Water Intake Tips, Please!!

I am having a terrible time getting in my water. Please share your tips and tricks on how to get it all in. I'm lucky to take in 20-30 ozs. a day. I think this is one of the reasons my weight is at a stand-still too. And I'm not taking in much protein either. Seems like the soft carbs (pastas, cereals, crackers, etc.) go down so much easier. I'm afraid of getting in the same old rut that I've been in for years...carbs, carbs, carbs. Guess I'm just getting frustrated at the scales staying in one spot too long. Now the up side!!! I'm thankful that I've lost about 30 lbs. so far. I feel much better...and not nearly as tired as I used to...don't require as much sleep either... Hope everyone is doing well...and staying healthy. Thanks for being here. Hugs... Lisa

Hi Lisa, What kind of diet regimen are you on? Most surgeons/nutritionists advise patients to be on "stages" as they go along, post-op. Believe me, I can surely relate to your problem of getting in enough water! I have never really been a "water drinker," even pre-op. I always opted for the carbonated drinks (mostly carbonated flavored water), and even then only about one or two bottles, daily. Now that I am told to sip water all throughout the day, I just seem to rebel against that, and have to FORCE the water down. I am like you..I am lucky to get in the same amount as you do, presently, and I know that I need to increase it. I am trying hard to follow the sample daily diet schedule my Nutritionist laid out to me, prior to the surgery. It is as follows: 7:00 a.m. - 8 ounce (one cup) supplement, drinking two ounces at a time (water, Carnation Instant Breakfast, milk, sugar free drink, diluted fruit juice, protein shake, etc.) 9:30 a.m. - Breakfast (1/4 to 1/2 cup) 12:00 Noon - 8 ounce supplement 2:30 p.m. - Lunch (1/4 to 1/2 cup) 5:00 p.m. - 8 ounce supplement 7:30 - Dinner (1/4 to 1/2 cup) 9:00 - 8 ounce supplement In between these times, I was told to sip water during the day...even if it means carrying a bottle of water (or sippy cup) around with me wherever I go. I am not much into drinking milk or fruit juices, so I just stick with the protein shakes where indicated. But, like you, the WATER is the problem for me...I have to actually jog my memory and remind myself to drink it. Once my skin starts to itch from being too dry, I know it is because I am not getting enough fluid intake, and try to increase it. I guess it just takes a really conscious effort to get that fluid in. I am really, really trying, in that area. I wish you the best of luck as you progress, and please know that there are those out here that can relate. By the way...30 pounds in a month is FANTASTIC!! You go, girl! God bless you! Pat

Hello Lisa. I had surgery on 12/06. I am 57 and I just made up my mind that this is going to work and that I am breaking out of the old habits that made me MO and suffer diets, weight gains, loss, weight gain, and on and on for 40 years. I miss my diet soda yes, but big deal. I went out and purchased two 32 oz jazzy containers. I have one at work and one at home. I sip all day and all evening. My skin is radient from all the water. I discovered that I dislike the artifically flavored diet snapple, crystal lite, etc; so water is my only choice. I carry one of these containers with me everywhere. I sip sip sip. I also drink Smart skim milk with my delicious protein powder drink, Jay Robb's Whey protein (24 grms per scoop). I found this great protein drink at my local Whole Foods Market. I usually start and stop my day with one of these. I am eating regular food and have been lucky not to find many "pouch unfriendly" foods. I stay away from most of the carby stuff. These are foods that are not first or second on my list. Protein is first always. The carbs are those foods that helped get me to the MO level. These are pretty empty foods and you would be wise to stay away from them. You want this to work and you want a new life. Leave the crackers, cererals, pastas, etc behind you. Look for carbs in natural things. I just had a Gerber's baby applesause, natural carbs= 12grms. I find that FitDay.com is a great place to track your daily intake. Go there and see what I mean. I also journal daily to make sure I take my vitamins, record my feelings, and emotions. I am happy and so pleased that I made this decision to take back my life. Good luck to you, Monica

My nutri told me to try this. Take a empty pitcher and every time I drank something liquid regardless of what it was a protein shake, crystal light etc. to pour that amount of water into the pitcher to get a visual of what I was really drinking. The nurse in my dr's office says not to count protein shakes but my nutri says yes to count them as fuild/water. You might be getting me more then you think. I do run my humifiifer at night to help keep me hydrated.

Lisa, What has worked for me is Decaffeinated Ice tea with alot of lemon juice in it, for some reason I need alot of flavor now and didn't really before. Also the protein issue was really hard for me also and now I've found a liquid protein that I take instead of the shakes which I couldn't stand at all, they made me sick every time I drank them. The liquid protein I take 2 tbs. 3 to 4 times a day and it give me 15 grams of protein everytime I take it. Hope this helps. Loni

I'm having the same problems. It's been hard to get in the water and protean. As for the water, I've tried Crystal light, Propel, Aqua Splash, and bottled water. Today I tried Diet Snapple Cranberry Raspberry juice drink. No aftertaste! It still takes me a while to dink, but at least I like the taste!!! Now I just have to find a protean I like. Liz (EdeCar)