Healthy Habits, Month 3: Stay Hydrated 

What is one thing we need but often neglect? Water!  

Building up healthy habits over time can help them stay for good! You are already becoming 1% better every day if you have been journaling your progress and incorporating cardio. This month, your healthy habit is to stay hydrated.  

Water is a key ingredient to keeping your body healthy and running smoothly. With enough water, your body can properly digest food, regulate body temperature, and protect your joints.  

So, how much water should you be drinking per day? The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend 15.5 cups (124 fl. Oz.) a day for men and 11.5 cups (92 fl. Oz.) a day for women.  

Incorporating that much water into your diet is hard! Throughout the day, we often forget to drink water and instead replace water with sugary drinks. This month, skip the sodas! Try substituting all your normal teas or juices with water. This will ensure that you have plenty of fluids without the added calories.  

One easy way to avoid forgetting about water is tracking your intake. Whether you use an app or write down what you drink, tracking ensures you drink enough water! That’s why this month, the YMCA has provided a shading sheet. Using the attached sheet, you can shade how much water you’ve consumed and reach your goal! 

Lastly, carry a reusable water bottle wherever you go. The CDC recommends this tactic, so you never forget about water! Making sure it’s accessible can help increase your water intake throughout the day. 

 
Check out this link to learn more about hydration on YMCA360!