Try the pee test (my favorite metric). After your morning pee, check the color. Aim for straw-yellow, not lemonade or iced tea. If you hit clear, you’re overdoing it. If you’re dark, drink a glass now. Simple, free, and doesn’t require a gallon jug.
Another hack: weigh yourself before and after exercise. If you lost one pound, drink about 16–24 ounces of water. (Don’t pull an Olivia and chug a whole liter in one go—that’s how you pee it all out in thirty seconds.)
The irony of forcing water
I’ve seen people force down water until they feel sick. Newsflash: hyponatremia (low sodium from overhydration) can be dangerous. It happened to a marathon runner who drank so much plain water her brain swelled. She survived, but her kidneys weren’t happy. So no, more is not always better.
Your body retains water better with electrolytes. If you’ve been sweating, eat a salty snack or add a pinch of salt to your water. Your cells will actually use it instead of flushing it out. You’re welcome.
How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?
