Anyone else struggling with drinking water now... - Couch to 5K

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Anyone else struggling with drinking water now it's cooler?

Allymally1 profile image
54 Replies

I’ve never particularly drank much water, much prefer a mug of tea! In the summer I made myself drink water but now it’s cooler it’s the last thing I want to drink, tried squash but still not feeling it! Any tips?

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Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1
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54 Replies
MJP458 profile image
MJP458

Sugar free Vimto with hot water, all day long at work 👌🏽

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to MJP458

Will have to try this!

I struggle with drinking water all year round so I make myself carry a reusable water bottle around with me to remind me to drink constantly. I’m still rubbish at it though 😆

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to

I have tried this still would have a cup of tea over water though!

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Not to sure . I still drink between 2-3 litres a day because I know it helps with my running 😊

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Buddy34

That's the only thing making me the struggle is real though! I wonder if fruit tea would count more as water?

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate in reply to Allymally1

Not sure. I know tea and coffee can make you pee more so then you're less hydrated. Not to sure about the fruit teas 😊

in reply to Allymally1

Some people squeeze a bit of fresh lemon or lime juice in to add flavour, it's a healthy option too.

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Allymally1

webmd.com/parenting/feature...

Check this out, tea and coffee count

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Grannyhugs

Thanks for the link , I feel better now. When not at work I am well hydrated however at work can be a very different story often end up very dehydrated despite best intentions, I'm afraid that is just one of those things. I try and add an extrarest day if I know I have not had enough fluid at work.

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Allymally1

Glad to bring good news. Run happy

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

Hi Allymally1 , I only ever drink water straight from the tap in Summer because it's too flippin cold in winter so I just keep a full water bottle with me all the time and at home I keep it out of the fridge, apparently water is easier to drink at room temperature, well it is for me 😉

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Mummycav

I have found this but the struggle against tea is real!

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Allymally1

I love tea too but try to have a glass of room temperature water with every mug of tea, tea can be the treat after the water. Another good way of getting water in and staying in is home made vegetable soup - saw it on documentary once. 2 groups, 1 water, 1 soup and soup group stayed better hydrated. Now everyone likes soup on cold days and fills you with goodness too.

Jacca profile image
JaccaGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs

I like the soup idea !!

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Jacca

I’ve posted link above to article listing all hydration sources. We don’t need to drink gallons of water

Jacca profile image
JaccaGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs

Thank god !! I’ve just been on the article you recommended so glad coffee’s ok not brill but counts!! also milk so my cheeky latte with my mum isn’t too bad either. I’m a little giddy now, obviously it doesn’t take much 😊

Smelliepoo profile image
SmelliepooGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs

I saw something g similar but about hunger and digestion. They fed 2 groups with the same meal, one on a plate with a glass of water and one with it all mixed together as a soup. The ones who ate the soup had fuller stomachs for longer and felt less hungry! Good news for hydration and stopping the munchie gremlins!

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate in reply to Smelliepoo

Soup is such a great winter meal. So many benefits. Happy running everyone then tasty soup for supper

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate in reply to Allymally1

Hahaha...I feel your pain..a brew and a rich tea wins every time!!!!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

A nurse once said to me that tea is good water is better, after discussing with my pharmacist daughter recently her take was that tea is only flavoured water, i seem to be well hydrated on lots of tea and the odd glass of water which i drink while waiting for the kettle to boil

Fruit teas that don’t contain any caffeine are better than ordinary tea but only if you like them enough to drink them

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to SueAppleRun

That makes me feel better, I sound much like you the odd glass of water but more tea!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate in reply to Allymally1

I think you will know by heavy legs if you are dehydrated

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

I think the thing that makes tea or coffee dehydrating is the caffeine. So I imagine even decaf tea would be better. Have you tried it? And for the same reason, the fruit or herbal/mint teas should be fine, although I don’t know what the other ingredients might do. Maybe do a bit of online research? Or ask the nurse in your surgery. When I was pregnant and couldn’t stand any caffeine at all, I learned there are many, many things you can add hot water to. 🤣 Orange juice, lemon & honey, any sort of cordial, etc.

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Granspeed

TBH caffeine doesn't seem to have a massive effect on me, I think mixing in the odd fruit tea/ hot blackcurrant maybe the way to go!

Smelliepoo profile image
SmelliepooGraduate in reply to Granspeed

I have been drinking decaf tea for a few years now and it is a good cuppa, as long as it is good fresh tea and not the ones that someone bought years ago and have been living at the back of the cupboard, they taste gross!

Him indoors thinks it tastes different, but I don't.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply to Smelliepoo

If you brew it right it's just in his head 🤣👍🏻

Smelliepoo profile image
SmelliepooGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

I would say that, but i have tried to seek it in to him and every single time he has noticed! He must have the taste buds of the gods!!

