Fluids Challenge

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting their fluids in? I know we're supposed to sip sip sip all day long, but I'm finding that difficult. It was much easier PreOP to just down a glass of water at a time, while standing next to the kitchen sink, then be on my way! This is how it goes for me and as you see, I start off with good intentions but then somehow waver when it comes to following through: Get cup of coffee, sit down and check email figuring I can drink the coffee. Take a sip or two, put it on the coffee table where it gets cold and I dump it later in the sink (before babies find it and dump it somewhere else). Pour glass of water to sip, take a sip then leave in kitchen on counter. Pour glass of Crystal Light and take into bedroom with me...leave on dresser while I shower. Sometime later, take another sip of Crystal Light but leave glass on dresser. Later on, see glass of water on counter and figure it's "stale"...dump it out (or water a nearby thirsty plant) and get fresh water. Take a sip, set it down on counter. Later, walk into bedroom and see Crystal Light glass, figure it's warm...take it to kitchen and dump it. While in kitchen, take another sip of water. About to run out the door, grab bottle of flavored water, on the road take a few sips...end up leaving bottle in car where it sits all day/night and I end up tossing it later on. Come home, see stale water on counter and dump it. See my point? I feel insane! I'm really not getting any fluids in. If I could only chug a little, I'd be done with it, but at this point I think it would almost better if I could be permanently attached to an IV (I'm kidding, of course). In between all of this, I am very busy working around the house, working online, chasing two toddlers, cleaning the house and all that entails, running errands, driving kids around, etc. Add to that, trying to fit in scheduling minimeals and not drinking 30 mins before or 30 mins after (ugh...this is a toughie for me) and protein shakes (which I have been considering as part of my fluid intake). Anyone care to help? Chele

I have to make getting the liquids in "fun". I bought some new smaller glasses in really cool colors (I love glasses anyway). Then I have been putting lemon slices in my water to give it that extra touch. I also keep a notepad handy so I can "plan" when I can drink and eat. I find if I know that I have to have my water down by 10:00 so I can eat for instance that helps me. Hope you find something that helps! Leeanne

with the true lemon in my water I can almost chug - its odd and I have to watch myself. tea is also much easier to drink and goes down easily. HTH!

Tiffany, I tried a sample of True Lemon and really liked it. I went to their site and apparently they have it at my local Kroger. However, last time I was there I looked for it (in the spice isle) but couldn't find it. Where did you find yours? Did you get the packets or the shaker bottle? Did you see that they have a True Lime too? Bet that's good too! Chele

I usually have a sf coco as a treat every day and that counts as fluid and has 4g of protein too I have a very large glass - it's 28oz. I fill it up 3 times a day with Crystal Lite, sometimes mixed with Isopure and sometimes just the Crystal Lite but that's how I get my fluids in. Now my lifestyle is no way as hectic as yours. I'm pretty housebound due to my disability so I can drink all day long to my hearts content. And I usually get in more that I need to. But I've always been a big drinker Good luck. Regards and hugs, Ronna

Chele, I find the only way I can do it is by using a water bottle. I just keep refilling some I bought while out shopping, etc., so there's always at least one cold one in the fridge. I find I drink a lot more than if I use a cup. I know it seems weird, but it works for me. Also, I can usually get at least 20-24oz. when I work out. Also, are you counting your protein shakes as fluids? Our nutritionists allow us to count those ounces in our total fuid intake. So, I usually make my Nectar flavors with 10 oz of liquid and I drink at least 2/day, so that's 20 oz. right there. Add the water I drink while working out and I'm already at around 44, so then I only need another 20 or so for the rest of the day. Good luck. I know it's hard, especially when there are so many rules around how and when to drink. Lisa S.

Chele~ I made a personal rule for myself. Everytime it gets near meal time and I start to get hungry I get myself a 16oz glass of something (Crystal light, SF koolaide, water). I make myself drink the entire thing and then wait 30 mins before I eat. Normally I am hungry enough that I get the whole glass down in 20 mins or so. If you do that for each meal that would be 48 of the 64oz we are supposed to get in. Dawn

Chele: I put 2 24 oz. water bottles in the fridge. I take one out and drink from it all day. If it gets warm, I put it back in fridge and take out the other one, and so on. By the end of the day, both have to be empty. Then you can count other liquids in for your total. Diana

Hi Chele, I've been having a real stuggle myself. I went and bought the True Lemon over the weekend and love it. I find I can drink more water now then before. I can't find the True Lime though, I'm sure it tastes just as good. Give it a try. Carly

~~~THREADJACK~~~ FYI on the True Lemon I had requested the sample a while back(when it was posted on the main board), tried it and enjoyed it. A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the company as a "follow-up" they wanted to know if I liked it and what I thought. I emailed her back and told her I really liked it, and would buy it in the store, but I was really more interested in the True Lime flavor, as I love lime. I told her I was disappointed that I was not able to find Lime in my local store to try. On Friday I got a large envelope in the mail. It was sample packets of both Lemon and Lime and several coupons. What a wonderful thing to do! I was so surprised and excited! That is great customer service! It pays to give feedback! Just wanted to share! ~~~UN-THREADJACK~~~