ObesityHelp

I am pre-op still but my number 1 trick... always have something with you.  I have a desk job and find that if I dont have some on hand it is easy to get sidetracked and then I never have anything.  If I take a moment to refill everytime I get up then I easily get a bunch in for the day.  My number 2 trick is flavors to keep things interesting. 

 Great advice so far. Make sure you start as soon as you wake up. Have a bottle next to your bed. When you get up, grab it and start drinking. I meet my 100 ounces a day goal very easily by 2 or 3pm. It's tedious and not much fun to drink when you aren't thirsty, but if you treat it like any other chore you need to do every day, you can knock it out pretty quickly. It doesn't have to be water every time every day, though. Green tea, decaf coffee, crystal light/mio water enhancers, diet lemonade. There are so many options for you out there!

I'll echo the other suggestions.  As soon as I finish my morning protein drink, I fill up a 24 oz glass with water or water flavored with Crystal Light and keep it with me so that I sip on it constantly.  When that's empty, I refill.

I make this tea combo - one pkg of SF apple cider mix (Kroger brand), one bag Bigelow apple cider tea, one bag Celestial Seasonings cinnamon apple spice.  Makes one liter.  I keep it in a thermos and right now I'm drinking 2-3 liters.  This is very unusual for me, so very happy to have found something I like so much.

Hi E,

I am 6+ weeks out and I have found that if I drink water as soon as I get up in the morning, its easier to get in all my 64 ounces of water in for the day.  (less of course during the first few weeks, I was required 30 ounces then)   I am drinking between 16 + 32 ounces before breakfast, right off the bat, it seems to go quickly then, I suppose because my stomach and bowels are clear and ready to accept it.  Then after about 20 minutes I have my breakfast which is more liquid.   Currently using a chocolate Premier Protein shake to start getting 30 grams and I mix in about half a cup of Kefir (a cultured milk) that I have drank for years.  (to introduce pro biotics into my gut on a daily basis)  This is an aside but I make my own Kefir, I have been making it and drinking it for years and was so glad there was no issue with it from day one back at home...   (its got lots of B vitamins and other good things, just like yogurt but more and less viscous)

I also use that android app it is sooooooooo help full, I drink coconu****er when I fell dehydrated its not the best tasting beverage but I feel a whole lot better after at least one. Warm liquids seem to go done easier and I can drink about 2 more oz with warm tea than cold water.

I don't have a desk job, so I have a hard time getting it in.  I have to make a conscious effort while I am sitting to drink.  I try to get a lot in on my commute.  I can drink a 20 oz bottle each on the half hour drive to and from work.  Add in the decaff or tea I get in during the day or later in the evening and I'm set.  I agree with the other posters- variety in flavors helps and warm beverages go down easier.  Ideally I'd sip all day, but with my job it just doesn't always happen that way.  Good luck finding a system that works for you!

Linda,

My doctor told me 64 ounces or more, for life!   All the water we need and that were no longer getting from our foods, boils down to that safe minimum.    You also want to to keep your gall bladder, and kidneys well flushed, during the rather rapid weight loss that you will have, especially during the first 6-12 months.   You might be able to get along with less but I would have some conversations about it before hand.   Good Luck