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply to Smelliepoo

I like PG decaf but it does need a full 5 min brewing time or it so noticeable!I have decaf after 3pm or even after 2 if I feel I've had too much tea already 🤣

Smelliepoo profile image
SmelliepooGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Always on the pg decaf (gives me anxiety and the shakes if I have caffeine!) but have just found out that the bags are still made of plastic!! May have to find an environmentally friendly alternative, but pg is my fave, so disappointed in them 😡

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply to Smelliepoo

🤔 maybe I should reduce my intake as I'm having more tea just now off work and my anxiety is worse.

That's a shame. I've always assumed they were more papery... I'll have a lo at that.

Annieapple profile image
AnnieappleAdministratorGraduate

I add lemon & mint 🌱 🍋 to mine

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Annieapple

Sounds nice will have to try this!

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao

Yes I don’t drink as much these days, just seems easier during summer :(

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to JaoJao

Agree totally!

Wenderwoo profile image
WenderwooGraduate

I struggle to drink ‘normal’ water, and much prefer a big mug of strong tea. But I quite like water with lime cordial - but it must be Rose’s lime cordial which is pricy compared with other cheaper brands. But it’s lovely and tangy, not too sweet. Also, I buy sparkling water which I don’t mind on it’s own, but it’s also nice with the lime cordial as well. But I tend to believe that any water based drink it fine, as long as it’s not alcohol of course, well not whilst running anyway....... 😂

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate in reply to Wenderwoo

😂😂😂

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Wenderwoo

I like sparkling water but trying to reduce plastic. Also the "gas "! doesn't always agree with me 😊😳

Jacca profile image
JaccaGraduate in reply to Allymally1

😂😂🤣🤣😭

in reply to Wenderwoo

Have you tried it whilst running? 😅

RunningMigster profile image
RunningMigsterGraduate

Never been a big fan of water. I've got better at it but I still struggle to get through a litre a day. However, the cold isnt a problem for me as the only way I can drink water is if its ice cold.

That said, I do drink about 2 litres of tea a day :-)

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to RunningMigster

I probably go through about the same amount of tea on days off!

Rigpig profile image
RigpigGraduate

I actually like water but forget to drink it. I know there are a lot of people who are ambivalent though. As I understand it any type of water is good. I start the day with a massive glass of hot water with lemon juice and set my Fitbit to remind me to drink a glass of water 5 times throughout the day. This is over and above the other drinks I may have and works well for me. I definitely feel better and more alert when I'm hydrated properly and my sleep improves also which was an unexpected benefit :-)

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Rigpig

Maybe I should try tracking more, good 💡

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Yes, it's just adjusting to the new season, all fluids count as do water heavy foods like melon/cucumber/fruits etc. 👍🏻

Plain water I struggle with but I like Tescos flavoured mineral water either strawberry or the new one; plum and pear.

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Plum and pear sounds good 👍

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate in reply to Allymally1

Its lovely and I don't mind it at any temp, cold is best but room temp is fine too

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

It’s less intuitive to drink water when it’s cold, so a pretty common issue. Bringing the water up to room temperature makes it easier for me, as well as having other benefits.

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to UnfitNoMore

This would have appeared to show I'm not on my own!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Allymally1

I used to struggle a lot... now I’m used to sipping water all day every day so it’s become a bit of a habit... must be years since I downed a glass though.

Portlandprincess profile image
PortlandprincessGraduate

I've been in Amsterdam for a few days the water tastes just fantastic. Its amazing how different water tastes...in different parts of the world. Manchester waters great too. Not helpful, just an observation.

Oldman51 profile image
Oldman51Graduate

I am curious as to how the hydration myth has become so ingrained on this forum. It would seem that the bottled water industry has achieved a good result! There is no advantage of water over low or no calorie drinks. This is supported by NHS Choices, who also support a daily intake of 1.2L a day of FLUID - NOT just water. But exercisers need more! Of course - but the advice in 'Runner's World' (17/10/18) was "If you’re thirsty, drink. If you’re not, don’t. Science will back you on this."

For the best debunking of the hydration myth, and the unwelcome involvement of the bottled water industry google Margaret McCartney. She is a Glasgow GP who writes in the BMJ. She is widely reported. Less well known is that she is a keen parkrunner!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate in reply to Oldman51

Fair enough, fluid is fluid, most of my intake is in the form of tea.

Generally speaking if your tongue is moist and your pee isn't like Lucozade you are ok.

Having said that I have never been someone who feels thirsty so I have to make myself drink.

I definitely feel the difference if I take on 1800mls or more the day before a run.

You are correct though, what we don't need, we pee!

Allymally1 profile image
Allymally1 in reply to Oldman51

I also find it interesting it can actually cause hyponatremia if excessive water is drank!

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