habit of drinking enough water, I’ll crave water more and soda less. I’m not sure if that’s a thing, but I’m hoping 🙂

The Plan

When Austin was in the hospital, the nurses all said that we should be drinking half of our body weight in ounces of water each day. Example: If you weight 100 pounds, you need to drink 50 ounces of water per day.

I need to drink about 70-ish ounces of water per day.

The challenge is going to last 3 weeks. 21 days seems like the minimum amount of time it takes to create a real habit, so I want to track my water intake daily for 21 days.

Here’s my strategy: My favorite water bottle is 24 ounces, so to simplify things, I’m going to try to drink three water bottles per day.

I wasn’t planning on counting soda or coffee, but then I found this article that says that they can count because they’re still hydrating. I usually drink one cup of coffee and one can of soda per day, so I’ll subtract that from the water I need to drink.

I prefer to drink cold water, so every night before bed, I’m going to fill a pitcher up and put it in the fridge so that I have plenty of cold water ready the next day to fill up my water bottle with.

I’ve never liked water infused with fruit or anything like that, but I might try it if I get really sick of plain water.

The easiest way I can think of to track my water intake is through my to do list. I make up a to do list every night for the next day. I’m going to add three boxes to check off each day for the three water bottles I need to drink.

Let’s Do It Together

I want you to join me!

I’m going to check in on Facebook and Instagram a few times during the challenge. I’ll share how I’m doing with drinking my three water bottles each day, if I’m feeling the benefits of better hydration, and and insights on making it easier.

I’d love for you to comment how you’re doing and any of your insights as well, so don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Instagram (or both).

At the end of the 3 weeks, I’ll post a wrap-up blog post. Hopefully, I’ll be in the habit of drinking more water by then!